Nursing Effects of Treatment Research 2022

Running head: NURSING
Nursing
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

1NURSING
1.
‘The scientific method provides the best way to answer questions, explain causal
relationships in nature, and test the effectiveness of treatments.”. The statement is true because
scientific method allows formulation and testing of hypothesis and questions by means of
systemic observation and experiments. It is the best way to answer questions because the process
used in scientific methods validates any observations and eliminates the possibility of bias too
(Salazar, Crosby & DiClemente, 2015). Hence, by adapting unbiased means to perform an
experience and test the hypothesis, scientific method helps to answer question about an event or
phenomena of interest.
The core advantage of scientific method compared to non-scientific treatment option is
that it helps to evaluate causal relationship and analyze the effectiveness of any treatment of
interventions too. This is because scientific method is based on logical process for investigating
about a question, whereas non-scientific method relies on intuition, logic and personal
experience to come to a conclusion on any topic. For example, scientific method involves
stepwise process of observation, hypothesis, experiment and then deriving theory or answer to
the question. Scientific method is concerned with many activities to validate the findings such as
observing, measuring, evaluating precision and errors, consulting date records, verification of
ideas and constructing explanations (Kaplan, 2017). Research design such as randomized
controlled trial, observation based method and experimental research design are examples of
scientific method design, whereas methods like random thoughts or opinion about any
phenomena without any systematic method of inquiry is non-scientific method.

2NURSING
The utility of a scientific method in knowledge acquisition and problem solving
compared to a non-scientific method can be explained with the help of real research question.
For example, the research study by Robinson et al. (2017) gave insight into the causal
relationship between obesity and screen media exposure. As many arguments exists regarding
the impact of media content on obesity related outcomes, the study gave evidence regarding
many experimental studies that evaluated the benefits of reducing screen media exposure on
obesity and weight gain in children. For example, the study gave evidence regarding finding
answer to the research question by conducting many observational studies and documenting use
of screen media and generating hypothesis related to causal relationships. For example, a
randomized controlled trial by Bergh (2013) gave evidence regarding the impact of reducing
screen time on weight gain in children. This was done by 20 weeks intervention where training
and education was provided to children and families were given monitoring devices to assist with
screen times and suggest other activity package to promote alternative activity. The observation
and documentation regarding the effect of such activity revealed no change in screen time.
Hence, by adapting a systematic process of investigation, the study proved that changing screen
time may not be effective. In contrast, non-scientific method uses the approach of just simple
survey without any process to analyze and validate the outcomes.
2.
The best design for an intervention study includes randomized controlled trial (RCT) as
this research design mainly focus on measuring the effectiveness of a new intervention or
treatment. RCT is most widely utilized to conduct an intervention based study as it is based on
use of process like random allocation, blinding, equal treatment of groups and treatment effect.
Intervention studies are those that are tailored to evaluate the impact of a treatment on disease or