Basic Research Concepts

Question 1

Evidence-Based Practice

Answer 1

Making clinical decisions based on the best available evidence

• Open and thoughtful decision-making
• Integrates evidence with clinical judgement and patient values
• Patient centered

Question 2

Barriers to Implementation of EBP

Answer 2

• Time commitment
• Interpreting Statistics
• Appraise/critique evidence
• Search Strategies

In that order

Question 3

Clinical Research

Answer 3

Structured investigation of clinical decisions and outcomes used to generate evidence for decision making and improving methods of practice

Question 4

Evidence Pyramid

Answer 4

1. In vitro
2. Animal/Bench
3. Ideas/editorials/opinions
4. Case reports - retrospective
5. Case series - retrospective
6. Case Control - retrospective
7. Cohort - prospective
8. Randomized Controlled - prospective
9. Meta-analysis & Systematic Reviews

Question 5

Evidence Hierarchy

Answer 5

1a - Systematic Review of RCTs

1b - Individual RCT

2a - Systematic Review of Cohort Studies

2b - Individual Cohort Study

3a - Systematic Review of Case-Control Studies

3b - Individual Case-Control Study

4 - Case Series

5 - Bench research, animal studies, expert opinion

Question 6

Outcomes

Answer 6

Tests and measures obtained for purpose of judging change

Question 7

Characteristics of desirable outcome measures

Answer 7

• Quantifiable
• Standardized
• Reliable and Valid
• Responsive

clinimetric properties

Question 8

Sources of Knowledge

Answer 8

• Tradition - lowest source of knowledge
• Authority - “guru-based”
• Trial and Error - not systematic and hard to share
• Logical Reasoning - deductive and inductive
• Scientific Method

Question 9

Deductive vs Inductive Reasoning

Answer 9

• Deductive - General observation to specific conclusion
• Inductive - Specific to general

Question 10

Scientific Method (in sources of knowledge)

Answer 10

• Most rigorous process for acquiring knowledge
• Incorporates deductive and inductive reasoning
• systemic, ordered
• empirical
• controlled

Question 11

Basic vs Applied Research

Answer 11

• Basic - acquisition of knowledge, “bench” research
• Applied - solving problems or questions and testing theories that direct practice

Translational - bedside to bench and back to bedside

Question 12

Continuum of Research

Answer 12

1. Descriptive - Describes populations (case reports, normative research, developmental research)
2. Exploratory - Find Relationships (case-control study, cohort study)
3. Experimental - Cause & effect (randomized controlled trials)

Question 13

Research Process

Answer 13

1. Research Question
2. Research Design
3. Methods
4. Data Analysis
5. Communication