Research Overview Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 3 different ways of knowing something

A

1) faith
2) reason
3) science

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define faith

A
  • knowing based on theological or religious beliefs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define reason

A
  • knowing based on rational discourse; logic, argument, philosophical proof
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define science

A
  • knowing based on empirical evidence; assumptions of linearity, probability, & ability to measure an objective reality
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is scientific paradigm based on

A
  • trust in reason, logic, rigorous research methodology, a belief in progress, and academic freedom
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define research

A
  • is the careful, logical, and systematic process of investigation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define empirical research

A
  • is an approach to problem solving in which decisions are based on data from observations/experiments, data analysis, results, findings/conclusions established, and results influence future research
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define applied research

A
  • offers direct clinical applicability
  • can be in lab or non-lab settings designed to replicate authentic & functioning environments
  • goal is to provide direct solutions to practical problems & contribute to theory-based knowledge
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define basic research

A
  • little direct clinical application
  • takes place in a controlled lab
  • goal is to address theoretical issues or to explain questions in basic science
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Limits to research

A
  • answers to research questions are only as good as the questions asked
  • data collected is only as accurate as the tools & methods used to collect it
  • results of research are only as accurate as the statistical analyses used to test it
  • research is limited by (& dependent upon) the accuracy, validity, & reliability of each step in the process
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Define reliability

A
  • an experiment where you can repeat it many times & get all results close to one another
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define validity

A
  • does my procedure experiment actually test the hypothesis that I want it to
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe research

A
  • lends supportive evidence about the nature of relationships among variables
  • is a process of investigation, determining how one variable affects or influences another
  • is planned & procedural
  • a deliberate series of steps completed in an exact order to confirm precise measurements
  • is subject to & intended for replication in order to be reliable & valid
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Studying research allows you to

A
  • understand how to find possible answers to a question
  • understand why actual steps in inserting the question are important
  • provide a framework for the process of acquiring knowledge through problem solving
  • learn how to apply research methods in realistic circumstances
  • learn how to follow an evidence-based approach to problem solving
  • allow well informed decision-making in clinical practice
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is not research

A
  • case studies
  • just sharing observations
  • if I have a question & use case studies to answer it
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Role of theory in research

A
  • theory can be a goal or guide to research
  • the role of theory in research is to provide a frame of reference
  • answers that result from research are formulated into theory
  • theory is a tentative explanation for the facts & findings that evolve from the research process
  • theory is used to guide & direct future research
17
Q

How do parents choose a treatment for their child with autism

A
  • recommendation by pediatrician or other doctor
  • school
  • other parent
  • internet, book
18
Q

What is evidence based practice

A
  • a process whereby research evidence, clinical knowledge & reasoning are used to make decisions about interventions that are effective for a specific client(s)
19
Q

Describe empirical evidence

A
  • the phase “evidence-based practice” is used in reference to establishing performance procedures & techniques derived from empirical research rather than clinical traditions based on anecdotal proof of effectiveness
  • findings from empirical research are interpreted, applied, & integrated into clinical practice
20
Q

Why is evidence based practice important

A
  • clinical decisions can be clearly explained & justified to clients & their families
  • demonstrate interventions are clinically & cost effective to colleagues, managers, & administration
  • maintaining & improving therapists knowledge base & the evidence base of PT for the future
21
Q

Stages of the scientific research process

A

1) identify a topic
2) search & review the literature
3) define a topic
4) state a general question or problem
5) phrase an operationally defined hypothesis
6) plan the methods to test the hypothesis
7) collect data
8) analyze data & interpret the results
9) write about the findings

22
Q

Describe stage 1: identify a topic

A
  • choose a subject/topic that interests you
  • start with a general topic & then narrow it down to a more specific topic
  • stay open-minded
23
Q

Describe stage 2: search & review the literature

A
  • begin with a board, general search
  • as the search narrows, the topic will become more defined
24
Q

Describe stage 3: define a topic

A
  • decide on a particular & detailed issue or question
  • avoid vagueness & lack of clarity
  • the topic will direct the formation of your problem statement
25
Q

Describe stage 4: state general question or problem

A
  • the problem statement is a deliberate & understandable explanation that expresses the question or issue of interest in definite terms
  • the problem statement should be one sentence long
  • it formally announces the intention or reason for your investigation
  • it clearly states the main topic & point of the study
  • it briefly notes the “what” & “why” of the experiment
  • if the purpose cannot be explained in 30 secs or fewer, then the topic & problem statement have not been clearly defined
26
Q

Describe stage 5: phrase an operationally defined hypothesis

A
  • the operationally defined research hypothesis is logically connected to the topic & links directly to the statement of the problem
  • the purpose of the research hypothesis is to depict the expected connection among or between variables of interest
  • it’s considered “operationally defined” bc it must follow operational definitions stated for words or phrases that might be used differently from their usual or explicit meanings
27
Q

Describe stage 6: plan the methods to test the hypothesis

A
  • search & review existing literature to provide perspective on how similar questions or problems have been examined in the past & help in planning the methods to test the hypothesis of the current study
  • the methods must focus on the variables of interest & how these variables will be measured or evaluated so as to best answer the research question
  • research questions drive the research methods & the methods need to be flexible, broad, & available for clinic use
28
Q

Describe stage 7: data collection

A
  • information about the variables of interest is carefully gathered & documented
  • the methods & procedures for collecting the data have been planned; it is during this stage that the methods & procedures are followed & carried out
29
Q

Describe stage 8: data analysis & interpretation of results

A
  • keep in mind the general question that was being asked or the problem that was being addressed in. the study or experiment
  • statistics are used to merge research methods & data analysis at the same time & at every level of the research process; this helps generate clinically significant research questions
30
Q

Describe stage 9: writing about the findings

A
  • if something of interest was measured, what was the outcome
  • how did one variable influence or change another
  • regardless of the results, it is important to stick to the facts & report what was found
31
Q

What is empirical research

A
  • it is a problem solving method for decision making
32
Q

What are evidence based clinical practices based on

A
  • based on tested relationships & logical, deductive reasoning
33
Q

What does research lend

A
  • it lends supportive evidence for already existing relationships b/w variables
34
Q

Research does/does not prove anything

A
  • does not
35
Q

What must happen for research to be reliable

A
  • research results must be repeatable
36
Q

What should problem statements do

A
  • they should formally announce the intention of the research question
37
Q

Evidence based practice is the process by which

A
  • decisions about clinical practice are supported by research