Practice-based research: Study design
spotlight topic:
3. Study design
Published 11 June 2021 | Updated 5 January 2024
In order to carry out practice-based research it is important to have a clearly defined question and choose the appropriate study design to answer it. Further information on asking an answerable question and appropriate study design can be found in the EBVM toolkit.
- EBVM Toolkit 1: Asking an answerable clinical question [RCVS Knowledge][online] Available from: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/ebvm-toolkit-1-asking-an-answerable-clinical-question [Accessed 28 May 2021]
- EBVM Toolkit 3 – Introduction to “Levels of evidence” and study design [RCVS Knowledge][online] Available from: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/ebvm-toolkit-3-introduction-to-levels-of-evidence-and-study/ [Accessed 28 May 2021]
- Giuffrida, M.A. (2016) Defining the primary research question in veterinary clinical studies. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 249 (5), pp. 547-551. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.249.5.547
- Shott, S. (2011) Designing studies that answer questions. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 238 (1), pp. 55-58. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.238.1.55
- Cardwell, J.M. (2008) An overview of study design. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 49 (5), pp. 217-218. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2008.00594.x
- [VN] Bloor, C. (2011) Research methodology for veterinary nurses. The Veterinary Nurse, 2 (6), pp. 288-294. https://doi.org/10.12968/vetn.2011.2.6.288
- Sargeant, J.M., Kelton, D.F. and O’Connor, A.M. (2014) Study designs and systematic reviews of interventions: building evidence across study designs. Zoonoses and Public Health, 61 (s1), pp. 10-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12127
- Schulte, E. and Arlt, S.P. (2022) Study design quality of research on dogs published in peer-reviewed journals. Veterinary Record, 190 (5), e1382. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.1382
- Hennessey, M. and Barnett, T. (2023) Method in limbo? Theoretical and empirical considerations in using thematic analysis by veterinary and One Health researchers. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 221, no 106061. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.106061
References marked VN were written specifically for veterinary nurses but may contain useful information for anyone considering undertaking practice-based research.
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