Article type
Year
Abstract
Introduction: Empirical research on problems in bioethics can shape philosophical discourse, media coverage, public perception, clinical practice, and public policy. Critical appraisal and meta-analyses are techniques that have been widely applied to evaluate evidence in the clinical arena, but these techniques have not been applied to empirical research in bioethics. We designed a study to examine the possibility of introducing these techniques to bioethics.
Objective: To gain a systematic understanding of the methodologies, topics and extent of empirical research in bioethics in anticipation of studies evaluating the quality of this research.
Methods: We developed (1) a search strategy for identifying empirical research articles in Bioethicsline, a database which monitors the literatures of disciplines relevant to the field of bioethics and utilizes subject area experts to select appropriate materials; (2) a coding scheme to characterize articles by method, primary topic, and subjects. Following a comprehensive computerized search that was designed to be highly sensitive for empirical articles in Bioethicsline, we reviewed the abstracts and/or the full text of each article and characterized them according to our coding scheme. Relevant citations were entered into a citation database (Reference Manager, Carlsbad, CA).
Results: We retrieved 4145 citations (3292 journal articles, 717 books and 136 other postings such as news items). Of the 3292 journal citations, 855 (26%) referred to empirical articles. 17 of these articles were based on randomized trials. Cross-sectional surveys were the most commonly (55%) used method, yet other methods were also employed, including ethnographic studies, case series, secondary data analyses, and prospective studies. The most frequent topical areas included informed consent (n=137), research ethics (n=88), and do not resuscitate orders (n=71).
Discussion: This database will be used to inform investigators and those funding research in bioethics about the empirical research on particular topical areas, and to begin to assess the quality of empirical research in bioethics based upon the rigor of the methods used in these investigations. These efforts should both improve empirical research in bioethics and encourage more research in the field. A companion study is focusing on enhancing retrieval of empirical research in bioethics.
Objective: To gain a systematic understanding of the methodologies, topics and extent of empirical research in bioethics in anticipation of studies evaluating the quality of this research.
Methods: We developed (1) a search strategy for identifying empirical research articles in Bioethicsline, a database which monitors the literatures of disciplines relevant to the field of bioethics and utilizes subject area experts to select appropriate materials; (2) a coding scheme to characterize articles by method, primary topic, and subjects. Following a comprehensive computerized search that was designed to be highly sensitive for empirical articles in Bioethicsline, we reviewed the abstracts and/or the full text of each article and characterized them according to our coding scheme. Relevant citations were entered into a citation database (Reference Manager, Carlsbad, CA).
Results: We retrieved 4145 citations (3292 journal articles, 717 books and 136 other postings such as news items). Of the 3292 journal citations, 855 (26%) referred to empirical articles. 17 of these articles were based on randomized trials. Cross-sectional surveys were the most commonly (55%) used method, yet other methods were also employed, including ethnographic studies, case series, secondary data analyses, and prospective studies. The most frequent topical areas included informed consent (n=137), research ethics (n=88), and do not resuscitate orders (n=71).
Discussion: This database will be used to inform investigators and those funding research in bioethics about the empirical research on particular topical areas, and to begin to assess the quality of empirical research in bioethics based upon the rigor of the methods used in these investigations. These efforts should both improve empirical research in bioethics and encourage more research in the field. A companion study is focusing on enhancing retrieval of empirical research in bioethics.