Research the common steps to the research process used in health care research.
Review steps covered in Understanding and Conducting Research in the Health Sciences this week, other readings, and resources, including the Methods Map Visual Search Tool from the University Library.
Complete the Research Process and Methods worksheet.
Cite 3 peer-reviewed or scholarly references.
Expert Solution Preview
The research process in healthcare research involves a systematic and rigorous approach to gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to generate new knowledge and insights. It follows a series of steps that ensure scientific validity and reliability. The common steps in the research process used in healthcare research are as follows:
1. Identify the Research Problem: This step involves identifying a research question or problem that requires investigation. It is crucial to define the problem clearly and concisely to guide the research process effectively.
2. Review Existing Literature: In this step, researchers review and analyze previous literature and studies related to the research problem. It helps in identifying gaps in knowledge, determining the theoretical framework, and developing hypotheses or research objectives.
3. Formulate the Research Design: Researchers select an appropriate research design that aligns with the research question and objectives. Common research designs in healthcare research include experimental, quasi-experimental, observational, and qualitative designs.
4. Select the Study Participants: The selection of study participants, also known as sampling, is a critical step in healthcare research. It involves identifying the target population and choosing a representative sample to ensure the generalizability of the findings.
5. Collect Data: This step involves collecting relevant and reliable data using suitable data collection methods. Data collection methods can include surveys, interviews, observations, medical tests, questionnaires, or existing medical records.
6. Analyze Data: Once the data is collected, researchers analyze it using appropriate statistical or qualitative analysis techniques. The objective is to examine the relationships between variables and draw meaningful conclusions from the data.
7. Interpret Findings: After analyzing the data, researchers interpret the findings in the context of the research question. They assess the significance and implications of the results and compare them to existing literature.
8. Communicate and Disseminate Results: The final step involves communicating the research findings to the scientific community and other stakeholders. Researchers may publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals, present them at conferences, or share them through various media channels.
These steps ensure a systematic and rigorous approach to healthcare research, enabling researchers to generate reliable and valid knowledge that contributes to advancements in the medical field.
