Mixed Methods Research & Ethics Flashcards
List the steps involved in evidence-based practice.
the 5 ‘As’ strategy:
Ask- a clinical question
Acquire- information that may answer the question
Appraise- the evidence for its quality and applicability
Apply- the evidence in the care of the patient alongside clinical expertise
Assess- whether the application resulted in the expected outcomes
What is the hierarchal ranking system for evidence?
A system that ranks evidence based on its research design to tell us whether it is strong evidence or not.
Systematic reviews of RCT’s is the best.
RCT’s are next.
Weakest designs are opinion/reports from authorities of expert committees and single descriptive or qualitative studies.
What are some limitations of the heirachical system?
they ignore the limitations of RCT’s and neglect observational studies
some argue that it is based solely on effectiveness of a treatment without thought for feasibility or appropriateness of interventions
it undervalues qualitative research
Two major research paradigms are positivism and interpretism.
Explain the similarities or differences between them with respect to truth/reality, data and methods.
positivism says there is one objective reality that can be assessed by research whereas interpretivism says that there is no one objective reality and it is impossible to conduct research to understand peoples perceptions/experiences without being influenced by our own subjectivities.
interpretivism uses qualitative data and methods
positivism used quantitative data and methods
What does the paradigm pragmatism tell us?
that knowledge is based on both the reality of the world we live and our own experiences. In other words in combines features of both interpretivism and positivism.
It is the foundation of mixed-methods research.
Advantages of qualitative research?
a) Flexibility in thinking: researchers are less likely to become stuck in conventional ways of thinking.
b) Flexibility in the research process: researchers can adjust their approach in their interpretation of data.
c) Rich description: qualitative methods present rich, subjective experience, with findings based on an empathetic understanding of the research participants.
d) Compensation: qualitative methods can be used to investigate areas where quantitative methods are inappropriate or where little is known.
e) Validity: qualitative methods are high on internal validity as they draw on the understanding of research participants.
Disadvantages of qualitative research?
a) Observer bias: researchers construct the categories.
b) Lack of consensus: qualitative researchers disagree among themselves over methods.
c) Lack of focus: research questions can sometimes be too broad.
d) Lack of generalisability: research is undertaken with a small number of participants.
e) Poor replication: studies are not replicable.
f) Cost: qualitative studies are costly in terms of time.
Advantages of quantitative research?
a) Measurement: being able to demonstrate quantity is a powerful tool in producing data on phenomena in the natural and social world.
b) Rigour: methods adopted by quantitative researchers are transparent.
c) Internal validity: methods are able to explain phenomena with independent and dependent variables explaining cause and effect.
d) Generalisability: the findings of the study can be generalised to a large population.
e) Replicability: quantitative research studies should be able to be replicated by others.
Disadvantages of quantitative research?
a) The social world is different from the natural world and cannot be studied objectively in the same way as objects in the natural world.
b) Measures used by positivist researchers are artificial, measuring the constructs of the researcher and not life as it is lived by respondents (e.g quantitative research is made under controlled circumstances that often do not match real life situations).
c) Surveys often only measure responses at a single point in time, but people have the capacity for change and self-reflection.
d) Positivist methods are less effective at determining why people act as they do.
Name some ethical values necessary for maintaining ethical practises during research.
respect for human beings (having due regard for the welfare, beliefs, perceptions, customs and cultural heritage of participants)
research merit & integrity (research activities must be justifiable by its potential benefit and use appropriate methods for achieving this)
justice (the selection, exclusion and inclusion of participants is fair and accurately described)
beneficence (the likely benefit of the research must justify any risks of harm or discomfort to participants)
What are some key ethical considerations when conducting research?
voluntary participation (informed consent)
risk of harm to participants (physical and/or mental) - conducting a risk assessment to identify likelihood & consequence of risks and mitigation strategies
anonymity and confidentiality
who will be directly impacted by this research study
who will be indirectly impacted by this research study (i.e. families, school, workplace)
whether the participants are part of a vulnerable population
