This type of data is what we normally elicit when we have a PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes) question. It involves measurement of objects, environment, human clinical parameters, surveys, etc. There may or may not be an intervention with a therapy, a test, a natural event, and it may be controlled or not, blinded or not. The study population size is determined in advance in order to achieve statistical significance. Some examples include:
- Cross-sectional study – this is a “snap shot” analysis of opinion or experience. It can be repeated after an intervention to make comparisons. (Eg: patient satisfaction with care). Typically, a survey tool is administered to participants.
- Cohort* – this is where you follow participants over time. This is not a controlled trial. (Eg. Determine whether a specific diet can reduce the risk of diabetes.)
- Trial* – this is where you trial a therapy with a control group for comparison, preferably blinded. (Eg RCT to determine if a new wart treatment is better than placebo)
Data request/Resident Access Residents may request access to Family Practice resident data or request access to fellow family practice residents (e.g. distribute surveys, conduct interviews) for their resident scholar project.
Please review the guidelines under ‘Data request/Resident Access’ and submit completed Data request/Resident access application form to Data Concierge Committee. For all other inquiries related to Data request/Resident access please contact the Data Concierge Committee at: fmprpostgrad.research@familymed.ubc.ca
Results: Clearly present results in text and tables without overlap. Note the response rate, if appropriate. A figure showing the sampling strategy is useful. Relate results to the research question. Confidence intervals should be used whenever possible. Statistics given should be appropriate to study design and numbers. Results section should not include commentary.
Discussion: Cover what new information has been found. Describe clinical and statistical significance, how results compare with the literature, possible explanations for results, and future directions for research. Limitations and how they might have affected the results should be discussed. Speculation must be reasonable.