Introducing, Designing and Conducting Research for Paramedics

1st Edition - August 2, 2022
Authors: Alexander Olaussen, Kelly-Ann Bowles, Bill Lord, Brett Williams
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 7 2 9 5 - 4 4 0 9 - 2
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 7 2 9 5 - 8 9 7 3 - 4

The profession of paramedicine is rapidly expanding and primary research relating to prehospital interventions is exploding worldwide. This new book provides, for the first ti… Read more

Introducing, Designing and Conducting Research for Paramedics

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The profession of paramedicine is rapidly expanding and primary research relating to prehospital interventions is exploding worldwide. This new book provides, for the first time, a meaningful and easy to understand guide to research specifically tailored for paramedics.

Written by experts in research, medicine and paramedicine, Introducing, Designing and Conducting Research for Paramedics introduces the reader to the concepts of research through real-life examples. The structure follows a logical sequence from an overview of the research process to how to generate, consume and implement evidence.

This book will be a valuable resource for paramedics and prehospital clinicians at any level, worldwide, who wish to contribute to the rapidly emerging body of evidence on paramedicine and understand how they can make use of this in their practice.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Preface
Contributors
List of Tables
List of Illustrations
Section 1. Introduction to Research
Introduction
Part One. Welcome to Your Research Journey
1. Historical perspectives and the emergence of research in healthcare
Introduction
Milestones in the emergence of research in healthcare
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
2. The importance of research for paramedicine as a profession
Introduction
Research-informed practice and patient outcomes in paramedicine
Research and clinician education in the paramedic profession
Research, professionalisation and the performance of service providers
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
3. Evidence-based practice for paramedicine
Introduction
Strengths and weaknesses of evidence-based practice
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
4. How to use this book
Introduction
Conclusion
Review questions
References
Part Two. Starting at the Start
5. How to determine what topic to research
Definition
Introduction
Example
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
6. Asking the answerable question
Introduction
Formulating the clinical question
Health policy and management questions
Formulating qualitative questions
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
7. What to do before you start
Introduction
The steps to getting started successfully
Conclusion
Review questions
References
8. Theoretical and conceptual frameworks for paramedicine research
Introduction
Defining the terms
Why consider the use of theories, theoretical frameworks and conceptual frameworks?
Example: Theoretical framework to inform deductive study
Example: Conceptual framework to structure an inductive study of paramedic role
Practical advice
Conclusion
Review questions
References
9. Overview of research designs and the hierarchy of evidence
Introduction
Hierarchy of evidence pyramid
Case study/case series
Ecological study
Cross-sectional study
Case-control study
Cohort study
Randomised controlled trial (RCT)
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
10. Thinking about ethics in research
Introduction
The origins of human research ethics and contemporary frameworks
The principles and values of human research ethics
Ethics approval processes
Applied example 1
Applied example 2
Applied example 3
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
Section 2. Preparing the Research
Introduction
Part Three. Finding What has Already been Done
11. Literature review process and production software
Definition
Introduction
11 Steps to conduct your own literature review
Examples of systematic reviews
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
12. Sourcing the available evidence (primary, secondary and tertiary evidence)
Definitions
Introduction
Search process
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
13. Appraising and critiquing the evidence from anecdotal, observational and experimental studies relevant to paramedic clinical practice
Introduction
Research evidence and its relevance to paramedic practice
Hierarchies of research evidence
Anecdotal, observational and experimental evidence
Methods for appraising and critiquing research evidence
Critical appraisal tools and reporting guidelines
Conclusion
Review questions
References
14. Structured reviews: Scoping, rapid, narrative and umbrella reviews
Introduction
Common review types other than the systematic review
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
15. Cochrane reviews and systematic reviews (including meta-analyses and meta-synthesis)
Definitions
Introduction
Characteristics of a systematic review
Cochrane reviews
What are systematic reviews used for?
Conducting a systematic review
How to read a forest plot
Example
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
Suggested viewing
References
Part Four. Methodological Considerations
16. Moral principles and ethical considerations
Definitions
Introduction
Ethics versus law
Principles of bioethics
Paramedical research
Ethical governance and ethics applications
Special populations
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
17. Data collection and storage
Definitions
Introduction
Data collection
Data verification
Data storage
Data retention
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
18. Reliability and validity in quantitative and qualitative research
Introduction
Reliability and validity in quantitative research
Reliability and validity in qualitative research
Example 1
Example 2
Conclusion
Review questions
References
19. Sampling
Definitions
Introduction
Sampling methods
Example
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
20. Power and sample size calculations
Introduction
Hypothesis testing
Statistical power
Sample size calculations
Example
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
21. Assessing bias
Introduction
Tools to assess for risk of bias
Common sources of bias
Examples
Conclusion
Review questions
References
22. Culturally inclusive considerations in paramedicine research
Introduction
Key concepts
Key considerations
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
Section 3. Explaining the What (Quantitative)
Introduction
Part Five. Quantitative Research Designs
23. Case reports and case series
Definitions
Introduction
Examples
Strengths and weaknesses of this design
Steps required to conduct your study of this design
