Business Research Methods: Toward Evidence-Based Practice

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Business Research Methods
Chapter 1
Toward Evidence-Based
Practice
Copyright © 2018, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Learning Objectives (1 of 2)
Students will be able to:
1.1 Identify and describe the characteristics of evidence based practice.
1.2 Recognize various forms of alternative sources of knowledge (logic,

tradition, and authority) and identify when decisions and opinions are being
influenced by these sources.
1.3 Describe why scientific knowledge is preferable to alternative sources of

knowledge when making social work practice decisions.
1.4 Define the types of knowledge derived from scientific research

(descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive), and identify which type or types
are being sought in a given research study.
1.5 Differentiate research studies based on the study’s general purpose or

goal (basic versus applied research).
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Learning Objectives (2 of 2)
1.6 Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative research methods, and
describe at least the basic characteristics of each.
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Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

EBP requires the integration of:
 Practice experience and expertise
 Client preferences and values
 Best available evidence from research
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5-Step Process for EBP

Step 1. Convert our need for information about the causes of the problem, and
for possible interventions, into an answerable question.
Step 2. Track down the best evidence with which to answer that question.
Step 3. Critically appraise that evidence for its validity, impact, and applicability.
Step 4. Integrate the critical appraisal with our clinical expertise and the client’s
unique values and circumstances.
Step 5. Evaluate our effectiveness and efficiency in carrying out steps 1–4 and
seek ways to improve our practice.
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Alternate Knowledge Source:

Logic
 Some beliefs are self-evident and logical.
 Some beliefs just make sense.
 Unfortunately, logic can lead us to some beliefs that are just plain wrong.
 Logic and common sense have led to some costly errors:

 Scared Straight
 DARE program
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Tradition
 Some beliefs are accepted in our culture, and are generally not questioned or
challenged.
 Unfortunately, traditional beliefs may promote stereotypes and thus continue
the oppression of some members of our society.
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Authority
 Other knowledge is gained through deference to authority figures.
 This could be physicians, politicians, administrators in our agencies, or

professors.
 Unfortunately, people in authority are also subject to bias and limited
experience.
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Faulty Knowledge Promotes Stereotypes

 Logic, tradition, and authority can affect our judgment, cause us to draw
erroneous conclusions, and promote faulty stereotypes and generalizations
about people.
 There is often a wide disparity between what is generally believed to be true
and what research has revealed.
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Misuse of Research Data

 Research has the potential to dispel myths and stereotypes derived from less
trustworthy sources of knowledge.
 BUT research can also be used to lend credence to myths and stereotypes.
 Research findings should be presented in a complete and unbiased way or it

has the potential to mislead its readers.
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Scientific Method
 Science is empirical.
 Science strives for objectivity.
 Science produces provisional knowledge.
 Science employs a public way of knowing.
 Science employs certain rules, procedures and techniques.
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Types of Scientific Knowledge:

Descriptive Knowledge
 Descriptive knowledge gives us a better understanding of a problem by giving
us a reasonably accurate picture of the way things are at a given point in time.
 It frequently forms the basis for desirable changes in our society.
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Predictive Knowledge
Predictive knowledge helps us anticipate by allowing us to
project into the future and to predict with reasonable
accuracy what will be.
It evolves from the accumulation of descriptive knowledge
that reveals consistent reoccurring patterns.
It stops short of suggesting how to intervene to prevent or
treat a problem.
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Prescriptive Knowledge
Prescriptive knowledge suggests how to intervene to
prevent a problem from occurring or how to treat a problem
that already exists.
It is usually based on the findings of carefully designed
research studies.
Prescriptive studies offer the social worker knowledge for
developing interventions and promoting policy changes.
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Basic and Applied Research

 Basic research is research that is designed to contribute to our general
professional body of knowledge.
 Applied research is designed to produce knowledge that is immediately
applicable to our practice.
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Quantitative Research
 Quantitative research methods are used to provide accurate measurement of
variables and identify possible relationships between the variables.
 Relies on the use of “logical positivism” for building knowledge.
 Stresses the use of deductive logic to arrive at conclusions.
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Steps in the Quantitative Process (1 of 2)

 Problem identification
 Research question formulation
 Literature review
 Construction of hypotheses or refinement of research questions
 Design and planning
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Steps in the Quantitative Process (2 of 2)

 Data collection
 Sorting and analysis of data
 Specification of research findings
 Interpretation of research findings
 Dissemination of research findings
 Use of findings by the social worker
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Qualitative Research
 Qualitative research seeks to understand human experiences from the
perspective of those who experience them.
 Emphasizes words like subjective, relative, or contextual.
 Relies on inductive logic instead of deductive logic.
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Steps in the Qualitative Process

 Collection of a wide range of data.
 Observation of patterns in the data.
 Formulation of tentative explanations.
 Development of theories (and sometimes, hypotheses).
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Quantitative versus Qualitative Research

Debate
 It is now generally agreed that both quantitative and qualitative methods are
necessary to truly understand a problem.
 Neither type of research is inherently superior to the other.
 Research studies are often hybrids, containing aspects of both quantitative

and qualitative methods.

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1

Business Research Methods

1.1 Identify and describe the characteristics of evidence based practice.

1.2 Recognize various forms of alternative sources of knowledge (logic,

1.3 Describe why scientific knowledge is preferable to alternative sources of

1.4 Define the types of knowledge derived from scientific research

1.5 Differentiate research studies based on the study’s general purpose or

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

5-Step Process for EBP

Alternate Knowledge Source:

 Some beliefs just make sense.

 Logic and common sense have led to some costly errors:

Alternate Knowledge Source:

Alternate Knowledge Source:

 This could be physicians, politicians, administrators in our agencies, or

Faulty Knowledge Promotes Stereotypes

Misuse of Research Data

 Research findings should be presented in a complete and unbiased way or it

 Science strives for objectivity.

 Science produces provisional knowledge.

 Science employs a public way of knowing.

 Science employs certain rules, procedures and techniques.

Types of Scientific Knowledge:

Types of Scientific Knowledge:

Types of Scientific Knowledge:

Basic and Applied Research

 Stresses the use of deductive logic to arrive at conclusions.

Steps in the Quantitative Process (1 of 2)

 Research question formulation

 Construction of hypotheses or refinement of research questions

 Design and planning

Steps in the Quantitative Process (2 of 2)

 Sorting and analysis of data

 Specification of research findings

 Interpretation of research findings

 Dissemination of research findings

 Use of findings by the social worker

 Relies on inductive logic instead of deductive logic.

Steps in the Qualitative Process

 Observation of patterns in the data.

 Formulation of tentative explanations.

 Development of theories (and sometimes, hypotheses).

Quantitative versus Qualitative Research

 Research studies are often hybrids, containing aspects of both quantitative

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