Research in Health and Social Care

Research in Health and Social Care

Research is crucial in health and social care as it generates knowledge that is useful in improving patients’ outcomes and service delivery. Its effectiveness depends on the methodology, approach, and model that the researcher employs. Appropriate research processes and procedures assist scholars in achieving positive outcomes and contributing to knowledge. This paper examines elements that are paramount in health and social care research, particularly methods and ethics. Notably, health care research is shifting the focus to empirical research. This research, which is associated with experimentation and observation, is linked to the knowledge that is applicable to health and social scenarios since the evidence it produces is tested (Apuke, 2017). This paper explains empirical research knowledge, its relevance to health and social care, as well as its role in shaping and enhancing the body of knowledge. Researchers may employ qualitative or quantitative methods in empirical research. Each of these methodologies is suitable for specific topics or focus. In effect, this piece examines the purpose of each of the two research methods, as well as how they differ. To further explore their suitability, it discusses the pros and cons of each with respect to results accuracy, reliability, and validity (Taherdoost, 2016). Finally, this research considers the role of ethics in health and social care research. It discusses the essence of ethical considerations and the consequences of unethical research processes. This paper is instrumental in examining the fundamental approaches and practices in research to ensure it is acceptable and applicable in health and social care.

Meaning of Empirical Research

Empirical knowledge refers to the information gained from experimentation or observation. As a scientific process, the empirical process entails the collection and analysis of data (Cooper, Booth, Britten, and Garside, 2017). Empirical research involves the formulation of questions or hypotheses from which the model for experimentation and observation is based (Almeida and Faria, 2017).  The outcomes either approve or disapprove theory. This type of research is tested for accuracy, integrity, and quality.

Importance of Empirical Research

Empirical knowledge is useful in health and social care because it forms the basis for tested and informed conclusions. This knowledge is deduced from observation and experimentations that are most likely to be devoid of bias (Apuke, 2017). The circumstances under which empirical knowledge is obtained reduce the chances of biases. Importantly, in health and social care settings, empirical knowledge can be applied to improve processes and services (Cooper et al., 2017). Notably, health care professionals are charged with providing care that is not only professional but also evidence-based. Empirical knowhow is applicable in practice, hence effective in solving daily challenges experienced in health care settings. Since this type of knowledge is tested, it is associated with better patient outcomes (Cooper et al., 2017). This research model is effective in health care settings because it is based on evidence that can explain phenomena. It goes beyond the normative models by employing measures to reduced the chances of biases (Cooper et al., 2017). Conclusively, empirical knowledge is useful health and social care because it is conducted under practitioners’ settings. It is evidence-based, and it aims to eliminate biases and subject assertions. Therefore, this knowledge is applicable to various levels of health and social care.

Research Contribution to Knowledge

The research contributes to knowledge by proving theories and frameworks and informing action.  Scientific methodologies applied in research are fundamental in gaining objective insights. In this regard, research which uncovers evidence that is useful in academic and practice contributes to the body of knowledge (Bulterman-Bos, 2017). It is in the interest of researchers to solve problems in their specializations, as well as improve processes.  On the same note, researchers contribute to the body of knowledge by utilizing available theory and knowledge to conduct extensive research, which results in a new piece of insights or inferences (Bulterman-Bos, 2017).  In most cases, the essence of research is adding knowledge to its respective field.

Contribution to the body of knowledge takes several dimensions, which influence research methodology. The research covers problem identification, determination of causes, solutions, actions, and outcomes, and evaluation and monitoring, which under varied capacities provide predictions, description of situations, and explanation of phenomena, planning, and prescription, and course of action (“2.1 Why research?”, n.d.). Whenever research in these areas provides practical insights that have not been previously identified, it then contributes to knowledge.

For research to contribute to the body of knowledge, it requires unique attributes that result in new insights. The researcher should examine the area of study to ensure it is relevant to the current issues. This aspect is essential in ensuring that the research is not only pertinent but also up to date. On the same note, it is imperative to examine the issues that affect a discipline or a society. To add to the body of knowledge, research should provide insightful inferences to the current and trending issues (Bulterman-Bos, 2017). Finally, the model or approach of study can make research either useful or meaningless to the existing body of knowledge. Therefore, the research contributes to knowledge if it tackles critical issues that affect the society.

