Week 1

Question 1

Research is:

Answer 1

The ordered set of activities focused on the systematic collection of information using accepted methods of analysis as a basis for drawing conclusions and making recommendations

Research = finding evidence

Question 2

Research process

Answer 2

The search for knowledge

A systematic investigation to establish facts

Relies on the application of the scientific method

Driven by curiosity

Produces data information intelligence (theories) to explain things The search for knowledge

A systematic investigation to establish facts

Relies on the application of the scientific method

Driven by curiosity

Produces data information intelligence (theories) to explain things

Question 3

Process

Answer 3

Starts with curiosity
Then find out what is already out there
Identify the knowledge and gaps 
Form the research question
Figure out the research design (methodology)
Collect the data (data collection)
Analyze the data (results)
Convert the results into practical applications (discussion)
Report the research (article)

Question 4

Curiosity

Answer 4

What is your “information need?”

What exactly do you want to know or know about

Question 5

What are you curious about?

Answer 5

Start by thinking about what it is you want to know from your initial ‘search’

What is happening here? What are the patient’s experiences? Why are things done this way? I wonder what would happen if …? What is the effect of …?

Question 6

Then find out what is already out there

Answer 6

Comprehensive literature review
Lets you stand on the shoulders of others
Research can fix the world later, not with one study
Contributes to cumulative knowledge

Avoid accidental re-invention
(although conscious replication is tenable)

If you steal from one author, it’s plagiarism; if you steal from many, it’s research

Question 7

Literature review

Answer 7

A literature review locates, examines & describes published materials

Question 8

Common characteristics of a lit review

Answer 8

Reviews published literature, implying that included materials possess some degree of permanence

Possibly articles were subject to a peer-review process

Generallyinvolves some process for identifying materials for
Potential inclusion
Synthesizing them in textual, tabular or graphical form and
Making some analysis of their contribution or value

Question 9

Lit review–>Gap Analysis

Answer 9

Gaps discovered through reviewing the literature

The research domain

Theories

Research techniques

The knowledge

Question 10

Overview Review

Answer 10

A simple summary of the literature

Surveys the literature and describe its findings

Question 11

Scoping review

Answer 11

Provides a preliminary assessment of the potential size and scope of available research literature

Aims to identify the nature and extent of research evidence

Question 12

Critical review

Answer 12

Demonstrates that the writer has extensively researched the literature & critically evaluated its quality

Goes beyond mere description of identified articles and includes a degree of analysis and conceptual innovation

Presents, analyses and synthesizes material

Provides an opportunity to ‘take stock’ and evaluate what is of value from the existing body of work

Usually produces a hypothesis or a model, not an answer

Question 13

Meta-analysis

Answer 13

Statistically combines the results of quantitative studies to provide a more precise effect of the results

Question 14

Systematic review

Answer 14

Systematically searches for, appraises and synthesises research evidence, often adhering to the guidelines on the conduct of a review provided by the Cochrane Collaboration

Quantitative literature

Typically addresses broad questions and the result is a ‘best evidence’ statement

Question 15

Qualitative systematic review / Meta-synthesis

Answer 15

Integrates or compares findings from qualitative studies

May lead to the development of a new theory, an overarching ‘narrative’, a wider generalization or an ‘interpretative translation’

Looks for ‘themes’ or ‘constructs’ across qualitative studies

Is not aggregative in the sense of ‘adding studies together’

Is interpretative in broadening understanding of a particular phenomenon’

Question 16

What does it mean to be critical?

Answer 16

To question
To evaluate not only what is concluded, but also how the conclusions were reached
Active interpretation
Rational examination of what the thinking was, what was done

Objective uncovering of strengths and challenges/weaknesses

Question 17

What is and why do critical Appraisal ?

Answer 17

Systematic assessment to judge quality, trustworthiness & relevence

Locates highest quality of evidence to support best patient care

Essential in age of information overload and potential for research misconduct

Question 18

What is a critique?

