9780190304317_SC

Key Terms

• Bias: Refers to potential distortion in study outcomes that can arise from researchers' influence, personal prejudices, or methodological flaws, potentially leading to inaccurate representations of data and results.

• Constructivism: An epistemology that posits that reality is socially constructed, suggesting that individuals perceive the world subjectively, leading to the existence of multiple truths that can vary among different groups or contexts.

• Convenience sampling: A non-probability sampling method that selects individuals based on their easy availability and willingness to participate, which may lead to limitations in generalizability and potential biases in the study findings.

• Data saturation: A vital concept in qualitative research that occurs when new information is no longer emerging from the data being collected, indicating that the researcher has reached a point where additional data collection is unlikely to contribute new insights.

• Effectiveness/Efficacy: These terms are utilized to determine whether a treatment or intervention achieves the desired outcome. Effectiveness refers to the performance of a treatment under real-world conditions, while efficacy denotes its performance under ideal, controlled circumstances.

• Epistemology: The study of knowledge, focusing on its nature, sources, and limitations, as well as how knowledge can be validated or challenged.

• Ethnography: A qualitative research method that explores and describes the lived experiences, practices, and perspectives of social and cultural groups within their natural environments, often involving in-depth interviews and participant observations.

• Evidence: Information, typically from research or observation, used to support and enhance health and social care practices, providing a foundation for decision-making in clinical settings.

• Evidence-based practice (EBP): A systematic approach in healthcare that integrates the best available empirical evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to inform treatment strategies, improve outcomes, and ensure the relevance of healthcare practices.

• Knowledge: An accepted set of facts or ideas acquired through various means, including experience, education, and research, which forms the basis for understanding and guiding behavior.

• Knowledge acquisition: The process of obtaining knowledge through various methods, including research findings, professional experiences, and collaborative discussions, which is crucial for informed decision-making in practice.

• Metasynthesis: A qualitative research method that involves synthesizing and interpreting findings across multiple qualitative studies to create a comprehensive understanding of a particular phenomenon or experience.

• Mixed methods: Research methodology that integrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches within a single study, allowing for a more holistic understanding of research questions and enabling triangulation of data.

• Non-probability sampling: A sampling method where the selection probability of research participants is unknown, often leading to potential biases; examples include convenience sampling and purposive sampling.

• Ontology: A branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of being, reality, and existence, addressing whether an objective reality exists independently of individual perceptions.

• Phenomenology: A qualitative research approach that focuses on understanding the subjective experiences of individuals and the meanings they attribute to those experiences, emphasizing the depth of human perspectives.

• Positivism: The philosophical stance that asserts that objective reality can be observed and measured through empirical inquiry, emphasizing the use of quantitative methods and observable phenomena in research.

• Pragmatism: An approach to research that advocates for the use of multiple methodologies depending on the research context and questions, prioritizing practical solutions over rigid adherence to a single philosophical doctrine.

• Probability sampling method: A selection method where each participant has a known chance of being selected, ensuring a higher degree of representativeness and reducing sampling bias; examples include simple random sampling and stratified sampling.

• Purposive sampling: A non-probability sampling technique that deliberately selects specific individuals or groups for their unique insights, perspectives, or characteristics relevant to the research question.

• Qualitative research: Research focusing on meanings, experiences, and interpretations, using non-numeric data to gain insight into complex phenomena and human behavior.

• Quantitative research: Research that emphasizes numerical data and statistical analysis to examine relationships, test hypotheses, and ascertain the prevalence of phenomena within a population.

• Reliability: The consistency and dependability of research findings, which can be assessed through repeated measures, internal consistency, and inter-rater reliability to ensure that results are replicable.

• Research participant: An individual who agrees to take part in a study, contributing data that can provide insights into the research questions being examined.

• Rigour: The extent to which research findings are trustworthy, credible, and can be replicated, underlining the importance of methodological transparency and thoroughness in study design.

• Systematic review: A comprehensive analysis of existing literature on a specific topic, employing structured and transparent methods to identify, evaluate, and synthesize research findings across multiple studies.

• Validity: The degree to which research accurately reflects or measures what it claims to, encompassing various types of validity including internal, external, construct, and content validity.

• Variable: Any attribute or characteristic that may differ among study participants or observations, such as health outcomes, demographic factors, or psychological attributes.

Chapter Objectives

• Learn about the role of evidence in evidence-based practice and its impact on health outcomes.

• Understand various research designs applicable to health, including their strengths and limitations.

• Explore the differences between qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and their complementary roles in evidence generation.

• Recognize the value of mixed methods in research for enhancing the depth and breadth of understanding health issues.

• Gain insights into issues of rigour, reliability, and validity in research and their implications on evidence quality.

• Understand various sampling methods used in research, their significance, and their potential impact on study findings.

Introduction

Knowledge has played a crucial role in human survival and development; it has evolved from early forms of divine revelation and tradition to an increasing reliance on systematic research methods since the 17th century. Grinnell et al. (2014) define knowledge as a culmination of facts acquired through sensory experiences or logical reasoning. Historical beliefs, such as the notion that the Earth is flat, have shifted dramatically through the lens of scientific advancements.

Knowledge and Evidence

Knowledge is the foundation for generating evidence, which is crucial for informing health practice. Evidence is derived from systematic reviews of relevant literature that collate and synthesize existing research findings. Key areas of interest often include understanding the perception of mental health issues, such as depression, and associated risks among various populations.

Evidence-based Practice (EBP)

EBP is built on the integration of empirical evidence to ensure healthcare practices are effective and relevant. Evidence hierarchies prioritize various types of research, with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) often regarded as the gold standard for establishing causal relationships. However, qualitative findings may sometimes be undervalued in EBP, despite their importance in providing insights into patient experiences and needs.

Research Design Selection

Selecting the appropriate research design is critical and must align with the specific questions posed about health issues. Different types of questions necessitate diverse methodologies—qualitative research typically focuses on exploratory questions regarding the 'how' and 'why' of behaviors, while quantitative research may investigate relationships between variables quantitatively.

Sampling Considerations

Sampling methods can be categorized into probability and non-probability sampling based on whether the selection probability is known. Moreover, the sample size varies between qualitative and quantitative research studies, with emphasis on achieving data saturation in qualitative studies to ensure comprehensive insight.

Rigour in Research

Research rigour evaluates the trustworthiness and credibility of findings across various methodologies. In qualitative research, the concept of 'trustworthiness' is essential for ensuring that the findings are credible and applicable to broader populations, while quantitative research highlights the significance of reliability and validity to substantiate results.

Historical Context of EBP

Healthcare practitioners increasingly require comprehensive research-driven evidence to support their intervention strategies. It is paramount that evidence does not merely rely on quantitative studies; qualitative insights are also critical for unraveling complex health issues and understanding the nuances of interventions.

Conclusion

Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies hold distinct value in research; their effective application largely depends on the specific health-related questions posed. The ultimate aim should focus on identifying which method demonstrates the best capacity to address particular research questions, moving away from a bias towards one approach over another.