Using critical thinking and problem solving skills, how can health science professionals be successful in improving this problem?

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.