Health inquiry, research and evaluation
Inquiry and evaluation
Health inquiry involves defining a research question, selecting methods, collecting and analysing data, and interpreting findings ethically. Methods may be primary or secondary, quantitative, qualitative or mixed. Sampling affects representativeness; validity concerns whether a tool measures what it claims, while reliability concerns consistency. Qualitative work is judged by trustworthiness, including credibility and transferability. Ethics include informed consent, confidentiality, cultural safety and community benefit. Evaluation types include formative (improving design), process (implementation), impact (short-term changes) and outcome (long-term health status). Indicators should match the program logic.
Traps
A larger sample is not automatically representative. Correlation does not prove causation. Satisfaction surveys are not outcome evaluation. Questions may confuse reliability with validity, or overlook ethics and cultural protocols. Avoid claiming impact without baseline or comparison data.
Worked example
A community walking program is evaluated with attendance records (process), a pre- and post-survey of confidence and weekly walking (impact), and health-service data on chronic disease (outcome). Triangulating these sources strengthens conclusions.
Rule of thumb: match the method and indicator to the question, and do not claim more than the design can support.