Questioning the Research Question: A Collapsing House of Cards

Hey readers!

After some extensive meetings with Mrs. Haag last week (thank you so much, Mrs. Haag), I figured out how to organize my literature review in a logical and cohesive order compared to my previous blogpost. I came into this class with a set way of thinking about my research from my previous work, which was governing how I wrote my outline. I was having difficulty considering how someone new to the research needed the information presented to understand it.

RIP Bird Gang

Much like the Cardinals this past week, I felt like I had so many chances to win -- to make a great outline -- but I fell short. I threw an interception in the red zone (I'm looking directly at you, Carson Palmer). I couldn't pick up a forced fumble and ended up kicking it out of bounds (Ehem, Tyrann Mathieu). At least I didn't have any fans to disappoint (Wait, but are you, my blog readers, the fans in this complex and extraneous metaphor? In that case, I'm sorry!). Now, the focus moves on to redemption -- the LA Rams and an official literature review outline due 10/7.

In the meantime, I am forming my preliminary research question based on the information I have compiled and the gaps in the research I have found. Here's what I envision for my research question: "To what extent is HemaDrop™ a viable method for determining blood composition by making a uniform, solid, and analyzable film from microliters of blood?"

Here why I decided on this question:

1. Scope: The scope of my research has been quite narrow from the beginning, as I am working  on a specific technology (HemaDrop™). Additionally, this research doesn't start out with the aim to create the perfect formulation of HemaDrop. Instead, the goal is to assess the efficacy of the technology in its current form and provide potential improvements based on the conversation between the literature and the results of the feasibility experiments. In this way, the final product of my research will not be judged exactly on if I create a successful product for microliter blood analysis, as much more will be required than the scope of an AP Research project. 
2. Key Terms:
• HemaDrop™: method for solid-based microliter blood analysis 
• Viable: Provide necessary quantitative information about blood composition including elemental and molecular composition, as a flexible method for creating samples for different techniques. 
• Uniform: different spots on the sample should not yield different compositions. 
• Solid: Only solid films are analyzable in vacuum, which is what most techniques require 
3. Variables: For my experiments, I am testing the viability of the analysis based on the quantitative results. This is the response variable. In my research, the explanatory variable are the properties of the substrate (composition, coating, etc) and the analysis technique. Based on the substrate properties, once the composition of the blood or saline solution is determined, the composition values of they are known could be used to compute the accuracy of the measurements, along with the error. 
4. Research-ability: I had some researchability concerns about the amount of analysis techniques I would have to look into, since I envision my methods creating a bunch of samples prepared in different ways (e.g., type of coating, substrate, etc.). There would be far too many combinations to test. For this reason, after talking to Dr. Herbots (my mentor), I will test 3, or a maximum of 4, analysis techniques (the best ones I determine based on the literature review). I have several sources which describe the advantages and limitations of the analysis techniques. By limiting the number of analysis techniques I will examine, I can make sure that the experiments I conduct are not too many, but also capture the full complexity of the research to come to an insightful conclusion. I see myself answering the question by comparing the results (accuracy, precision, etc) of using analysis techniques on various samples with canine blood, saline, and human blood. The comparison of these techniques will demonstrate how viable HemaDrop substrates are for making a uniform film of blood that can be analyzed by a variety of techniques.
5. Gap: There has been no successful implementation of microliter blood analysis thus far. Theranos has attempted liquid microliter blood analysis, but failed. The limitations of milliliter blood analysis create a clear need for microliter blood analysis, so a clear gap exists in the biomedical industry and in the care for patients. This research aims to fill this void and successfully perform microliter blood analysis. By applying concepts like superhydrophilicity and vacuum-based analysis techniques, HemaDrop aims to create a uniform analyzable film of blood from drops.
6. Significance: The signficance of this research is the creation of microliter blood analysis. The reduced volumes of blood is reduced discomfort in patients who undergo blood testing. Additionally, the problem of hospital-acquired anemia will also be mitigated in critically ill patients. By using less blood, doctors also can test patients more often to assess their diagnosis and monitor their conditions. Finally, the cost of microliter blood analysis will be less than milliliter blood analysis. 

Let's get back to the NFC Championship Game and back to rolling with research!

Cheers,

YP

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