Intro to Planning Research Flashcards
How do social science research methods contribute to our understanding of public health and health management?
- Questions focus on human attitudes and behaviours, society and relationships (at individual or group level) -> this impacts on the effectiveness, efficiency and acceptability of health interventions and systems
- Evidence-based theory important for heath-care systems that meet the needs of users
- Explore social phenomena (categorising and theorising)
- Build, investigate and test theories
- Create understanding (of experiences, perspectives and views)
- Inform decision-making (evidence-based practice)
Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative research methods
Qualitative - Pertaining to the nature of phenomena and how they are classified (meaning and experience)
why, why not?
Quantitative - Pertaining to the measurement or counting of phenomena
when, how many, how much?
Explain scientific enquiry and its core principles
Scientific enquiry aims to systematically collect and analyse data. Seen as objective.
(views social science as subjective)
Core principles:
- Empiricism - scientific knowledge can only be derived from observable/empirical data
- Logical induction - theories and laws are derived from repeated empirical observation
- Realism - reality is stable and exists outside out attempts to explain it.
- Value-free - science lies outside the influence of society (positivism)
Describe positivism as a key methodological approach of the social sciences
A core philosophy of science that:
- assumes reality is stable (realism)
And can be researched by:
- objectively measuring (value- free)
- observable phenomena (empiricism)
- and deriving general laws and theories from that observation (logical induction)
Key critiques:
- Too simplistic: cannot ignore the social influences on science
- Inappropriate: rejection of realism via relativism and interpretivism
Seen as objective.
In social science it measures observable facts and outcomes of human behaviour to derive general laws and theories from these observations.
EXAMPLE: Durkheim’s study of suicide - used observed facts (recorded rates) to generate theory of suicide, rather than more interpretivist approach (eg. understanding motivations for suicide).
Describe relativism and interpretivism as a key methodological approach of the social sciences
An alternative philosophy of science to positivism that understands reality and our knowledge of it as socially constructed . Reality can change depending who us observing it and from what perspective.
Seen as subjective.
Includes cultural relativism (all perspectives as equally legitimate); and social constructivism (observable facts are not objective facts)
EXAMPLE: understandings of symptoms, alternative view of suicide etc.
Interpretivism - studies people’s interpretations of reality. Looks for meaning rather than an objective reality.
EXAMPLE: Understanding of a disease, or the benefits of a treatment
Distinguish between concepts, variables and indicators in research (inform research questions)
Concepts - the phenomena that the researcher is interested in. Not directly observable. (Eg. quality of care, inequality in health).
Variables - Dimensions or aspects of those phenomena (the concept) that are subject to change (eg. income, health status).
Indicators - Empirical attributes of variables that can be measured or observed. Can use proxies. (eg. monthly salary, incidence of illness, white blood cell count etc.)
- All assist in “operationalising” research questions
- Not distinct and can be applied differently in different contexts
- Difficult to find perfect measures in social science research
Name the two key approaches to developing research questions
Deductive - Develops a hypothesis or theory to be tested
Inductive - Uses exploratory, open questions to reach a hypothesis
What are some of the processes involved in formulating research questions
Thinking about concepts, variables and indicators.
Need to be clearly defined and as specific as possible - helps with study design and generates useful data.
PICOT - Guide for question structure P = Population/problem I - Indicators/Variables C = Control/Comparison O = Outcome T = Timeframe
Detail the difference between research design and research methods
Design - the overall study plan or strategy that will allow an answer to the research question
Methods - the techniques and tools used in constructing the study and generating data
Describe experimental research design including the strengths and weaknesses of the approach.
Experimental studies identify and test a hypothetical causal relationship or intervention.
Pragmatic trials are used to test real world implementation
Example: RCT
Strengths:
- Strong ability too look at cause and effect
- Reduces uncertainty and bias
- RCTs control for confounders and bias
Weaknesses:
- Studies are not always investigating causal relationships
- Complexity
- Bias and contamination
- Ethical issues (uncertainty, informed consent)
- Practical issues (time and cost)
Describe cross-sectional research design including the strengths and weaknesses of the approach.
Data collected from a population (or a sample of the population) at one point in time
Example: patient satisfaction survey
Strengths:
- Descriptive information about behaviour and attitudes
- Can identify associations between variables
- Can be applicable to whole population (if representative sample and reliable tools used)
Weaknesses:
- Cannot address causal questions
- Requires representative sample
Describe observational research design including the strengths and weaknesses of the approach.
Recording, describing and analysing everyday lived behaviours in a particular setting.
Example: ethnographic study
Strengths:
- Generates rich and deep information about a particular context
- Creates understanding about everyday behaviours
Weaknesses:
- Limited generalisability
- Researcher bias
- Time-consuming
Describe documentary research design including the strengths and weaknesses of the approach.
Uses existing documentary resources as data
Particularly useful for historical, sensitive and adversarial research.
- Qualitative interpretive analysis: critical analysis of qualitative documents
- Quantitive reconstruction - analysis of historical statistics
- Content analysis - construction and analysis of qualitative data set based on qualitative data
Strengths:
- Practical strength (time, money etc)
- Good for sensitive, adversarial and historical research
Weaknesses:
- Cannot be used simplistically - documents not observable facts and were produced, used, shared and interpreted in socially organised ways
- Data is not always available/accessible
Describe participatory research design including the strengths and weaknesses of the approach.
Participants control or partake in the research agenda, research process and outcomes
Participant knowledge is seen as essential to the process
Reflexive and iterative
Example: Participatory Action Research - problem-solving and implementing change in context
Strengths:
- Can create change/influence the social world
- Can come up with more relevant/useful research
Weaknesses:
- Boundaries between researchers and participants
- Objectivity in documenting change
- Attributing significance to actions or factors
What is Participatory Action Research?
A type of participatory research design that goes beyond documenting and analysing the social world to actively work to solve problems and implement changes in collaboration with stakeholder.
Ranges from radical social and political change to smaller discrete projects such as workplace based processes.
Participant inclusion crucial to process.
EXAMPLE: Sexual and reproductive health program for adolescents that works with youth to identify issues and implement program to solve them
