Introduction to Clinical Research

Question 1

Research incorporates what 5 things:

Answer 1

Logic
Self-corrective
Replication
Control
Empirical

Question 2

Evidence Based Medicine

Answer 2

Any time you approach a medical decisioin you look at your expertise, data surrounding it and value patient input.

Question 3

Deductive Reasoning

Answer 3

• Drawing conclusions from general premises
• Hypothesizing
  Needs to be testable
• If the premise is true, the conclusion drawn from it will be true
  This is what you read in a good introduction section of a research article

Example:
Decreased soleus flexibility results in shin splints
Stretching increases soleus flexibility
Stretching prevents shin splints

Question 4

Inductive Reasoning

Answer 4

• Reverse of deductive reasoning
• Develop generalizations from specific observations
• Basis for developing theories
  – This is what you read in a good discussion section of a research article

Example
* My friend who stretches her soleus has never had shin splints
* Decreased soleus flexibility causes shin splints

The idea that if it happens to a specific individual it happens to everyone

Question 5

Self-Corrective

Answer 5

• Continuous, repetitive search for knowledge

Examines both:
* Theories (unknown)
– Set of concepts or propositions of relationships among specific phenomena
* Facts (known)
– Challenges the status quo
– Cross-validates previous findings

Question 6

Replicable and controlled

Answer 6

• Anyone with the same training should, at least in principle, be able to observe the same thing or perform the same test
• Limited influence of extraneous factors on the variables in question
  – rule out competing explanations

Question 7

Empirical

Answer 7

Provable or verifiable by experience or experiment.

Objective data documented through direct observation or measurement.

If it cannot be measured, it is not empirical evidence

Question 8

Alternatives to Scientific Method

Answer 8

• Tenacity (Cling to beliefs regardless of evidence; Superstition; Least reliable)
• Tradition (Understanding of the world based on precedent)
• Intuition (Combination of personal experience, intelligence and reasoning; “Common sense”)
• Authority (Qualifications based on experience, success, or reputation; Necessary when scientific evidence is not available)

Question 9

List the most to least reliable ways of knowing:

Answer 9

Question 10

Basic Research

Answer 10

results lack clear application
(how stuff works)
application of knowledge for its own sake
animal subjects
laboratories
careful control

Understand an ACL rupture; Could look at cadaver

Question 11

Applied Research

Answer 11

• results directly useful
• respond to immediate problems
• human subjects
• real world settings
• limited control (Activity, Gender)

ACL Rupture in Female Soccer Players

Question 12

The Research Continuum

Answer 12

Has both basic and applied lie on a continuum.

Question 13

Basic vs Applied Purpose

Answer 13

• Basic: discovering knowledge for the discovery of “TRUTHS”
• Applied: Solves a direct problem

Question 14

Barriers to Clinician Driven Research

Answer 14

• Lack of familiarity with the research process and vocabulary
• Statistical intimidation (rigorious peer review)
• Lack of funding
• Lack of time
• Ethical issues with human subjects (risk vs reward)