The Scientific Method Peg Bottjen, MPA, MT(ASCP)SC

Objectives After this lecture the student will be able to:  Recognize their use of the scientific method  Outline the scientific method  Recognize different types of research  Compare qualitative & quantitative research  Explain why research is important to an allied health professional.

Inquiring Minds Need to Know

Natural Curiosity  Describe  Explain  Predict  Control the world

Methods of Inquiry  Authority  Rationalism  Intuition  Scientific

Basis of Scientific Method  Skepticism  Any proposition is open to doubt  Determinism  Events occur according to regular laws/causes  Empiricism  Conduct inquiry through observation and verification

The Scientific Method ObservationsTheoriesHypotheses

Observations  Precise, unbiased recording of persons, objects, and events.  Descriptive statements  Measurements by instruments  Accurate and able to be reproduced

Hypotheses  Statements which specify the nature of the relationship between two sets of observations.

Theories  General explanatory systems that represent our current state of knowledge about the world.

The Scientific Method ObservationsTheoriesHypotheses

The Scientific Method  State the problem  State a testable or measurable hypothesis  Plan the methods to be used for the study  Do the study  Analyze the data  State the conclusions

Location of Research  Laboratory research: conducted under tightly controlled conditions  Field research: conducted in the real world, not conducted under the tightly controlled conditions of the laboratory

Types of Research  Basic research: performed for the sake of knowledge alone  Applied research: performed with a specific question or application in mind

Applied Research in the Health Sciences  Prevalence & cause of illness  Usefulness & accuracy of assessment techniques  Effectiveness of treatment

Prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and obesity related health risk factors, JAMA 2003:289;76–79.

Are the established charts of fetal femur length reliable for the prediction of gestational age in a Chinese population?

The effect of TAMO treatment on gait and stance.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative  Measurable variables  Numbers  Instruments  Patient as object  Interpretative approach  Values  Opinions  Environment  Patient as persons

Research Process Planning Hypothesis or Aims Research Design Data collection Organization and Presentation of Data Data Analysis Interpretation and Conclusions

Conceptual Basis for Clinical Practice  Close relationship between clinical practice and the scientific approach  Evidence based practice  Research methodologies are essential to practice

Summary  Recognized the use of the scientific method  Outlined the scientific method  Different types of research  Compared qualitative & quantitative research  Research is important to an allied health professional