|
Factors to consider
|
Research
|
Audit
|
| Who will be involved? |
May involve experiments on humans |
Never involves experiments |
| What does it hope to answer? |
A systematic investigation that aims to increase knowledge |
Not used to answer a new question. It is a regular,
documented critical analysis of the outcomes of care which is then
used to further inform practice |
| How will it change practice? |
The results are likely to change practice |
Evaluates established practises to assess how closely
practice meets known standards in order to identify opportunities
for improvement |
| Is it an experiment? |
Tests a new practice, therapy or drug |
Never tests a new practice, therapy or drug |
| Is it to test a hypothesis? |
Tests a hypothesis |
Does not always test a hypothesis |
| Will it involve any new treatment, tests or surgical
procedure? |
May be invasive |
Is non invasive |
| How will the participants be chosen? |
Participants are usually randomised |
Participants are never randomised. Audit may involve
patients with the same problem being given different treatments. Patients
are allowed to choose freely which treatment they get |
| Will consent be needed? |
Informed consent is obtained |
Consent is not required |
| Will it involve active participation or a change of
treatment for participants? |
Involves contact with participants |
May or may not involve patient contact but never involves
disturbance beyond that required for normal clinical management |
| What kind of study is going to be undertaken? |
Trials, cohort studies, questionnaires, qualitative
interviews |
Patient/customer surveys
Notes review
|
Complied from: Madden A (1997), The Royal Australian College
of Surgeons (2002), Royal College of Physicians of London (1996)
