Introduction to Research and Health Sciences

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary aim of health sciences research?

To change healthcare legislation

To prove existing theories wrong

To generate trustworthy evidence in practice and education (correct)

To create new medical technologies

Which of the following conditions has CBD been reported to alleviate?

Bone fractures

Hearing loss

Chronic pain (correct)

Vision impairment

Which characteristic is NOT associated with research?

Systematic enquiry

Diligent investigation

Randomized results (correct)

Process-oriented approach

What contributes to quality care in health sciences?

An increase in knowledge Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a systematic investigation of a subject called?

Research Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following areas does health sciences research NOT typically focus on?

Cultural traditions Signup and view all the answers

What role does ethics play in health sciences research?

It ensures integrity and trustworthiness in findings Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of inductive research?

To develop a new theory Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of evidence-informed care focuses on the availability of healthcare to everyone?

Equity Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of efficiency in healthcare treatment refer to?

Cost-effectiveness Signup and view all the answers

In the deductive approach, what is primarily tested?

Existing theories Signup and view all the answers

Which method of knowledge acquisition emphasizes hands-on learning and experimentation?

Trial and error Signup and view all the answers

What does acceptability in healthcare focus on?

Patient choice and centered care Signup and view all the answers

How does a researcher typically formulate a hypothesis in the deductive approach?

Using existing theories as a foundation Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of evidence-informed care refers to the likelihood of an intervention being effective for everyone who might need it?

Effectiveness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a method of acquiring knowledge as outlined?

Mathematical reasoning Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of qualitative research?

To understand the phenomenon in its entirety Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the approach used in quantitative research?

It utilizes structured procedures to collect data. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes qualitative research from quantitative research?

It captures context and subjective experiences. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of scientific research, what is 'applied research' aimed at achieving?

Finding solutions to immediate practical problems Signup and view all the answers

What limitation of the scientific method is highlighted regarding knowledge?

Knowledge is provisional and evolves with research. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roles do healthcare professionals play in research?

They can identify and evaluate research applicable to their field. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of control variables in research?

To reduce biases and confounding factors Signup and view all the answers

What type of reasoning is most common in quantitative research approaches?

Logistic and deductive reasoning Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic does NOT apply to qualitative research?

Emphasizes objectivity throughout the research Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

What is Research?

Research is a systematic process of inquiry aimed at contributing to knowledge.
It involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information to increase understanding.
It is a diligent and systematic inquiry to validate and refine existing knowledge and generate new knowledge.

Characteristics of Research

Aims to increase knowledge, which leads to quality care.
It is based on a question or problem.
It involves search, discovery, or inquiry.
It is systematic and diligent.
It is a process that follows a scientific method.

What is Health Sciences Research?

It is a systematic process of inquiry designed to generate trustworthy evidence in the realms of practice, education, administration, and informatics.
Healthcare professionals are committed to evidence-informed care that enhances effectiveness, efficacy, efficiency, equity, acceptability, and implementation.

Ways of Acquiring Knowledge

Tradition
Authority
Logical reasoning
- Inductive
- Deductive
Experience
Trial and error
Intuition
Borrowing
Scientific method

Inductive vs Deductive Research Approach

Inductive:
- Little to no existing literature on a topic
- No theory to test
- Aims at developing a theory
- Researcher starts with observations and moves from particular experiences to general propositions.
Deductive:
- Starts with a theory (result of inductive research)
- Aims at testing an existing theory
- Researcher starts with an existing theory, formulates a hypothesis, collects data to test the hypothesis, and analyzes results.

Limitations of the Scientific Method

Knowledge is provisional and based on the best current research.
Qualitative vs. quantitative research:
- Disease vs. living with the disease
- Objectivity

Research Domains

Quantitative
- Focuses on a relatively small number of concepts
- Uses positivism
- Begins with preconceived ideas about the interrelationship of concepts
- Focuses on measurable aspects of human behavior
- Uses structured procedures and formal instruments to collect information
- Collects information under conditions of control
- Emphasizes objectivity in collection and analysis.
- Analyzes numeric information through statistical procedures.
- Researcher does not participate in events under investigation.
- Incorporates logistic reasoning.
Qualitative
- Attempts to understand a phenomenon holistically
- Uses symbolic interactionism and phenomenology
- Fewer preconceived ideas, focusing on meaning and people’s interpretations
- Collects information without formal, structured instruments.
- Does not control context but aims to capture it in its entirety.
- Assumes subjectivity is essential to understanding human experience.
- Analyzes narrative data in a less structured, more intuitive way.
- Involves sustained interaction with study participants.
- Inductive and dialectic reasoning are predominant.

Main Types of Scientific Research

Basic/Pure Research: Increase in knowledge
Applied Research: Find a solution to an immediate, practical problem
Experimental Research:
- True experimental: Uses control groups and random assignment
- Quasi-experimental: Does not meet all criteria of a true experiment.
Non-experimental Research:
- Descriptive: Describes characteristics of a population or phenomena
- Correlational: Investigates the relationship between two or more variables.

Reasons for Conducting Health Sciences Research

Improving healthcare.
Earning and defending professional status.
Providing other healthcare professionals with a larger repertoire of scientifically defensible intervention options.
Finding ways to enhance the cost-effectiveness of healthcare activities.
Providing a basis for standard setting and quality assurance.
Providing evidence in support of demands for resources in healthcare services.
Providing evidence of weaknesses and strengths in healthcare.
Providing a basis for self-correction of misinterpretations and myths.

Roles of Healthcare Professionals in Research

Participate in research.
Be a member of a research team.
Undertake independent research projects.
Identify and evaluate research findings applicable to the field.
Be a user of research findings.
Act as a patient advocate when a patient is involved.

The Interactive Relationship Between Practice and Research

By understanding research, healthcare professionals can:
- Answer important questions about patient populations, conditions, and interventions.

Research: A Way to Gather Evidence for Your Practice

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP):
- Integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values
- Encourages professionals and decision-makers to make informed decisions.

Steps in the EB Approach

Original research paper.
Review articles:
- Meta-analysis: Statistical synthesis of multiple studies.
- Systematic review: Comprehensive overview of available evidence on a topic.
- Scoping review: Provides an overview of research on a topic, identifying gaps and suggesting future research directions.
- Narrative review: Provides a summary of research on a topic, often with the author’s interpretation and analysis.

Scientific Papers

Original research article: Describes results of a research study, producing new knowledge.
An article is considered original research if it is written by the researchers who conducted the study.

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Description

This quiz delves into the fundamentals of research, its characteristics, and specific applications in health sciences. It emphasizes the systematic inquiry process essential for generating trustworthy knowledge. Brush up on your understanding of how research contributes to effective healthcare practices.