Scientific
research
The
scientific method is the process by which scientists, collectively and over
time, endeavour to construct an accurate (that is, reliable, consistent and
non-arbitrary) representation of the world.
1. Observe
some aspect of the universe.
2. Invent a tentative description, called a hypothesis, that is consistent with
what you have observed.
3. Use the
hypothesis to make predictions.
4. Test
those predictions by experiments or further observations and modify the hypothesis
in the light of your results.
5. Repeat
steps 3 and 4 until there are no discrepancies between theory and experiment
and/or observation.
6.
Publish date and be subject to peer review
The clinical research
process
Think of a new idea,
often based on clinical observations
Carry out a
literature review to see what is already known
Formulate a research
question
Formulate a
hypothesis on null-hypothesis
Design a research
methodology which will test the hypothesis
Carry out a pilot
study
Refine the methodology
in light of the pilot study
Carry out the main
study which will collect data
Collate the data,
often on a spread sheet
Analysis the data and
generate descriptive and inferential statistics
Derive results from
the analysis of the data
Come to a conclusion
Accept or refute the
hypothesis
Produce clinical
recommendations
Publish for peer
review
Apply recommendations
in practice
Monitor effectiveness
of the new intervention in practice.
Publication format
should be, title, abstract, introduction, aims, methodology, ethical
considerations, data collection, data analysis, results, discussion,
conclusion, limitations, recommendations, references.
Clinical research
The gold standard for
research is based on the scientific method and is the randomised controlled
trial. All other forms of research may be critiqued if they fail to mach up to
this standard. RCTs are essentially an experimental approach to research. They
inform us what actually works in the real world. They are empirical.
Empiricism describes the
formulation of scientific laws by the process of experiment and observation.
Clinical trails may
compare the effectiveness of a treatment against no treatment; more often they
compare 2 or more treatment options with each other to see which is best.
In clinical trial
experimental research 3 components must be present; Intervention group, Control
group, Randomisation
Independent variable
---------------- dependent variable (result)
Cause
----------------------------------- effect
Drug -------------------------------------
cure
Diet
-------------------------------------- weight loss
Compounding variable
Placebo effect
Blind and double
blind
Quasi – experimental
Retrospective
Prospective
Correlation research
Longitudinal studies
Trend studies
Cross - sectional
Cohort groups
Descriptive - observe, describe, document
Survey studies
Interviews
Case studies
Historical
Qualitative
Variables
in research
Decide
which is the independent and dependent variable in the
following, also identify any compounding variables which may arise;
People
in glass houses should not throw stones.
Absence
makes the heart grow fonder.
A
rolling stone gathers no moss.
Home
is where I lay my hat.
The
early bird catches the worm.
Many
hands make work light.
Hypothesis in research
Predictions
Hypothesis
Null
hypothesis
Convert these research questions in to
a hypotheses
and a null hypotheses;
Does
Drug X improves the patients mood?
Is
the
Is
there a survival advantage in CABGs in patients who
smoke?
Does
the amount of study influences exam results?
Does
primary nursing effect on the costs of running the day hospital?
You
decide to study pre-op anxiety on your unit.
The
hypotheses is that detailed explanation of the
procedure reduce levels of anxiety.
What
measurements would be required/could be used?
How
could these measurements be made?
What
n would be required.
How
would the subjects be divided and what would you do to the groups?
What
is the independent variable?
What
is the dependent variable?
Try
to identify possible confounding variables.