Research Methods and Critical Thinking Skills
1. Choose a subject in health care that is of interest to you. Examples might include health behaviors, epidemiology, health information, wellness activities, etc.
2. Research a possible issue or problem within this area of health care.
3. Form a hypothesis for how to solve the issue or problem you have identified and use the scientific method to create and test your hypothesis.
4. Create charts, graphs or maps to illustrate the data from your research.
5. Using critical thinking and problem solving skills, how can health science professionals be successful in improving this problem?
MAKE SURE YOU:
Successfully chooses a
topic and health problem
that is appropriate by
demonstrating all of the
following criteria:
● The topic is a
defined health care
problem.
● The topic can be
applied as a
focused research
question.
● The topic is
manageable.
● There is research
and material
available related to
the chosen
topic/health care
problem.
Successfully presents a
hypothesis for how a
health problem can be
addressed by
demonstrating all of the
following criteria:
● The hypothesis
clearly defines the
topic (health
problem) and
scope of the
experiment.
● The hypothesis is
specific and
defines the
variables that will
be tested.
● The hypothesis is
stated in the “if
what, then” format.
Successfully uses the
scientific method to prove
or disprove the
hypothesis by
demonstrating all of the
following criteria:
● Two or more
research studies
are used to
support, or refute,
the hypothesis.
● Two or more
research
methodologies are
demonstrated (i.e.
qualitative or
qualitative).
● All research
methodologies and
studies applied are
supported by
relevant and
credible sources.
Successfully provides
visual illustrations and
data in relation to the
healthcare problem by
demonstrating all the
following:
● One or more data
sets, or
illustration, is
provided.
● All data sets and
illustrations are
relevant to the
healthcare
problem.
● All data sets and
illustrations are
contextually
supported and
cited.
Successfully uses critical
thinking and problemsolving skills to provide
viable solutions to the
problem, by
demonstrating all of the
following:
● Identifies the
healthcare
problem and all of
the appropriate
variables.
● Provides one or
more viable
evidence-based
solutions to the identified health
care problem.
● All opinions are
supported by
relevant and
credible sources.