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
24. Cross-sectional studies
Definition
Introduction
Strengths and limitations of cross-sectional study design
Steps required to conduct your own cross-sectional study
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
25. Case-control studies
Definition
Introduction
Example of a case-control study in paramedicine
Strengths and weaknesses of case-control studies
Steps required to conduct your own case-control study
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
26. Cohort studies and registry studies
Definition
Introduction
Differences from case-control and cross-sectional studies
Differences between prospective and retrospective
Steps required to conduct your own study of this design
Strengths and weaknesses of this design
Conclusion
Review questions
References
27. Randomised controlled trials
Definition
Introduction
Bias and confounding
Conducting clinical trials
Phases of a clinical trial
Clinical trial design
Random allocation
Allocation concealment
Blinding
Explanatory versus pragmatic trials
Examples
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
28. Experimental studies other than randomised controlled trials
Introduction
Option 1: Modifications to the RCT design
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
Part Six. Statistics/Quantitative Analysis
29. Data collection tools/approaches for quantitative research
Introduction
Reliability and validity
Self-reported data collection tools
Barriers to data collection in the out-of-hospital setting
Applied data collection in out-of-hospital care research
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
30. Types of quantitative data (continuous, categorical, distributions, skewness)
Introduction
Continuous data
Categorical data
Data distribution
Skewness
Example using cardiac arrest data
Correct identification of data types
Conclusion
Review questions
References
31. Descriptive statistics, missing data and testing assumptions
Descriptive statistics
Definition
Introduction
Examples
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
32. Confidence intervals, p-values, effect size and statistical significance
Definitions
Introduction
Examples
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
33. Inferential statistics: T-tests, regression analysis and adjustments (mediation versus moderation)
Introduction
T-tests
Regression analyses
Linear regression
Logistic regression
General notes
Examples
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
34. An introduction to survival analysis
Definition
Introduction
Tools for survival analysis
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
Section 4. Explaining the Why (Qualitative)
Introduction
Part Seven. Qualitative Research Designs
35. Phenomenology
Introduction
Transcendental phenomenology, hermeneutical phenomenology and bracketing
General processes for conducting phenomenological methodology
Examples
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
36. Action research methodology for out-of-hospital care researchers
Introduction
The action research cycle
Advantages and disadvantages
Applying the cycle in practice
Example 1
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
37. Case study
Definition
Introduction
What are the major variations of case studies?
Data included in case study research
Steps required to conduct your own case study research
Strengths and weaknesses of case study research in paramedicine
Examples
Conclusion
Review questions
References
38. Ethnography: A process and product
Definitions
Introduction
Strengths and weaknesses of this design
Steps required to conduct your own study of this design
Examples of paramedicine-focused ethnography
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
39. Grounded theory: An interpretation of social reality
Definition
Introduction
Grounded theory methodology
Examples
Strengths and weaknesses of this design
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
Part Eight. Qualitative Analysis
40. Data collection methods for qualitative research
Definitions
Introduction
Qualitative data collection approaches
Conclusion
Review question
Suggested further reading
References
41. Data management in qualitative research
Definition
Introduction
Recruitment
Preparation
Collection
Storage of data
Predict issues that may arise
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
42. Types of qualitative data
Introduction
Examples of qualitative data collection methods
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested reading
References
43. Developing themes
Introduction
Steps to thematic analysis
Limitations of thematic analysis
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested reading
References
Section 5. Other Ways to Answer the Question
Introduction
Part Nine. Combining Research Methods and Other Designs
44. Mixed methods design
Definition
Introduction
Mixed methods design in paramedicine research
Strengths and weaknesses
Conclusion
Review questions
References
45. Consensus group methods—the Delphi technique
Definition
Introduction
Strengths of the Delphi technique
Weaknesses of the Delphi technique
The Delphi technique process
Example
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
46. Consensus group methods—the nominal group technique
Definition
Introduction
Strengths of the nominal group technique
Weaknesses of the nominal group technique
Nominal group technique process
Example
Conclusion
Review questions
References
47. Cost-effectiveness research
Introduction
Steps required to conduct your own study of this design
Cost-effectiveness analyses
Strengths and weaknesses of this design
Conclusion
Review questions
References
Section 6. Sharing New Knowledge
Introduction
Part Ten. Disseminating and Implementing Research
48. Writing and getting your research published
Introduction
Phase 1: Pre-writing
Phase 2: Writing
Phase 3: Publishing
Phase 4: Peer-review
Phase 5: Post-publication and dissemination
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
49. Research dissemination and bibliometrics
Definition
Introduction
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
50. The implementation (translation) process
Definition
Introduction
Examples
Conclusion
Review questions
References
51. Grant writing and team building
Introduction
Building a research team
Research grants
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
Part Eleven. The Future of Paramedicine Research, Summary and Conclusion
52. Setting up the future of paramedicine
Introduction
A shared place to start
Being coordinated in our response
Supporting moonshots
Conclusion
Review questions
Suggested further reading
References
53. Summary, recommendations and conclusions
Index

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Alexander Olaussen

Kelly-Ann Bowles

Bill Lord

Brett Williams