The purpose of this assignment is to describe the role that research has in health care organizations today.
Review the “Health Care Research, Analysis, and Utilization Scenarios” document and select either the Transitional Care, Primary Care, or Community Care scenario to address the following questions in a 750-1,000 word paper on the scientific method and how it is used in health care research today.
Explain the type of validity, sample size, appropriateness of statistics, and generalizability that should be utilized in order to ensure a valid research study is conducted.
Describe why this is important for your area of study. Including an explanation of why evidence-based research and quality improvement initiatives are constantly being implemented in research-based projects and organization change.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The field of healthcare has seen significant advancements over the years, and research plays a crucial role in facilitating these advancements. Medical research helps in the development of new treatments and therapies, expands our understanding of diseases, and improves the overall quality of healthcare services. In this paper, we will explore the scientific method and its application in healthcare research, with a special emphasis on the importance of evidence-based research and quality improvement initiatives.
Answer:
In order to ensure a valid research study is conducted, several factors need to be taken into consideration. These factors include the type of validity, sample size, appropriateness of statistics, and generalizability.
Type of validity refers to the extent to which a study measures what it is intended to measure. Generally, there are three types of validity- internal validity, external validity, and construct validity. In healthcare research, external validity is particularly important, as it determines the generalizability of the results beyond the sample studied. Sample size is another critical factor that needs to be considered in healthcare research. A sample size that is too small may result in a lack of statistical power, while a sample size that is too large may yield redundant results. A sample size that is appropriate to the research question will provide accurate and reliable results.
Appropriateness of statistics is another important component of healthcare research. The type of analysis conducted depends on the research question, and it is essential to ensure that the correct statistical methods are used. For example, descriptive statistics are used to summarize data, while inferential statistics are used to test hypotheses and make predictions.
Finally, generalizability refers to the extent to which the results of a study can be applied to other populations or settings. It is important to ensure that the sample chosen is representative of the population being studied to ensure generalizability.
In healthcare, evidence-based research and quality improvement initiatives are constantly being implemented in research-based projects and organization change. Evidence-based research involves utilizing the best available evidence to inform clinical decision-making, while quality improvement initiatives focus on improving the quality of care. Both of these initiatives are crucial in ensuring that patients receive the best possible care and that healthcare services are continually being improved.
In conclusion, the scientific method and its application in healthcare research are fundamental in facilitating advancements in healthcare. Ensuring the validity of the research study through the proper type of validity, sample size, appropriateness of statistics, and generalizability is essential. Additionally, evidence-based research and quality improvement initiatives are critical in ensuring that patients receive the highest quality of care, and healthcare services are continually improved.
