Dissemination and Critical Evaluation of Published Research

Peg Bottjen, MPA, MT(ASCP)SC

Objectives

Upon the completion of this lecture and

exercise the student will be able to: Recognize methods of research

dissemination Describe the conventional format of

published research Evaluate a published article according to

criteria given

Purpose of Published Research

Answer questions using scientific method

Descriptive Correlational Causal – explain causation

Dissemination of Research

Oral report Poster presentation Journal article

Format of Research Presentations

Title Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

Title

Concise, descriptive sentence stating the

exact topic of the report. Identifies the subjects of study Variables, characteristics Followed by investigator’s name and

affiliation

ex. The incidence of alcoholism in health professionals as a function of work-related stress.

Abstract

Short, concise paragraph describing entire report (<250 words)

One or two precise sentences from each section Introduction Method Results Discussion

Introduction

Background – reasons to conduct study, theoretical framework, literature review

Statement of purpose – goal of study, problem statement

Hypotheses – educated guess as to relationship between variables

Research question – specific question studied

Past - - Present

Method

Subjects – who they are, how obtained

Materials – equipment, apparatus, instruments used, quality of instruments

Procedures – how study conducted, what subjects did or what was done to them

Method

Reliability Validity Statistical Methods

Reliability - Precision

The test or assessment measures the same thing every time and results in the same answer every time.

Test-retest – correlates 1st to 2nd Inter-observer – between different observers Internal consistency – between items

measured

Validity - Accuracy

The test or assessment measures what it claims to measure. Sensitivity - % true positive Specificity - % true negative

Test Result Disease Present Disease Absent

+ True + False +

- False - True -

Validity

Predictive value Ability of a measurement to predict the

value of it or another test in the future (prognosis)

What is predictive value of an ACT score to your grade point average in college?

Results

Technical data In text In tables In figures

Discussion

Non-technical interpretation of results Connect results to purpose, hypotheses, and

theory Explain results Identify limitations Suggestions for further

research

References

List of literature discussed Sufficient detail so reader can identify

and retrieve the source Journal articles, internet sources, books,

newspapers, personal correspondence, and videos

Critical Evaluation of Research

Goal: to be able to identify strengths and weaknesses of each component of a research report

Why?

Look at sample given to you.

Describe the format.

Does it follow the conventional

format we have described?

Title

Does the title help you understand the article?

Abstract

Is the abstract understandable?

Introduction

Question: What question is the study designed to answer?

Literature Review: What is already known about this area of knowledge?

Methods

What was done to answer the question?

Results

What did the researcher find?

Discussion

What does the researcher say about the results?

Weaknesses Identified

Strengths Identified

Overall Evaluation

What is your judgment of this study?

Summary

Format of research articles Critical evaluation of research article Value of this skill to Health Professionals