Evidence Based Practice and Research Methods

Question 1

What is evidence-based practise (EBP)?

Answer 1

Use of current best evidence in decision making about the care of individual patients. It encourages clinicians to combine this with their own expertise and patients values, influenced by the clinical context.

Question 2

EBP simplified:

Answer 2

• Best research evidence
• Clinical expertise
• Patients values and preferences
• Context

Question 3

5 steps for using EBP in clinical practice

Answer 3

1. Ask - a clinical question
2. Acquire - information that may answer the question
3. Appraise - the evidence for its quality and applicability
4. Apply - the evidence in the care of the patient
5. Assess - whether the application resulted in the expected outcomes

Question 4

What is the hierarchical ranking system?

Answer 4

An approach for evaluating evidence within the model of EBP

–> evidence is evaluated according to the research design that was used to generate it

Question 5

Limitations of hierarchical ranking system

Answer 5

• It may ignore some of the limitations of RCTs and neglect observational studies
• -> It can be hard to determine whether an RCT was correctly undertaken, and often presents conflicting findings
• May be based on determining whether the intervention worked as intended, rather than applicability to the real world
• Places qualitative evidence at the bottom of the hierarchy, undervaluing its contribution to EBP

Question 6

What is ontology?

Answer 6

• Asks the question ‘what is reality?’

Question 7

Types of ontology:

Answer 7

1. There is only 1 single reality or truth
2. There are multiple realities
3. Reality is constantly debated, negotiated or interpreted

Question 8

What is epistemology?

Answer 8

• Refers to how an individual understands knowledge, how they understand their own thinking process and how they think others know
• Asks the question ‘how can I know reality?’

Question 9

Types of epistemology:

Answer 9

1. Knowledge can be measured using reliable designs and tools
2. Reality needs to be interpreted to discover the underlying meaning
3. Knowledge should be examined using the best tools to solve the problem

Question 10

What is a research paradigm?

Answer 10

• A holistic view of how you understand knowledge

- -> combining ontology and epistemology

Question 11

What is positivism?

Answer 11

• The belief that there is one single reality or truth & knowledge can be measured

Question 12

What is constructivism?

Answer 12

• The belief that there are multiple realities & reality needs to be interpreted

Question 13

What is pragmatism?

Answer 13

• The belief that reality is constantly debated, negotiated and interpreted & knowledge should be examined using the best tools

Question 14

What paradigm does mixed-method research adopt?

Answer 14

• A pragmatic paradigm as it considers both quantitative and qualitative research methods

Question 15

What is qualitative research?

Answer 15

• Obtaining an understanding of the world from an individual or social groups perspective
• Often involves interviewing people to understand their perspective and data is in the form of words

Question 16

What is quantitative research?

Answer 16

• Finds about the relationships between variables or to quantify how common a phenomenon is
• Often collected using standard measures and data gathered are quantifiable and statistical, using counts and measures

Question 17

What is a mixed-methods research?

Answer 17

• involves collecting, analysing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data in a single study

Question 18

4 components in a research study

Answer 18

1. the research objective
2. type of data and operations
3. type of analysis
4. type of inference

Question 19

What are the main differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches?

Answer 19

1. L = words; N = numbers
2. L = participants point of view; N = researchers point of view
3. L = less structured; N = structured
4. L = contextual understanding; N = generalisation

Question 20

What paradigms are linked to qualitative research?

Answer 20

• Constuctivist

- Interpretivist

Question 21

Qualitative methods details:

Answer 21

• Based in inductive reasoning
• Allows researchers to develop a particular and conceptual understanding
• Seeks to understand the subjective meaning of phenomena –> collected in the setting of everyday life

Question 22

Advantages of qualitative research

Answer 22

1. Flexibility in thinking: researchers are less likely to become stuck in conventional ways of thinking
2. Flexibility in the research process: researchers can adjust their approach in their interpretation of data
3. Rich description: presents rich, subjective experience, with findings based on an empathetic understanding of the participants
4. Validity: high on internal validity as they draw on the understanding of research participants

Question 23

Disadvantages of qualitative research

Answer 23

1. Observer bias: researchers construct the categories
2. Lack on consensus: researchers disagree among themselves or over methods
3. Lack of focus: research Q can sometimes be too broad
4. Lack of generalizability: research undertaken with a small number of participants
5. Poor replication
6. Cost: costly in terms of time

Question 24

What paradigm does quantitative methods link to?

Answer 24

Positivist

Question 25

Quantitative methods details:

Answer 25

• Based on logical, deductive reasoning
• Employed based on the principles of the scientific method, therefore are objective and structured
• Aim to describe a phenomenon, explain the relationship between variables and predict relationships and differences among variables

Question 26

Advantages of quantitative research

Answer 26

1. Measurement: being able to demonstrate quantity is a powerful tool in producing data on phenomena in the natural world
2. Rigour: methods adopted by quantitative researchers are transparent
3. Internal validity: methods are able to explain phenomena with independent and dependent variables explaining cause and effect

Question 27

Disadvantages of quantitative research

Answer 27

1. The social world is different from the natural world and cannot be studied objectively in the same way
2. Measures used by positivist researchers are artificial, measuring constructs of the researcher and not life as it is lived by respondents
3. Surveys often only measure responses at a single point in time (people can change)
4. Less effective at determining why people act as they do

Question 28

What are the values of ethical conduct in research?

Answer 28

1. Respect for human beings
2. Research merit and integrity
3. Justice
4. Beneficence

Question 29

What does research merit and integrity mean?

Answer 29

• It is expected that research is designed using methods appropriate for achieving aims and based on study of current literature

Question 30

For research to align with the principle of justice, you need to check:

Answer 30

1. That the process of recruiting participants is fair;
2. That there is no unfair burden of participation in research on particular groups;
3. That there is fair distribution of the benefits of participation in research;
4. That there is no exploitation of participants in the conduct of research; and
5. There is fair access to the benefits of research.

Question 31

In terms of beneficence, researchers are responsible for:

Answer 31

1. Designing the research to minimise the risks of harm or discomfort to participants;
2. Clarifying for participants the potential benefits and risks of the research; and
3. The welfare of the participants in the research context.