Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 2, 2025
13:44
Project-Based Learning Guidelines for Health Sciences Students: An Analysis with Data Mining and Qualitative Techniques
Published on: December 9, 2022
3.7K
Research Methodologies in Health Professions Education Publications: Breadth and Rigor
Heeyoung Han1, Julie Youm2, Constance Tucker3
1H. Han is associate professor and director of postdoctoral programs, Department of Medical Education, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7286-2473 .
Summary
This study analyzed 90 health professions education papers, finding quantitative methods were most common. Qualitative research demonstrated higher methodological rigor, highlighting areas for improvement in research design and reporting across the field.
Area of Science:
- Health Professions Education Research
- Scientific Methodology
- Knowledge Generation
Background:
- Research methodologies are foundational to knowledge creation in Health Professions Education (HPE).
- Understanding the diversity and rigor of methodologies in HPE is crucial for advancing the field.
- Limited studies have comprehensively examined these aspects in HPE publications.
Approach:
- A descriptive quantitative study analyzed 90 papers from 15 HPE journals (2018-2019).
- A codebook was used for group coding of fidelity, validity, and rater agreement.
- A methodological rigor index was developed and applied to assess each paper.
Key Points:
- Quantitative methods dominated (51%), followed by qualitative (28%) and mixed methods (20%).
- Qualitative papers reporting epistemological approaches exclusively used social constructivism.
- Participant demographics were primarily from North America (49%) and Europe (20%).
- Many studies lacked specified sampling strategies (56%) or sample size rationales (80%).
- The average methodological rigor score was 56%, with qualitative papers scoring significantly higher than quantitative and mixed methods papers.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights significant variation in methodological rigor across HPE research.
- There are critical gaps in reporting research methodologies and participant sampling.
- Future research should explore how methodological choices shape knowledge in HPE.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Methods of Documentation V: CBE
965
Charting by Exception, or CBE, is a method of documentation used in healthcare, particularly in nursing, that focuses on documenting only significant or abnormal findings rather than recording every detail. This approach aims to streamline the documentation process, improve efficiency, and ensure that healthcare providers can quickly identify deviations from normalcy in patient assessments.
In CBE, healthcare professionals establish predefined standards of practice that define what constitutes...
In CBE, healthcare professionals establish predefined standards of practice that define what constitutes...
965
01:20Study Designs in Epidemiology
373
Epidemiological study designs are fundamental tools for investigating the distribution, determinants, and control of health conditions in populations. They help researchers understand the relationships between exposures and outcomes, and they broadly fall into two categories: "observational" and "experimental" studies.
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and...
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and...
373
01:56Ethics in Research
23.8K
Today, scientists agree that good research is ethical in nature and is guided by a basic respect for human dignity and safety. However, this has not always been the case. Modern researchers must demonstrate that the research they perform is ethically sound.
23.8K
01:30Methods of Documentation VII: EMR
896
Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) primarily center around electronically documenting patients' health information within a single healthcare organization or practice. They contain essential clinical data related to a patient's medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, lab results, and other pertinent information relevant to the specific encounter or episode of care. EMRs are designed to streamline documentation and workflow processes within individual healthcare...
896
01:18The Scientific Method in Nursing Process
12.2K
The scientific method provides the foundation for any research. It is the most reliable and objective of all forms of gaining knowledge and guides in applying research-based evidence in practice and conducting future research.
When using research findings to change practice, one must understand the process used to guide a study. The scientific method is a systematic, step-by-step process that supports the data's validity, reliability, and generalizability. As a result, findings can be...
When using research findings to change practice, one must understand the process used to guide a study. The scientific method is a systematic, step-by-step process that supports the data's validity, reliability, and generalizability. As a result, findings can be...
12.2K
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
164
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
164