Evidence Based Practice Paper
Research Designs & Evidence-Based Practice
Melissa Bermudez
Benjamin School of Nursing
Miami Dade College
Research designs & Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice is the process of utilizing research findings that are systematically researched and appraised as a foundation for clinical practice. On the other hand, a qualitative research could be defined as a subjective means applicable in the description and comprehension of life experiences. Over the years, the application of quantitative research studies has dominated the understanding of evidence-based practices while the use of qualitative research studies has generally taken a back seat. While in recent years, there have been attempts demonstrated at showing …show more content…
that qualitative research studies can still play a role in interpreting evidence-based practices, yet the progress has not been satisfactory. This article seeks to describe the reasons as to why the qualitative research studies are not included in the review of studies for evidence-based practice (Adena & Brent, 2006).
Qualitative methods of study are more focused on forging comprehension based on meaning and knowhow derived from a social perspective to issues. On the contrary, the methods most applicable to the evidence based practices embraces objectivity as a standpoint in comprehending various phenomena (Malterud, 2010).
In addition, evidence based practices are committed to the minimizing of bias and invalidity in research findings.
In this regard, distinction is made between the qualitative and quantitative methods of study. In the quantitative research, the researcher uses their resourcefulness in responding to social cues, processing of collected data, and the alteration and modifications of the current research design to accommodate new findings resulting from data interpretations. On the contrary, in the qualitative methods, the researcher himself acts as the chief instrument through whom data is collected and analyzed. It is this researcher subjectivity; potentially acting as a source of invalidity and bias that rules out the use of qualitative research studies from evidence-based practices (Hoeck, …show more content…
2006).
The entire basis of evidence-based practices is focused on a deductive approach to issues. This is to mean that in solving an inquiry, a theory is developed that leads to the formation of a hypothesis. The hypothesis is later tested and validated or discarded based on the results of an experimental data. On the contrary, a qualitative study seeks to come up with a theory to justify the data collected instead of challenging it. Consequently, the methodology used in evidence-based practices and those adopted by the qualitative research studies seem contradictory (Adena & Brent, 2006).
The methods used to present findings also make the inclusion of qualitative research methods invalid for an evidence-based practice.
While the evidence-based practice is heavily reliant on utilizing precise findings in the summary of data, qualitative research is merely aimed at describing the phenomena at hand, and therefore, not practical enough in the study.
Furthermore, in randomly selected clinical trials, evidence-based practices emphasize on the need for the availability of “best evidence”. However, since qualitative research methods pay very little regard to quality, their application in the quest for “best evidence” is highly compromised. In addition, the inclusion of qualitative research methods is greatly hampered by the fact that there is no succinctly laid guideline to judge its success in a result-oriented evidence based practice. It also lacks clearly defined means of judging its validity, generalizability, reliability and objectivity (Malterud, 2010).
Conclusively, the use of qualitative research methods in evidence-based practices suffers various shortcomings. While this is so, it does not necessarily mean that they are entirely not applicable, but only require various modifications in a bid to be more useful in understanding evidence-based practice and contribute to its
development.
References
Adena B. & Brent S. (2006). The Role of Qualitative Research Methods in Evidence-Based Practice. NASP Communique, Vol. 34, #5. Web. http://www.nasponline.org/publications/cq/cq345research.aspx
Hoeck B. (2006). Qualitative evidence in evidence-based (nursing) practice. University of Aarhus & University of Odense, Denmark. Web. http://psy.au.dk/fileadmin/site_files/filer_psykologi/dokumenter/CKM/NB40/bente_hoeck.pdf
Malterud K. (2010). Qualitative research: standards, challenges, and guidelines. The Lancet, Vol. 358, Issue 9280, pp 483-488. Web. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2801%2905627-6/fulltext
Melissa Bermudez
Benjamin School of Nursing
Miami Dade College
Research designs & Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice is the process of utilizing research findings that are systematically researched and appraised as a foundation for clinical practice. On the other hand, a qualitative research could be defined as a subjective means applicable in the description and comprehension of life experiences. Over the years, the application of quantitative research studies has dominated the understanding of evidence-based practices while the use of qualitative research studies has generally taken a back seat. While in recent years, there have been attempts demonstrated at showing …show more content…
that qualitative research studies can still play a role in interpreting evidence-based practices, yet the progress has not been satisfactory. This article seeks to describe the reasons as to why the qualitative research studies are not included in the review of studies for evidence-based practice (Adena & Brent, 2006).
Qualitative methods of study are more focused on forging comprehension based on meaning and knowhow derived from a social perspective to issues. On the contrary, the methods most applicable to the evidence based practices embraces objectivity as a standpoint in comprehending various phenomena (Malterud, 2010).
In addition, evidence based practices are committed to the minimizing of bias and invalidity in research findings.
In this regard, distinction is made between the qualitative and quantitative methods of study. In the quantitative research, the researcher uses their resourcefulness in responding to social cues, processing of collected data, and the alteration and modifications of the current research design to accommodate new findings resulting from data interpretations. On the contrary, in the qualitative methods, the researcher himself acts as the chief instrument through whom data is collected and analyzed. It is this researcher subjectivity; potentially acting as a source of invalidity and bias that rules out the use of qualitative research studies from evidence-based practices (Hoeck, …show more content…
2006).
The entire basis of evidence-based practices is focused on a deductive approach to issues. This is to mean that in solving an inquiry, a theory is developed that leads to the formation of a hypothesis. The hypothesis is later tested and validated or discarded based on the results of an experimental data. On the contrary, a qualitative study seeks to come up with a theory to justify the data collected instead of challenging it. Consequently, the methodology used in evidence-based practices and those adopted by the qualitative research studies seem contradictory (Adena & Brent, 2006).
The methods used to present findings also make the inclusion of qualitative research methods invalid for an evidence-based practice.
While the evidence-based practice is heavily reliant on utilizing precise findings in the summary of data, qualitative research is merely aimed at describing the phenomena at hand, and therefore, not practical enough in the study.
Furthermore, in randomly selected clinical trials, evidence-based practices emphasize on the need for the availability of “best evidence”. However, since qualitative research methods pay very little regard to quality, their application in the quest for “best evidence” is highly compromised. In addition, the inclusion of qualitative research methods is greatly hampered by the fact that there is no succinctly laid guideline to judge its success in a result-oriented evidence based practice. It also lacks clearly defined means of judging its validity, generalizability, reliability and objectivity (Malterud, 2010).
Conclusively, the use of qualitative research methods in evidence-based practices suffers various shortcomings. While this is so, it does not necessarily mean that they are entirely not applicable, but only require various modifications in a bid to be more useful in understanding evidence-based practice and contribute to its
development.
References
Adena B. & Brent S. (2006). The Role of Qualitative Research Methods in Evidence-Based Practice. NASP Communique, Vol. 34, #5. Web. http://www.nasponline.org/publications/cq/cq345research.aspx
Hoeck B. (2006). Qualitative evidence in evidence-based (nursing) practice. University of Aarhus & University of Odense, Denmark. Web. http://psy.au.dk/fileadmin/site_files/filer_psykologi/dokumenter/CKM/NB40/bente_hoeck.pdf
Malterud K. (2010). Qualitative research: standards, challenges, and guidelines. The Lancet, Vol. 358, Issue 9280, pp 483-488. Web. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2801%2905627-6/fulltext