Research Introduction

Question 1

Health Research

Answer 1

Systematic and principled way of obtaining evidence for solving health care problems and investigating heath issues.

Question 2

Systematic and principled way of obtaining evidence (Health Research)

Answer 2

Systematic: Researchers follow a sequential process.
Principled: Generally carried out according to explicit rules - rules or principles constitute the method.

Question 3

Anecdotal evidence

Answer 3

Evidence collected in a casual or informal manner and
relying heavily or entirely on personal testimony
- Story told by individuals.
Driven by emotion and presented by individuals who
are not subject area experts.

Question 4

Characteristics of Research

Answer 4

• It demands a clear statement of the problem.
• It requires a plan (it is not aimlessly “ looking” for something in the hope that you will come across a solution).
• It builds on existing data, using both positive and negative findings.
• New data collected and organized in a way that answers the research question(s).

Question 5

Validity

Answer 5

Correct procedures have been applied to find answers to a question.
Internal/External

Question 6

Reliability

Answer 6

Quality of a measurement procedure that provides repeatability and accuracy.

Question 7

Unbiased and Objective

Answer 7

Each step in an unbiased manner and drawn each conclusion to the best of your ability and without introducing your own interest.

Question 8

Philosophy of Knowing

Answer 8

• Considering different perspectives.
• Framework of a set of philosophies (research approaches).
• Uses methods that have been tested for their validity and reliability.
• Is designed to be unbiased and objective.

Question 9

Research can be:

Answer 9

• Explanatory
• Descriptive
• Exploratory

Question 10

Explanatory Research

Answer 10

Usually quantitative.

To establish relationships and / or make predictions.

Question 11

Descriptive Research

Answer 11

E.g. case reports, large scale surveys (focus more on “what” instead of “why”).

Question 12

Exploratory

Answer 12

Usually qualitative.

To find out what the issues are.

Question 13

How many patients do not receive care according to scientific evidence?

Answer 13

30-40%

Question 14

All evidence must be assessed for:

Answer 14

• Its applicability to the situation.
• Service-user.
• Clinical decision.

Question 15

The 5 steps of Evidence-Based Medicine

Answer 15

1. Convert the need for information in a relevant and answerable question.
2. Find the best evidence to answer the question.
3. Appraise the evidence for its validity and usefulness.
4. Apply the evidence to clinical practice.
5. Evaluate + disseminate.

Question 16

Hierarchy of Scientific Evidence

Answer 16

1. Meta analysis and systematic reviews
2. Randomized controlled trials
3. Cohort studies
4. Case-control studies
5. Cross sectional studies
6. Animal trials and in vitro studies
7. Case reports, opinion papers and letters

Question 17

Efficacy

Answer 17

Extent to which intervention produces beneficial outcomes under ideally controlled/laboratory circumstances.
Can it work?

Question 18

Efficiency

Answer 18

Extent to which the balance between input (costs) and outputs (outcomes) on interventions represents.
Value for money.

Question 19

Effectiveness

Answer 19

Extent to which an intervention produces a beneficial outcome under day to day circumstances.
Does it work?

Question 20

Experience

Answer 20

What is the experience of people receiving/delivering the intervention/living with a certain condition/situation?
Perspectives

Question 21

Internal Validity

Answer 21

A study or measure tests what it is supposed to test.

Does it measure what I need it to measure.

Question 22

External Validity

Answer 22

The results of a study can be applied to populations

beyond those studied.