Classmate 1
Meershoek and Krumeich (2009) mentioned that when it comes to understanding culture, it is not a simple definition as to say it is something people have or belong too, but culture is rather complex (p. 175). They go on further to claim that culture is based on interactions that constantly changes. When conducting applied research in a global setting, there are issues that can arise. A specific cultural issue surrounding this can be viewing behavior as culturally determined. This issue makes a difference on whether something should be respected and accepted as cultural norms, as whether it can change or whether there is a cultural explanation. Interpreting something as culturally expected can lead to complications with conducting applied research. Things can get misunderstood and labeled incorrectly. Furthermore, understanding whether something is just a behavior or part of a deeper value system makes a huge difference in approach as well.
Reference:
Meershoek, A., & Krumeich, A. (2009). Multiculturalism and the construction of ethnic identities in labour and health practices: Avoiding the culturalistic fallacy in applied research. Health Care Analysis : HCA, 17(3), 173-97. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10728-008-0097-5
Classmate 2
Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is a relatively new approach to decision-making, derived from clinical medicine, utilized to determine the best and most current evidence available to decisions about patient treatment and care. This concept has recently been adapted by other disciplines to assess directions in education, psychology, business, etc. The discipline that utilizes and frames this concept in a clear and concise way that resonates with me most is nursing. According to Huett & MacMillan for example, evidence-based practice in nursing focuses on the idea that medical practices ought to be developed and adapted based on an ongoing cycle of evidence, theory, and research (2011). More specifically, there are six components to EBP in nursing that incorporate the following:
1. Assess the need for change: Formulate the research question based on the inadequacies of current practice.
2. Locate the best evidence: Obtain sources and assess their credibility and relevancy to the research question.
3. Synthesize evidence: Compare and contrast the available sources to find similarities and differences in the various approaches taken.
4. Design the change: Apply the synthesized evidence to create a change in practice that reflects the new understanding.
5. Implement and evaluate: Apply the necessary changes and assess the changes to acquire new evidence.
6. Integrate and maintain changes: Reassess based on new evidence to continue improvement.
(Huett & MacMillan, 2011)
This particular approach resonates with my profession in public health and education due to the multi-disciplinary nature of the action steps which involve what resembles a needs assessment process which eventually leads to an intervention. Like needs assessments, EBP requires that an assessment of the problem take place, one that utilizes a systematic research methodology. In seeking evidence, needs assessments utilize available sources. of existing data or can often gather data using qualitative and or quantitative methods. Once the data is collected and analyzed, it is compared and evaluated against other existing data. Results are often then used as a foundation for the implementation of an intervention or practice.
Regardless of the discipline, EBP is an important mechanism to ensure that best practices are utilized to create safe environments for patients, clients, students and the general public at-large.
Reference
Huett, A. & MacMillan, D. (2011, June). Evidence-based practice. Retrieved from http://www.una.edu/writingcenter/docs/Writing-Resources/Evidence-Based%20Practice.pdf
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