Understanding Research in Health and Social Care

• Health and Social Care
• Higher Education (non-degree)

Understanding Research in Health and Social Care

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson you will be able to define research and its purpose within the health and social care sector.

What do you already know about research in health and social care?

Definition of Research

A systematic investigation to establish facts or principles or to collect information on a subject.

Purpose of Research in Health and Social Care

Research serves to improve practices, inform policy, and enhance understanding of health issues.

Examples of Research in the Health and Social Care Sector

Studies on the efficacy of new treatments, analysis of health care policies, and surveys on patient satisfaction.

Issues Associated with Research

Ethical considerations, reliability and validity, and appropriate sampling techniques.

Research Methodologies in Health and Social Care

Quantitative and qualitative approaches, each with distinct advantages and considerations for generalization of findings.

Definition List

Research: A systematic investigation to establish facts or principles or to collect information on a subject.
Generalisation: The process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances.
Hypotheses: Propositions made as a basis for reasoning, without the assumption of its truth.
Reliability: The consistency of a research study or measuring test.
Validity: The extent to which a concept, conclusion or measurement is well-founded and likely corresponds accurately to the real world.
Sampling: The process of selecting a representative group from the population under study.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.