Session 2

Question 1

Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative methods

Answer 1

Quantitative - collection of numerical date e.g. RCT, questionnaire, cohort and case control studies, cross sectional surveys
Qualitative - make sense of phenomena, emphasises meaning, experience and views of respondents, insight into behaviour e.g. observation and ethnography, interviews, focus groups, documents

Question 2

Describe observation and ethnography, interviews, focus groups and documents

Answer 2

Observation and ethnography - studying human behaviour in its natural context
Interviews - prompt guide, clear agenda, conversational, emphasis on participants giving perspective
Focus groups - establish parameters, access group based, collective understanding of issues, need homogenous group and good facilitator
Documents - independent evidence –> analysis of secondary data

Question 3

Describe the pros and cons of quantitative research methods

Answer 3

++ - describing, measuring e.g. patterns, finding relationships, allowing comparisons
– - may force people into inappropriate categories, can’t express in way they want, may not access all important information, may not establish causality

Question 4

Describe the pros and cons of qualitative research methods

Answer 4

++ - explains relationships, understanding perspective, accessing information
– - finding consistent relationships, generalisability

Question 5

Identify appropriate study designs for different types of research questions

Answer 5

Topic/research question
Research team’s preference/expertise
Time and money available
Finders and/or audience

Question 6

Define the term ‘evidence based practice’

Answer 6

The integration of individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systemic research

Question 7

Describe some difficulties of getting evidence into practise

Answer 7

Doctors don’t know about evidence
Doctors know about but don’t use evidence
Organisational systems can’t support innovation
Commissioning decisions reflect different priorities
Resources not available to implement change

Question 8

Offer a critical perspective of getting evidence into practise

Answer 8

Practical:
Impossible to create and maintain systematic reviews across all specialties
Challenging/expensive to implement
RCTs are gold standard but not always feasible/desirable
Choice of outcomes often biomedical –> limit funding
Philosophical:
Aggregate, population based outcomes don’t mean success for an individual
EBM to create ‘unreflective rule followers’ out of professionals
Legitimising rationing –> undermine trust in doctor/patient relationship
Professional responsibility/autonomy

Question 9

Describe a range of social science methods for investigating health and illness

Answer 9

Quantitative

Qualitative