IMAG 497 Research Methods

Discussion Questions - Module 5

IMAG 497—Research Methods in Allied Health

Module 5 Discussion

Introduction
The publication of research in a peer-reviewed journal means that the article
has passed the scrutiny of fellow scientists. Studies that have not been through
peer-review are not necessarily flawed, but peers have not been given the
opportunity to judge the scientific merit of the results that are derived from such
studies.

As an allied health professional you may not undertake research of your own.
However, you will read research and best practices in the profession are often
guided by research that has been conducted and published by others.

Research design and reports vary considerably. Before you rely on information
you read in an article or see quoted in a book, do some analysis of the published
report.

Instructions

1. Review the articles/links here.

• Orenstein, B. Scanning in Pain — Sonographers Seek Relief
From Job-Related Hazard. Radiology Today Vol. 10 No. 18
P. 24
http://www.radiologytoday.net/archive/rt111609p24.shtml
Accessed Jan 14, 2016.

• Preventing Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in sonographers.

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006–148. September 2006.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2006-148/pdfs/2006-148.pdf
Accessed Jan 14, 2016.

• Coffin CT. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in sonographers: a

review of causes and types of injury and best practices for reducing injury
risk. Dove Press. February 2014 Volume 2014:7 Pages 15—26
https://www.dovepress.com/work-related-musculoskeletal-disorders-in-
sonographers-a-review-of-cau-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-RMI
Accessed Jan 14, 2016. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/RMI.S34724

2. Compare the three reports on Work-Related Injury in Sonographers. State

your opinion on the research that was done (or not done!) in these reports.
See #10 in the checklist below.
• Note: You are not commenting/posting on whether or not you agree
with the topic in these reports—you are commenting on the research
design/methods and the subsequent published report.

1
IMAG 497 Research Methods
Discussion Questions - Module 5

3. Post a 150 word response to the threaded discussion in the module.

• At the end of your post, cite a scholarly reference of your own choosing or
support and cite your opinion from statements made in the article(s) by
providing a citation including page numbers from the article you are
utilizing.

4. Reply to one other students’ posts with a minimum of 50 words.

• Responses should include thoughtful substantive insight to the original
post you are responding to:
o Avoid “I agree” type responses that mostly repeat your original post
or paraphrase the post made by your classmate’s post.
o NOTE: This may require that you read several peer postings and
choose those that provide that opportunity

For all discussion question assignments use complete sentences, correct

spelling, punctuation, and proper grammar.

Note: The question(s) posed by the instructor, titles of articles, your name,
greetings/compliments to your classmates, your signature etc., and do not
count toward your 150 word post or 50 word responses.

Due dates are provided for the original post and the responses. NO POINTS
will be awarded for late submissions. This means missing the original post
due date will result in zero points for the assignment. Absolutely no
exceptions will be made.

Use this checklist, to assist you in your post and responses to the
discussion.

1. Why was the article written? To:

• Persuade the reader to do something
• Inform the reader
• Prove something

2. Is it a scholarly journal? (Be sure you know what is meant by a scholarly

journal!)
• Scholarly Journals contain articles describing high quality research that
has been reviewed by experts in the field prior to publication.

3. Date of Article. Is it:

• Up-to-date?
• Out-of-date?
• Timeless information not affected by date of publication?

4. References: What features of the references were present? Scholarly

works always contain a bibliography of the resources that were consulted and
cited. The references in the list should be in sufficient quantity and be
appropriate 2
IMAG 497 Research Methods
Discussion Questions - Module 5

for the content.

• Does a bibliography exist
• Is the bibliography short or long
• Is the bibliography selective or comprehensive
• Are the references primary sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journal
articles) or mostly secondary sources (e.g., Wiki, websites created for
the public versus professionals, etc.)
• Are the references contemporary to the article or much older
• Is the citation style clear and consistent

5. Usefulness: Is the article relevant to the profession?

A well-researched, well-written, article is not going to be helpful if it does not
address the topic at hand. Ask, "Is this article useful to the intended audience?" If
it is a useful article, does it:
• support an argument
• refute an argument
• give examples (survey results, primary research findings, case
studies, incidents)
• provide "wrong" or inconclusive information that can be challenged or
disagreed with productively through follow-up studies or research on
the topic

6. Authority: (You may need to look this up on your own!)

• Is the author an expert in this field?
• Where is the author employed? What else has he/she written?
• Has he/she won awards or honors? (You may need to look this up on your
own)
• Is there a conflict of interest? Was it declared? Would the author benefit in
any way from the results of the study?

7. Coverage:
• Does the article cover the topic comprehensively, partially, or is it an
overview?
• If the result is not conclusive, is further research on the topic suggested by
the author?

8. Audience:
For what type of reader is the author writing?
• general readers
• students
• specialists or professionals
• researchers or scholars

9. Illustrations:
• Are images, charts, graphs, photographs, etc. used to illustrate concepts?
If not—should they have been used?
• Are the illustrations relevant?
3
IMAG 497 Research Methods
Discussion Questions - Module 5

• Are they clear and professional-looking?

10. Summarize your thoughts and opinions about the article:

• Is the material organized and focused?
• Is the argument or presentation understandable?
• Is this original research, a review of previous research, or an informative
piece?
• Was the research design appropriate to the topic?
• Is there bias or conflict of interest by the authors or publishers?
• What did you like? What did you dislike? Why?

The grading rubric is provided to assist you – points awarded are at the sole
discretion of the instructor.

4
IMAG 497 Research Methods
Discussion Questions - Module 5

Grading Rubric

The grading rubric is provided to assist you – points awarded are at the sole
discretion of the instructor.

20 points. Perfect. Commented with thoughtful and substantive insight. 150 or

more words. Included a reputable/scholarly reference about research design or
used statements from the assigned reading to support your comments about the
published report. Responded to 1 other post with 50 words or more with
thoughtful feedback. No writing errors.

19-15 points. Very good. Commented with some thoughtfulness and insight.
150 or more words AND/OR referencing/supporting statements were used AND/
OR Responded to 1 other post with 50 words or more with feedback, but may
have lacked thoughtful insight AND/OR some minor writing errors.

14-10 points. Needed Improvement. Commented, but without substantive

insight AND/OR less than 150 words AND/OR no reference/supporting
statements AND/OR unacceptable support for your opinion AND/OR Less than 1
response AND/OR Responded to 1 other post without thoughtful feedback/mostly
posted “I agree or I disagree” without any insightful comment, AND/OR Writing
errors.

9-1 points. Unsatisfactory. Commented, but less than150 words AND/OR little or
no effort given to the posting/mostly copied what others posted AND/OR no or
unacceptable reference or support for your opinion AND/OR failed to respond to 1
other post AND/OR less than 50 word responses AND/OR mostly posted “I agree
or I disagree” without any insightful comment, AND/OR significant writing errors.

0 points. Did not complete the assignment AND/OR did not make the original
post by the due date AND/OR failed to address the topic of the discussion
AND/OR major writing errors.

NOTE: If the student fails to make an original post by the due date, ALL points for
the assignment are forfeited – none are awarded for subsequent responses. NO
EXCEPTIONS.