Research
A systematic process of gathering, analyzing and concluding information based upon a phenomena of interest, in order to increase understanding of that phenomena
Characteristics of research (5)
- Begins with a question
- Results with an increase in knowledge
- Process (scientific process)
- Systematic and diligent
- Knowledge is gathered through by searching, asking and discovering
Ways of acquiring information
- Tradition
- Experience
- Trial-and-error
- Borrowing
- Intuition
- Authorities
- Logical reasoning (inductive and deductive)
- Scientific method
Research (experimental and non experimental)- subdivisions
Experimental: True experiment and quasi experiment
Non-experimental: Descriptive and correlational designs
True experimental and Quasi experiment
True experiment
- Control of experimental situation
- Randomisation
- Manipulation of independent variable
Quasi experiment
- Lack of randomisation
- Lack of control of experimental situation
Reasons for research in health sciences (5(
- Enhance the cost-effectiveness of healthcare
- Healthcare improvements
- Seek evidence of strengths and weaknesses in healthcare
- Create a foundation for self-correction of misinterpretations
- Earning and defending professional status
Roles of healthcare professionals in research (5)
- Form part of a research team
- Independent researcher
- Evaluator of research findings
- Active user of research findings
- Advocacy for patients
Define Evidence Based Practice
Practice that involves the integration of the best research findings, a client’s values and clinical expertise.
Difference between an original research article and a review article
Original research article:
- Written by the researchers
- Includes the research question, purpose of the study and hypothesis
- Includes the research findings
- Includes an interpretation of the results
Review article:
- Summarises and reviews older publications on the research question/ subject
Different types of reviews
- Narrative reviews
- Systematic reviews
- Meta-analysis
The hierarchy of evidence (ranking of evidence)- EBP
- Clinical practice guidelines
- Meta analysis
- Systematic review
- Randomised controlled trials
- Cohort studies
- Case controlled studies
- Case reports, case series, experts’ opinions
- Animals and laboratory studies
