Discuss the need for change.
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)
