DQ 2-1

DQ1 Responses

1. The constant, ever changing medical field coextends with research methods in health sciences. Researchers use certain methods such as experimental, survey, evaluation, qualitative, clinical, comparative, and analytic epidemiology (Neutons & Rubison, 2014). Experimental research relates to a study in which the researchers control one or more variables in the experiment to determine results. Survey research methods describe and reveal results of an occurrence, provide descriptions of conditions while comparing and contrasting the relationships of the variables. Evaluation research provides a method of assessment from collected evidence derived from a sample population in which the conclusions relay effectiveness, merit, and success of the process/program studied. Qualitative research is a method of gathering and analyzing numerical or quantitative data. Many regulatory organizations across the nation use qualitative research overseeing hospitals and other facilities in order to establish an amount (for example – number of health associated infections) or number of occurrence(s). Clinical trials are a type of research method that tests the efficacy of an intervention. Comparative and effectiveness research (CER), or evidence based medicine, uses a systemic approach including assessment, observation, and clinical trials. Both clinical trials and CER are often done in my current hospital setting when there are new therapeutic modalities to test based on other research. As a respiratory therapist, hands on patient care allows us to perform the clinical aspect of the trials. A common research and trial we do usually pertain to new therapeutic modalities derived from evidence based medicine. Lastly, analytic epidemiology is a research method that addresses etiology, epidemiology, trends, diseases, and differentials (Neutons & Rubinson, 2014).

References:

Neutons, J. J. & Rubinson, L. (2014). Research Techniques for the Health Sciences, Fifth Edition. Published by Benjamin Cummings. Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc., San Francisco, CA.

2. Reliability is the degree to which as assessment tool produces stable and consistent results while validity refers to how well a test measures what it is purported to measure (Phelan and Wren, n.d). Both reliability and validity are important in research to produce the most accurate results and conclusions possible. These two elements are very useful in certain research processes such as for medication research in finding out cures for illnesses and finding out causes for illnesses. Clinical trials for medications in development have to produce consistent results in order to figure out if the medication will work for the population or not. Without reliability and validity, we would have very inaccurate medical information today.

 References

Colin Phelan, J. W. (n.d). Reliability and Validity. Retrieved from University of Northern Iowa: https://chfasoa.uni.edu/reliabilityandvalidity.htm

3.According to Neutens & Rubinson, validity and reliability are important components to research. “Validity refers to the extent to which a procedure measures what it is supposed to measure”. (Neutens & Rubinson, 2014, pg. 167) Included in validity are four subtypes: face validity, content validity, construct validity, and predictive validity. Face validity is the intended result of a measure. Content validity produces a sample of possible responses, attitudes, and behaviors. Construct validity are the conclusions regarding traits, attitudes, and behaviors. Predictive validity is when an instrument can predict the outcome.  An example of validity in my workplace would be our HCAHPS survey and scores.

“Reliability refers to the stability of the instrument”. (Neutens & Rubinson, 2014, pg. 167) Another meaning would be if something is measured and then re-measured you would get the same results the second time as the first. For example, if you were to step on the scale, step off, then step back on you would get the same weight both times, without changing any of the variables. An example of reliability in my workplace would be calculations of drug. When you work the equation for an IV medication you should get the same answer each time it is computed.

 

 Neutens, J. J., & Rubinson, L. (2014). Research techniques for the health sciences (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.

4.

Reliability is the idea or degree that a measurement is in fact accurate and validity is the trueness of the results (Neuman, 2017, p. 100). When it comes to research you can make your assumptions more reliable and valid by conducting more than one experiment. In the health care field surveys of the risk management department are conducted, the best way to ensure the reliability and validity of the results is to ensure that the survey is being conducted amongst more than a small number of people.  The smaller the sample group the lower the results a researcher will have, however, the larger the sample group the large the results for the researcher. Not only does this apply to the risk management department, but it also works with clinical trials. By having a large number of patients with similar symptoms and trying different medications you have a greater reliability that one of the medications will work for those symptoms.

 

References:

Neuman, W. (2017). Understanding research (second ed., p. 100). New York, NY: Pearson.

5.

What type of relationship is predicted between the variables?