Purpose of Qualitative Method

A qualitative method has received recognition in health and social care studies. It is used by researchers to gain a deep understanding of events or phenomena instead of providing a description.  It is commonly used in research that entails cultural and social dimensions. Its purpose is to explain and understand phenomena with respect to participants’ views and experiences. Some of the common objectives of the qualitative method is decoding, interpreting, describing, and translating information to assign it meaning (Gregory, 2020). It uses interviews and observations, depending on the researchers’ approach. Qualitative research is effective in health and social care in instances where people assign meanings to structures, processes, and events. It considers assumptions, presuppositions, and perceptions (Rahman, 2016). The approach in this type of method can vary depending on the evaluation criteria, data collection, epistemology, and ontology (Berryman, 2019). In health and social care, the practitioners deal with some aspects that require explanation. Therefore, to explain such issues as commitment, openness, trust, and understanding, a qualitative approach is employed to explain the experiences or views of participants. Similarly, the qualitative method can be used to describe people’s experiences, attitudes, and beliefs, hence useful in explanatory research. Overall, qualitative research’s purpose is to provide deeper meaning as well as reasons for phenomena that may not be described based on their frequency but rather in terms of experiences and motivations.  Qualitative research, in essence, examines and reports on phenomena. Therefore, it helps in generating theory as the outcome of the study. Qualitative inquiry is designed to provide explanations and meanings to outcomes or actions by investigating relations, meanings, processes, and interpretations.

Purpose of the Quantitative Method

In health and social care, quantitative research attempts to establish statistical relationships between variables to describe and measure the causation and correlation (Rohrer, 2018). Its purpose is, therefore, to create understanding and knowledge with respect to occurrences and phenomena observation. Unlike a qualitative method, this approach relies on numerical data to deduce inferences about phenomena (Apuke, 2017). The outcomes of quantitative research specify important and unimportant factors on the phenomena in question. It provides details of the frequency or magnitude of variables. Importantly, the measures in quantitative methods are objective, and they utilize numerical, mathematical, and statistical analysis (Apuke, 2017). The manipulated statistical data is used to generalize the findings of the population of interest to explain the frequency and variables’ interdependence (Rohrer, 2018). Therefore, the aim of employing a quantitative research method is to examine the relationship between factors, commonly known as the independent and dependent variables. In health and social care, quantitative research is either experimental or descriptive (Rohrer, 2018). The purpose of the experimental study is to determine the cause of phenomena while that of a descriptive study is determining the relationship between variables. In sum, the quantitative approach’s purpose is to determine the relationship between factors or variables and establish causes of phenomena using numerical data, as well as statistical and mathematical analysis.

Difference between Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

Qualitative and quantitative methods are different in their approaches, data collection, and presentation. While qualitative research seeks to explore the research topic in detail, the quantitative study aims to realize the relationship between variables (Rahman, 2016). Concerning data collection, the qualitative method utilizes unstructured or semi-structured approaches, but quantitative research is structured. Thus, qualitative methodology is appropriate for exploratory studies, while the quantitative approach is effective in conclusive research (Almeida and Faria, 2017). Therefore, qualitative studies are useful in determining how people feel or think while quantitative research is essential for generating hard facts since they employ logical, statistical, and mathematical techniques.

The two methods differ in data collection and sampling techniques. Qualitative research uses a small sample size typically, while quantitative studies utilize large data sets. Mostly, qualitative methods employ a review of documents, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. On the other hand, quantitative research entails a review of numerical information, surveys, and structured interviews (Apuke, 2017). Therefore, a qualitative approach employs semi-structured or unstructured techniques, while quantitative research requires fixed responses. This data collection, validation, and analysis process make qualitative studies’ period shorter than quantitative ones (Rahman, 2016). While the primary objective for qualitative research is the formulation of theory or hypotheses, quantitative method tests for hypotheses, constructs, and specific concepts. Thus, the former is inductive while the former is deductive. It is important to note that qualitative research is based on subjective inferences. In contrast, quantitative studies are objective.  Another difference concerns reporting approaches. Qualitative researchers present their findings thematically while quantitative researchers employ statistical plots, tables, and chats.  The validity and reliability of qualitative research depend on the skill of the researcher (Almeida and Faria, 2017). On the other hand, quantitative research reliability and validity depend on instruments or tools employed in data analysis.

Advantages of Qualitative Method

One of the advantages of qualitative research is the flexibility it provides to the researcher. In case of inconvenience with respect to the subject matter, the researcher can adapt questions that fit the settings. Another advantage is that the qualitative approach is open to an explanation of critical issues that quantitative methodologies may not allow (Rahman, 2016). On the same note, it can capture changing attitudes.

Disadvantages of Qualitative Method

One of the cons of qualitative research is that it raises concerns due to the small sample size. Essentially, a small sample employed in the qualitative study may not be reflective of the views of most individuals in particular settings (Rahman, 2016). Another disadvantage is that it is subject to bias. The researcher may unconsciously or consciously select a sample that is favorable to them or their interests. In some instances, qualitative research leads to bringing together people, which may influence their views. Finally, this research method can influence answers, depending on how the questions are posed.

Advantages of Quantitative Method

Some of the benefits associated with quantitative research are based on the numerical based analysis. Since the data collected can be replicated in tests and results, it reduces the chances of argument against the research credibility (Apuke, 2017). Additionally, due to the complexity and technicality involved in data analysis, the research is considered not only impressive but also valuable. Finally, quantitative research yields results that are straightforward since the type of data collected determines the statistical test to be applied (Apuke, 2017). As a result, interpretation, as well as presentation, is hardly subjective.

