Lecture #2 Flashcards
building blocks of research
investigations involve RESEARCHERS and PARTICIPANTS (quant. = SUBJECTS
qual. = INFORMANTS)
disciplined research
a study that is regulated by criteria for conducting the research to create knowledge - BEST METHOD OF ACQUIRING RELIABLE KNOWLEDGE
concept
abstraction (no physical manifestations)
abstract idea, mental construction
phenomena
abstractions (concepts) inferred from people’s behaviors or characteristics
observed fact or situation
measurable or able to isolate
central nursing concepts
health, nursing care, environment, person
theory
explanation of some aspect of reality, linked by relationships used to describe/explain some aspect of the world
inductive reasoning pathway
specific observation –> pattern recognition –> general conclusion
deductive reasoning pathway
existing theory > formulate hypothesis > collect data > analyze data > do/don’t reject hypothesis
types of research reports
presentations at professional conferences
- oral presentations
- poster sessions
*allow for networking and dialogue
journal articles
oral presentations
10-20 min, describe key features of study
poster sessions
simultaneous presentation of visual summary displays
journal aricles
published in professional journals, usually peer-reviewed (blind)
examples:
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)
The Lancet
The Canada Communicable Disease Report (CCDR)
critical thinking vs. critical reading
THINKING: rational examination of ideas, inferences, assumptions, principles, arguments, conclusions, issues, beliefs, statements, and actions.
Involves disciplined, self-directed thinking
READING; active engaging reading, entering the point of view of the writer
critical reading process
- preliminary process: (familiarize)
1) skim article
2) identify concepts
3) clarify unfamiliar terms - comprehensive process: (purpose)
1) identify main theme
2) identify steps of research design
3) clarify unfamiliar terms (cont.) - analytical process: (study parts, early critique)
1) asses study value for your own needs
2) evaluate validity and applicability - synthesis process: (understanding, context)
1) understand whole article and steps
2) use own words to describe
3) identify strengths and weaknesses
content of journal articles (IMRAD)
title / abstract
introduction
method
results
and discussion
references
steps to E.B.P.
critical reading
critical thinking
read wisely
understand scientific principles
consume knowledge intelligently
develop E.B. interventions
title
Succinctly conveys key information.
Qualitative studies: includes the central phenomenon and specific individuals under investigation
Quantitative studies: communicates key variables and the population (PICO)
abstract
brief description of the study (<250 words)
introduction
research problem and context, rationale behind the study - immediately follows abstract always
describes:
- central phenomena, issues/problems, concepts, or variables under study
- study purpose and research questions or hypotheses
- a review of the related literature
- theoretical or conceptual framework
- significance of and need for the study
method
Describes the methods used to answer the research questions
quantitative study:
- research design →
- sampling plan– the setting of the study, criteria for participant recruitment
- methods of measuring variables and collecting data
- study procedures, including procedures to protect human rights
- data analysis methods
qualitative study:
- more setting information, more study background
- described researcher efforts to enhance study integrity
results
Presents the findings that were obtained by analyzing the study data
summary of key findings (tables or charts for detailed info summary)
all results sections contain descriptive information, including a description of the participants
quantitative study:
- name of statistical tests used (probability of accurate results, hypothesis testing)
- value of calculated statistics (computer-calculated)
- statistical significance (probably true if significant - levels of significance = HOW probable)
qualitative study:
- organized based on themes/processes/categories identifies in data
- raw data excerpts (quotes)
- may present emerging theories about phenomena
discussion
conclusions about the meaning and implications of the findings
- Interpretation of the results
- Clinical and research implications
- Study limitations and credibility of the results
*shows researcher took flaws into account when interpreting results: a good sign
difficulties in reading research articles
compactness, jargon, objectivity, statistical information
research critique
research critique
Objective assessment of a study’s strengths and limitations
- accuracy, believability, relevance
- appraise conceptual and methodological decisions
key research challenges
quantitative = reliable and valid
qualitative = trustworthy
inference
conclusion drawn from the study evidence using logical reasoning and taking into account the methods used to generate that evidence
reliability
accuracy and CONSISTENCY of obtained information
validity
soundness of evidence – whether findings are convincing and well-grounded. The validity question is whether the methods are really MEASURING the concepts that they claim to measure
trustworthiness
credibility, transferability, confirmability, dependability, authenticity
triangulation
use of multiple sources or referents to draw conclusions about what constitutes the truth
- ups credibility
bias
distortion or influence that results in an error in inference
examples:
- pt lies
- researcher preconceptions
- placebo
- faulty design
- faulty measurement
research control
mostly quantitative
keeping the outcome variable (dependent variable) constant so that the true relationship between the independent variable and the outcome variable can be understood
- eliminated contaminating factors/confounding variables
randomness
mostly quantitative
Allowing certain aspects of the study to be left to chance rather than to researcher or participant choice
blinding
mostly quantitative
prevent biases stemming from people’s awareness
concealing information from participants, data collectors, or care providers to enhance objectivity
reflexivity
mostly qualitative, but used in both
critical and careful consideration of how personal values could affect data collection and interpretation
reflective about decisions made during the inquiry, and to record their thoughts in personal diaries and memos
generalizability
mostly quantitative
assess the extent to which the findings can be applied
- strong reliability and validity
transferability
qualitative
extent to which findings can be transferred to other settings
An important mechanism for promoting transferability is the amount of rich descriptive information qualitative researchers provide about the research context or study background so that others can make inferences about contextual similarities
evidence heirarchy
- systematic review
- RTC (trtmnt group, control group)
- non-randomized trial (quasi-experiment)
cause-and-effect search - prospective/cohort study (non-experiment)
- case-control study
- cross-sectional study (descriptive)
- in-depth qualitative study
- expert opinion, case report
evidence heirarchy
