Key steps in research process
- Identify the problem/issue
- Form hypothesis
- Operationalization - create measurable variables that address the hypothesis.
- Select study design that properly analyzes the data.
Subjective Data
Qualitative data - described verbally, depends on opinions of observer or subject, interviews are an example.
Objective Data
Quantitative data - observable and can be tested and verified. Described in numbers. Examples are surveys, questionnaires, etc.
Key points in data collection
- Collect it close to the time of intervention.
- Frequently collect data
- Keep data collection process short.
- Standardize recording procedures.
- Collection method to fit the study well.
Key considerations in selecting a study design
- Standardization - can the data be collected in an identical way?
- Level of certainty: The study size neede to achieve statistical significance.
- Resources - the availability of funding and other resources needed.
- Time frame required.
- Capacity of subjects to provide informed consent and receive ethics approval from HSRC and IRB.
Three common study designs
- Exploratory
- Descriptive survey design
- Experimental sutdies
Explain exploratory research design
- Common when little is known about a problem/issue.
- Key feature if flexibility.
- Results comprised of detailed observations made.
- Conclusions include educated guesses or hypotheses.
Explain descriptive survey design
- Variable have been already been studies and more research needed.
- Variables are partly controlled by the situation and by investigator.
- Causality cannot be proven, but evidence may support causality.
Ethical concerns in selecting study design
- Research must not lead to harming clients.
- Denying an intervention may amount ot harm.
- Informed consent is essential.
- Confidentiality is required.
What is a single system study approach?
- One client selected per system (n=1)
- Observations are made prior to, during, and following an intervention.
Describe the most basic single system design A-B design
- Baseline phase (A) no intervention.
- Followed by intervention phase (B) with data collection.
Define a case study/predesign DESIGN A
Observational design with no interevention.
Define a case study/predesign DESIGN B
An intervention-only deisgn without any baseline
Define design B-C
“Changes case study” design
No baseline recorded - first intervention (B) applied and then changed (C) and data are recorded.
List the common single system experimental designs
- A-B-A design
- A-B-A-B design
- B-A-B design
Describe the A-B-A design
- A - data collected without any intervention.
- B - intervention applies and data collected.
- A - intervention removed and data collected
What are the benefits of the A-B-A design?
- Inferences regarding causality can be stated
- Two points of comparison are achieved.
What is a drawback of the A-B-A design
It’s usually unethical to remove the intervention, thus it is poorly recommended.
Described the A-B-A-B design
A - data collected prior to intervention.
B- intervention applied, data collected.
A - interevention removed, data collected.
B - intervention reinstated at close of study
Benefits of A-B-A-B design
- Greater causality inferences can be made.
- Temporary removal of intervention is problematic (especially if the subject drops out of the study prior to re-introduction).
- time consuming study
Describe the B-A-B design
- Referred to as the “intervention repeat design”
- no baseline phase
- The intervention is implemented immediately (before establishing a baseline). This is followed by a measurement without the intervention and then a repeat of the intervention.
Population
the total set of subjects sought for measurement by a researcher (example: all women over 18 in the United States)
Sample
A subset of the population
A subject
single unit of the population
