Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice

Flashcards covering key terms related to research methods, quantitative vs. qualitative studies, the EBP and QI processes, and levels of evidence, based on lecture notes.

Quantitative Hypothesis

A hypothesis that suggests there is a difference or relationship, often tested using numerical data.

Quantitative Research Keywords

Common words indicating quantitative research include 'randomly assigned' and focus on 'large numbers'.

Qualitative Research Keywords

Common words indicating qualitative research include 'lived experience,' 'focus groups,' 'quotations,' and studies involving 'small numbers' of participants.

General Research Process

Steps include asking a research question, searching literature, developing a hypothesis, testing it, analyzing data, and communicating results.

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Process

A systematic process involving developing a spirit of inquiry (PICO), searching for evidence, critically appraising articles, integrating best evidence, evaluating, and sharing.

Quality Improvement (QI) Process

Involves noticing a need for change, identifying the desired change, trialing it on a small scale, analyzing learned outcomes, and then changing practice or repeating testing.

Goal of EBP, QI, and Research

To achieve high-quality patient care based on best practice.

EBP Focus

Focuses on the patient perspective and aims to answer broad research questions.

QI Focus

Determines a specific issue, trials solutions on a unit, and assesses if a change is needed.

PICO Format

A structured method for formulating clinical research questions, encompassing Patient/Problem, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome.

Systematic Review Meta-analysis

A type of study that synthesizes findings from multiple studies, often considered the highest level of evidence, especially when quantitative.

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

A study design where participants are randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group, typically Level 2 evidence.

Quasi-experimental Study

A study design that involves intervention groups and comparison groups but lacks full randomization, typically Level 3 evidence.

Descriptive Studies

Research that describes characteristics of a population or phenomenon, often involving quantitative surveys for numerical data, typically Level 6 evidence.

Single Qualitative or Descriptive Evidence

Individual qualitative studies or descriptive quantitative studies that primarily portray characteristics, typically Level 6 evidence.

Evidence Table

A document used to summarize and organize key information from research articles for critical appraisal.

RQ

Abbreviation for Research Question in an evidence table.

DV

Abbreviation for Dependent Variable in an evidence table.

IV

Abbreviation for Independent Variable in an evidence table.

LOE

Abbreviation for Level of Evidence in an evidence table.

IG

Abbreviation for Intervention Group, referring to the group receiving the tested intervention in a study.

CG

Abbreviation for Control Group, referring to the group that does not receive the tested intervention in a study.