Methods and Evidence

Question 0

What are some of the problems with quantitative research methods?

Answer 0

Force people into inappropriate categories
Don’t allow for expression
May not be effective in establishing causality

Question 1

What are quantitative research methods good at?

Answer 1

Describing
Measuring
Finding relationships between things
Allowing comparisons

Question 2

With regards to questionnaires, define ‘valid’ and ‘reliable’

Answer 2

Valid: the questionnaire measures what it is supposed to measure

Reliable: the questionnaire measures things consistently - differences in results come from differences between participants

Question 3

What are qualitative research methods good at?

Answer 3

Understanding the perspective of an individual

Explaining relationships between individuals

Question 4

What are the problems with qualitative research methods?

Answer 4

Not good at finding consistent relationships between variables
Cannot infer population wide conclusions from the views of a few individuals.

Question 5

Give three PRACTICAL criticisms of the evidence based practice movement

Answer 5

Hard to maintain systematic reviews across all specialities
Not always possible to conduct an RCT
Requires ‘good faith’ from pharmaceutical companies

Question 6

Give three PHILOSOPHICAL criticisms of the evidence based practice movement

Answer 6

Population level outcomes may not apply to individuals
May make professionals ‘unreflective rule followers’
Questions professional autonomy

Question 7

Describe three difficulties of getting evidence into practice

Answer 7

The resources might not be available to implement the change
Evidence exists but doctors don’t know about it
Organisations struggle to support innovation