Overview of Research in Health Professions Education

Erlyn A. Sana, PhD (erlynsana@yahoo.com.ph) Professor National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions University of the Philippines Manila

Session Objectives
1. Discuss research, its rationale and processes, 2. Explore various areas that can be studied in health professions education, 3. Formulate these identified areas into research statements, questions and objectives.

Why research? (Kerlinger, 1964 cited in Sana, ed., 2010)

1. To answer questions to existing problems 2. To generate new knowledge

3. To formulate explanations to phenomena; build theory

Key considerations in choosing a research topic

1. 2. 3. 4. Competence and preferences of researcher Resources available including time Ethics Directives to investigate

The research process

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Review of related literature Development of research idea Statement of research problem Chapter 1: Introduction Formulation of research questions Formulation of research objectives Gathering of data Chapter 2: Methodology Analysis of data Presentation of results Summary, conclusion and recommendations

The research process & parts of a research proposal

Research Process
1. Review of related literature 2. Development of research idea 3. Statement of research problem 4. Formulation of research questions 5. Formulation of research objectives

Research Proposal
Chapter 1: Introduction
1. 2.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Background of the study Review of related literature and studies Theoretical or conceptual framework (if needed) Statement of the research problem: Statement of the problem, research questions, objectives Hypothesis or assumptions (if any) Definition of terms

The research process & parts of a research proposal

Research Process 1. Gathering of data 2. Analysis of data Research Proposal
Chapter 2: Methodology 1. Research design 2. Population of the study 3. Sampling procedures 4. Data collection procedures 5. Analysis of data

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Acknowledgment: Love happens, a Revolution Films Production Starring Aaron Eckhart (Dr. Burke Bryan) & Jennifer Aniston (Eloise Chandler) C:\Users\Erlyn A. Sana\Desktop\love happens2.mpg

The changing nature of inquiry

Positivist tradition
Nature as the object of inquiry: observable, measurable (quantifiable), recurring, and can be verified repetitively Rigid on hypothesis testing and formulation of measures and instruments

Constructivist or subjectivist tradition

Studies the essences of the human experience: can be emotions, interests, values, etc. which may be subjective and therefore not easily measurable Hypothesis, measures, and instruments vary according to the kind of data collected

Methodological debate Ideological debate

Considerations in identifying a research idea

1. Perceived discrepancy 1. Significance; relevance between what is and what ought 2. Researchability 2. A question of why such discrepancy exists 3. Feasibility 3. Availability of two or more plausible answers or solutions

Research ground in HPEd

Teaching and learning (TL)

The domains of learning: knowledge, skills and attitudes TL strategies: lecturing, small group learning, modular approach, open learning, interactive mode Philosophical and psychological foundations

Considerations in identifying a research idea

1. Perceived discrepancy 1. Significance; relevance between what is and what ought 2. Researchability 2. A question of why such discrepancy exists 3. Feasibility 3. Availability of two or more plausible answers or solutions

Research ground in HPEd

Vision, mission and goal Curriculum planning & development development Trends in health science education Problem-based learning Competency-based curriculum Community-oriented education

Considerations in identifying a research idea

1. Perceived discrepancy 1. Significance; relevance between what is and what ought 2. Researchability 2. A question of why such discrepancy exists 3. Feasibility 3. Availability of two or more plausible answers or solutions

Research ground in HPEd

Instructional design

Formulation of instructional objectives Organization of subject matter Vertical and horizontal integration Clinical teaching Preparation of instructional media

Considerations in identifying a research idea

1. Perceived discrepancy 1. Significance; relevance between what is and what ought 2. Researchability 2. A question of why such discrepancy exists 3. Feasibility 3. Availability of two or more plausible answers or solutions

Research ground in HPEd

Evaluation

Evaluation models Validity and reliability Evaluation of teachers Program evaluation Curriculum evaluation Evaluation of student performance Measurement, testing and grading

Considerations in identifying a research idea

1. Perceived discrepancy 1. Significance; relevance between what is and what ought 2. Researchability 2. A question of why such discrepancy exists 3. Feasibility 3. Availability of two or more plausible answers or solutions

Research ground in HPEd

Organization and management

Settings on the medical center, clinic, communities The medical center as a learning & social organization Selection of students and faculty

Considerations in identifying a research idea

1. Perceived discrepancy 1. Significance; relevance between what is and what ought 2. Researchability 2. A question of why such discrepancy exists 3. Feasibility 3. Availability of two or more plausible answers or solutions

Research ground in HPEd

Clinical teaching and evaluation

Development of clinical skills Standardized patients Bedside teaching Clinical preceptorials Patient management problems

Considerations in identifying a research idea

1. Perceived discrepancy 1. Significance; relevance between what is and what ought 2. Researchability 2. A question of why such discrepancy exists 3. Feasibility 3. Availability of two or more plausible answers or solutions

Other research grounds

Health Sciences

The Health Professionals

Clients: Pxs, HMOs, etc

Considerations in identifying a research idea

1. Perceived discrepancy 1. Significance; relevance between what is and what ought 2. Researchability 2. A question of why such discrepancy exists 3. Feasibility 3. Availability of two or more plausible answers or solutions

Popular research framework

Present

Intervention

New present

Experimental: what if

Popular research framework

Health Sciences Clients: Pxs, HMOs, etc

The Health Professionals

Descriptive study: what is

The research statement

Essentially the summary of the background of the study: captures in strongest terms the significance of the study, merits of doing the investigation, the main thesis (the science)
Stated in declarative sentences or paragraphs

Sample research idea and problem statement

Research idea

Passing rate in NLE continues to deteriorate There is increasing number of nursing schools The BSN curricula continues to evolve

Research statement: Nursing education in the Phil is deteriorating; performance in the NLE continues to go down while there is increasing

Sample research idea and problem statement

Research idea

PBL aims and prepares students to become SDL, problem solvers UERMMMC shifted to PBL PBL did not succeed in UE

Research statement:

Stating a research question:

Specific, measurable No value judgment Unambiguous and clear

Stated in an interrogative form but

preferably not just answerable by Y / N

Transforming the research statement into a question

Research statement Research question What are the problems in the implementation of the CBC that contribute to the deterioration of the NLE What are the other contributing factors to the deterioration of NLE?

The research objectives

Must have the same features as the research questions but includes the operationalization of the main concepts and units of analysis
Preferably stated in infinitive form

Transforming the research question into objectives

Research question What are the problems in the implementation of the CBC that contribute to the deterioration of the NLE What are the other contributing factors to the deterioration of NLE?

Research objectives 1. To describe how selected nursing schools in NCR implement the CBC 2. To determine how faculty,

Parts of a research proposal

Chapter 1: Introduction
1. 2. 3. 4. Background of the study Review of related literature and studies Theoretical or conceptual framework (if needed) Statement of the research problem, research questions, objectives Hypothesis or assumptions (if any) Definition of terms

Research idea

Research statement

5.

Research question

6.

Research objectives