VCU PROJECT EMPOWERMENT

FOUNDATIONS OF RESEARCH: FOUNDATION, IMPORTANCE AND KEY ELEMENTS

Kelli Williams Gary, Ph.D., MPH, OTR/LPost-doctoral Research Fellow

Importance of Research

Someone you know today is alive because of research.

Importance of Research

Today you are more aware of the nutritional value of food due to research.

Importance of Research

Today you can travel from New York to California in less than 5 hours due to research.

Foundations“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.”

Zora Neale Hurston

Definition of Research Systematic inquiry that uses

disciplined methods to answer questions or solve problems.

State the problem

Define the

purpose

How to gather

the informati

on

How to organize

and analyze

the informati

on

How the informati

on is interpret

ed

Foundations

Designed to extend the base of information for increasing knowledge. Application of imaging

studies Development of

animal models Studies of genetic

variables

Designed to focus on finding solutions to existing problems. Research on the

development of preventative interventions

Research that examines the influence of race, culture and socio-economic status on the etiology

Research that examines mediating and moderating variables in the trajectory

Basic Research Applied ResearchVs.

Foundations

Action Research Based on premise that

production of knowledge can be political and can be used to exert power. Participatory Action Research

Researchers work with communities that are vulnerable to dominant group or culture.

Key objective is to produce an impetus that is directly used to make improvements through education and sociopolitical action.

Foundations

Types of Variables Continuous

Can assume an infinite number of variables of values between two points.

Categorical Small range of values that do not

inherently represent a quantity. Dichotomous variables.

Discrete A finite number between two points

representing discrete quantities.

Foundations

Types of Variables Independent variables

The presumed cause. Sometimes called criterion variable.

Dependent variables The presumed effect. Sometimes called outcome

variable.

Types of Research DesignQuantitative Definition Research Question

Retrospective Designs Phenomenon that exist in present and is linked to phenomenon in

past.

What effect did pre-injury lifestyle factors between minorities and

non-minorities have on first-time noncardioembiolic stroke?

Correlational Designs Attempts to understand the relationship among phenomenon

that naturally occurs without intervention.

What is the relationship between minority status and acute length of stay after mod. to severe TBI?

Prospective Designs Begin with a presumed cause and look forward in time for its effect.

What effect did individualized vocational services have on

employment status of minority SCI patients at 1 year post-injury.

Qualitative Definition Research Question

Ethnography In depth inquiry that involves the description and interpretation of cultural behavior through field

work and written text.

How do minorities in urban areas view disability?

Types of Research Design

Integration of Qualitative and Quantitative

Definition Research Question

Triangulated Designs Both quantitative and qualitative methods are used to describe the

same phenomenon.

Quantitative—How prevalent is chronic disability among inner-city

minority communities?Qualitative—How is chronic

disability experienced by inner-city minorities?

Ethics and Research

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Group of people that monitors research

designed to obtain information from or about human subjects. Members of an IRB come from multiple research disciplines and from the communities in which the research is conducted.

Objectively assess the risk/benefits of research to protect research subjects’ rights.

Full review, expedited review, and exempt.