Answer 18

Academic writing that summarizes and objectively evaluates a work

Question 19

What is a critical (research) literature review?

Answer 19

A systematic, synthesized critique of the processes, results and conclusions of a selection of research articles that allows an identification and evaluation of the body of evidence

Question 20

Why do a critical literature review ?

Answer 20

Develop knowledge of the current state of knowledge about this issue or topic

Recognize the strengths and weaknesses of what is known

Identify outstanding matters and debates related to the issue or topic

Question 21

What problems can be identified in published literature ?

Answer 21

Problems with sampling and data collection because researchers lack conceptual underpinnings

Problems with sense-making because researchers not alert to what evidence is already available

Problems with claims-making because researchers lacks the knowledge to state its significance for theory, policy or practice

Question 22

Knowledge of the literature can help:

Answer 22

Tighten questions

Support concept sensitivity

Provide a source for making comparisons

Stimulate thought

Question 23

Tips on doing a critical literature review

Answer 23

Don’t just summarize the studies, evaluate them

Synthesize key themes and issues running through research reports

Take a holistic view of the literature to provide an overview of what it says

Question 24

Summaries

Answer 24

Use information extraction techniques
Pulls together information to highlight important points
Iterates the information (no new thought)
Analyzes the article (study)
Addresses one article at a time
Presents a cursory overview

Question 25

Syntheses

Answer 25

Use information extraction techniques
Pulls together information to highlight the important points, AND to draw new conclusions.
Combines and contrasts information from different articles
Reflects your knowledge about what the known evidence is AND creates something new out of two or more articles
Combines parts and elements from a variety of articles into one unified entity
Focuses on main ideas AND details
Achieves new insights

Question 26

Common Location of information in qualitative research articles

1) identification of issue/topic
2) purpose/aim
3) background/lit review
4) research question(s)
5) deisgn
6) sample
7) ethical issues
8) data collection procedures
9) data analysis
10) discussion
11) conclusions/recommendations

Answer 26

1) title, INTRO
2) abstract, INTRO
3) INTRO, discussion
4) BACKGROUND
5) abstract, intro, METHODS/DESIGN
6) methods, subsection SAMPLE, SUBJECTS, PARTICIPANTS
7) SAMPLE, procedures
8) DATA COLLECTION, procedures
9) METHODS, data analysis, interpretation
10) DISCUSSION, implications
11) DISCUSSION, implications

Question 27

Common Location of information in quantitative research articles

1) identification of issue/topic
2) purpose/aim
3) background/lit review
4) theoretical framework
5) hypothesis
6) research question(s)
7) design
8) sample
9) ethical issues
10) data collection procedures
11) data analysis
12) results
13) discussion
14) conclusions/recommendations
15) limitations
16) gaps

Answer 27

1) INTRO, background
2) abstract, BACKGROUND
3) BACKGROUND, discussion
4) BACKGROUND
5) intro, BACKGROUND
6) BACKGROUND
7) title, abstract, METHOD/METHODOLOGY
8) METHOD/METHODOLOGY, sample
9) METHOD/METHODOLOGY, sample
10) METHOD/METHODOLOGY, data collection
11) METHOD/METHODOLOGY, data analysis
12) RESULTS
13) DISCUSSION
14) CONCLUSIONS
15) CONCLUSIONS
16) CONCLUSIONS

Question 28


Levels of Evidence


Melnyk & Fineout-Overhold (2005)

Answer 28

I) systematic lit review of RCTs
II) RCT
III) non random controlled trial (quasi-exp)
IV) quantitative non-exp
v) other systematic reviews
VI) Qualitative study
VII) Expert opinion

Question 29

Samples: Reporting / critical appraisal guidelines

Answer 29

randomized control trials: CONSORT
Observational studies: STROBE
Systematic reviews and metat analysis: PRISMA
Guidelines for research and evaluation: AGREE
Case reports: CARE
Quality improvement: SQUIRE
Realist and meta narratives: RAMESES
Economic evaluations: CHEERS
Qualitative research COREQ