Disadvantages of Quantitative Method

Despite the straightforward aspects of quantitative research, it can be limiting. Firstly, researchers can overlook critical themes due to the focus on numbers and statistical relationships. Secondly, the dynamics of quantitative research can subject the researcher difficulties in developing a study model (Almeida and Faria, 2017). It requires the development of the hypothesis, data collection, and analysis model before conducting the fieldwork. In the case of inappropriate models, all results are considered useless (Almeida and Faria, 2017). Finally, this research can also be misleading since biases and opinions of the research can impact the research model. Furthermore, the fact that quantitative research is based on statistics can lead to deception because it is considered scientific or credible, yet it is subject to bias and erroneous limitations.

Meaning of Ethics

Ethics refers to a collection of moral principles that influence a person’s behavior, actions, or decisions. This discipline involves philosophical inquiries that guide systematic processes of determining right and wrong actions. It, therefore, covers diverse issues involving professionals or people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds (al-Attar, 2017). Ethics address issues related to life, responsibilities, rights, and moral decisions. Primary, it is the discipline that helps individuals to identify right and wrong, as well as unacceptable conduct. Ethics are divided into applied, normative, and meta-ethics. Meta-ethics delve into the origin of ethical principles, as well as their meanings, which requires examining moral judgment (al-Attar, 2017). Applied ethics can be controversial since they address such issues as capital punishment, animal rights, and war. Notably, people can make varied judgments in applied ethics due to their social background. Finally, normative ethics deal with the judgment of right or wrong, as well as criteria for making decisions. Therefore, ethics, as a discipline, deals with principles that influence decisions, behavior, or actions.

Importance of Ethical Considerations

Ethics covers the set of rules and expectations that govern individual behavior. Adherence to these guidelines is essential in professional and personal relationships. Whether in research or workplace, the persons involved should have guiding factors for them to achieve their aims without conflicting views concerning right and wrong (Sng et al., 2016).  Ethical considerations help them in cooperating. For researchers’ engagements to be fruitful, they should have fundamental ethics, which help them to collaborate and work as a team. Lack of these considerations can spur controversies and disagreements (Sng et al., 2016). Furthermore, ethics ensure that projects and research are sustainable. In effect, members of the public trust parties that portray ethical principles in their endeavors.  Therefore, ethical considerations help people to work together by ensuring that they have fundamental principles that they follow in their engagement, as well as developing the framework for their actions, decisions, and commitment.

Additionally, ethical considerations assist people and organizations from unwarranted integrity and accountability questions. For instance, failure to consider ethical principles can subject individuals to legal proceedings, especially when they violate human rights or fail to comply with statutory provisions (Sng, Yip and Han, 2016). Similarly, public officers or other persons that deal with community issues should be accountable for their actions. Ethical considerations aid them in achieving this goal, as well as avoid integrity questioning (Sng et al., 2016). Thus, ethical considerations assist professionals, researchers, and public officers in adhering to their mandate and fulfill their duties.

Consequences of Research without Ethical Considerations

Research without ethics can be detrimental to the members of the public. It can have dire consequences to both participants, researchers, and the study outcomes (Gregory, 2020). Unethical practices can lead to deaths in healthcare-related research or unacceptable results. Without the right ethical measures in place, research can be deemed inaccurate or falsified (Sng et al., 2016).  As a result, the study can lose its credibility in the community. On the same note, it can face challenges at the community level with regard to the acceptance and authenticity of the results. In this regard, failure to comply with ethical standards while conducting research that involves humans or animals can result in unacceptability. It can also subject the researcher to legal action (Sng et al., 2016). Fundamentally, studies that are unethical can harm the community, and they can be considered unsuitable for public use, rendering them useless.

Conclusion

Research is a critical component for obtaining health and social care knowledge and practice. It is, therefore, imperative for researchers to follow appropriate approaches and methodologies to conduct studies. Empirical knowledge is valuable in health and social care because it is acquired from experimentation and observation. This type of knowledge is well-tested. Additionally, it does not, in most cases, suffer from biases. Furthermore, it is evidence-based, hence applicable to practice. Having considered empirical research and knowledge, the researcher must select the appropriate methodology. Both quantitative and qualitative are suitable for specific studies. The quantitative method is useful in establishing causes and correlation of variables, while the qualitative approach used to gain insights and a deeper understanding of a topic. The two differ in that the qualitative method is textual, unstructured, inductive, and subjective, while quantitative research is numerical, structured, deductive, and objective. Each of them is useful, depending on the topic of study. Finally, these studies entail several processes, which require ethical considerations. Ethics helps researchers to cooperate and collaborate as well as achieve research objectives. They also assist them in avoiding harm to the participants. Research that follows ethical principles is not only acceptable at the community level but also devoid of accountability and integrity challenges. Therefore, empirical research in health and social care requires adherence to ethics, as well as the selection of the appropriate empirical research method, either qualitative or quantitative.

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