Lecture #2

Question 1

building blocks of research

Answer 1

investigations involve RESEARCHERS and PARTICIPANTS (quant. = SUBJECTS
qual. = INFORMANTS)

Question 2

disciplined research

Answer 2

a study that is regulated by criteria for conducting the research to create knowledge - BEST METHOD OF ACQUIRING RELIABLE KNOWLEDGE

Question 3

concept

Answer 3

abstraction (no physical manifestations)
abstract idea, mental construction

Question 4

phenomena

Answer 4

abstractions (concepts) inferred from people’s behaviors or characteristics
observed fact or situation
measurable or able to isolate

Question 5

central nursing concepts

Answer 5

health, nursing care, environment, person

Question 6

theory

Answer 6

explanation of some aspect of reality, linked by relationships used to describe/explain some aspect of the world

Question 7

inductive reasoning pathway

Answer 7

specific observation –> pattern recognition –> general conclusion

Question 8

deductive reasoning pathway

Answer 8

existing theory > formulate hypothesis > collect data > analyze data > do/don’t reject hypothesis

Question 9

types of research reports

Answer 9

presentations at professional conferences
- oral presentations
- poster sessions
*allow for networking and dialogue
journal articles

Question 10

oral presentations

Answer 10

10-20 min, describe key features of study

Question 11

poster sessions

Answer 11

simultaneous presentation of visual summary displays

Question 12

journal aricles

Answer 12

published in professional journals, usually peer-reviewed (blind)

examples:
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)
The Lancet
The Canada Communicable Disease Report (CCDR)

Question 13

critical thinking vs. critical reading

Answer 13

THINKING: rational examination of ideas, inferences, assumptions, principles, arguments, conclusions, issues, beliefs, statements, and actions.
Involves disciplined, self-directed thinking

READING; active engaging reading, entering the point of view of the writer

Question 14

critical reading process

Answer 14

• preliminary process: (familiarize)
  1) skim article
  2) identify concepts
  3) clarify unfamiliar terms
• comprehensive process: (purpose)
  1) identify main theme
  2) identify steps of research design
  3) clarify unfamiliar terms (cont.)
• analytical process: (study parts, early critique)
  1) asses study value for your own needs
  2) evaluate validity and applicability
• synthesis process: (understanding, context)
  1) understand whole article and steps
  2) use own words to describe
  3) identify strengths and weaknesses

Question 15

content of journal articles (IMRAD)

Answer 15

title / abstract
introduction
method
results
and discussion
references

Question 16

steps to E.B.P.

Answer 16

critical reading
critical thinking
read wisely
understand scientific principles
consume knowledge intelligently
develop E.B. interventions

Question 17

title

Answer 17

Succinctly conveys key information.

Qualitative studies: includes the central phenomenon and specific individuals under investigation

Quantitative studies: communicates key variables and the population (PICO)

Question 18

abstract

Answer 18

brief description of the study (<250 words)

Question 19

introduction

Answer 19

research problem and context, rationale behind the study - immediately follows abstract always

describes:
- central phenomena, issues/problems, concepts, or variables under study
- study purpose and research questions or hypotheses
- a review of the related literature
- theoretical or conceptual framework
- significance of and need for the study

Question 20

method

Answer 20

Describes the methods used to answer the research questions

quantitative study:
- research design →
- sampling plan– the setting of the study, criteria for participant recruitment
- methods of measuring variables and collecting data
- study procedures, including procedures to protect human rights
- data analysis methods

qualitative study:
- more setting information, more study background
- described researcher efforts to enhance study integrity

Question 21

results

Answer 21

Presents the findings that were obtained by analyzing the study data
summary of key findings (tables or charts for detailed info summary)

all results sections contain descriptive information, including a description of the participants

quantitative study:
- name of statistical tests used (probability of accurate results, hypothesis testing)
- value of calculated statistics (computer-calculated)
- statistical significance (probably true if significant - levels of significance = HOW probable)

qualitative study:
- organized based on themes/processes/categories identifies in data
- raw data excerpts (quotes)
- may present emerging theories about phenomena

Question 22

discussion

Answer 22

conclusions about the meaning and implications of the findings
- Interpretation of the results
- Clinical and research implications
- Study limitations and credibility of the results
*shows researcher took flaws into account when interpreting results: a good sign

Question 23

difficulties in reading research articles

Answer 23

compactness, jargon, objectivity, statistical information

Question 24

research critique

Question 25

research critique

Answer 25

Objective assessment of a study’s strengths and limitations - accuracy, believability, relevance - appraise conceptual and methodological decisions

Question 26

key research challenges

Answer 26

quantitative = reliable and valid qualitative = trustworthy

Question 27

inference

Answer 27

conclusion drawn from the study evidence using logical reasoning and taking into account the methods used to generate that evidence

Question 28

reliability

Answer 28

accuracy and CONSISTENCY of obtained information

Question 29

validity

Answer 29

soundness of evidence – whether findings are convincing and well-grounded. The validity question is whether the methods are really MEASURING the concepts that they claim to measure

Question 30

trustworthiness

Answer 30

credibility, transferability, confirmability, dependability, authenticity

Question 31

triangulation

Answer 31

use of multiple sources or referents to draw conclusions about what constitutes the truth - ups credibility

Question 32

bias

Answer 32

distortion or influence that results in an error in inference examples: - pt lies - researcher preconceptions - placebo - faulty design - faulty measurement

Question 33

research control

Answer 33

mostly quantitative keeping the outcome variable (dependent variable) constant so that the true relationship between the independent variable and the outcome variable can be understood - eliminated contaminating factors/confounding variables

Question 34

randomness

Answer 34

mostly quantitative Allowing certain aspects of the study to be left to chance rather than to researcher or participant choice

Question 35

blinding

Answer 35

mostly quantitative prevent biases stemming from people’s awareness concealing information from participants, data collectors, or care providers to enhance objectivity

Question 36

reflexivity

Answer 36

mostly qualitative, but used in both critical and careful consideration of how personal values could affect data collection and interpretation reflective about decisions made during the inquiry, and to record their thoughts in personal diaries and memos

Question 37

generalizability

Answer 37

mostly quantitative assess the extent to which the findings can be applied - strong reliability and validity

Question 38

transferability

Answer 38

qualitative extent to which findings can be transferred to other settings An important mechanism for promoting transferability is the amount of rich descriptive information qualitative researchers provide about the research context or study background so that others can make inferences about contextual similarities

Question 39

evidence heirarchy

Answer 39

1. systematic review 2. RTC (trtmnt group, control group) 3. non-randomized trial (quasi-experiment) cause-and-effect search 4. prospective/cohort study (non-experiment) 5. case-control study 6. cross-sectional study (descriptive) 7. in-depth qualitative study 8. expert opinion, case report

Question 40

evidence heirarchy