Evidence-Based Project, Part 1: Identifying Research Methodologies

Matrix Worksheet Template 

Use this document to complete Part 1 of the Module 2 Assessment, Evidence-Based Project, Part 1: Identifying Research Methodologies

Full citation of selected article	Article #1	Article #2	Article #3	Article #4
	Sloan et al., 2018	Meis et al., 2022	Kintzle et al., 2018	Hurley, 2018
Why you chose this article and/or how it relates to the clinical issue of interest (include a brief explanation of the ethics of research related to your clinical issue of interest)	Sloan et al.’s (2018) article examines two treatment interventions for veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As the topic I chose is PTSD among veterans, this article clearly relates to the clinical issue of interest. As human participants were used, ethical guidelines for this type of research must be followed. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for the study was acquired, while also gaining informed consent from the participants.	Meis et al.’s (2022) article investigates two different treatment interventions associated with Prolonged Exposure (PE). Specifically, the researchers explored if including family in PE helped to enhance participants’ adherence to treatment. Therefore, this article relates to PTSD in veterans (the topic of interest).IRB approval was obtained, while participants also provided informed consent – adhering to ethical guidelines.	Kintzle et al.’s (2018) article explored how social connectedness influences PTSD development in veterans. It also investigated the association of PTSD to the risk of both dishonorable discharge status and combat exposure. As this study used secondary data analysis, there were no human participants involved in the research. Therefore, informed consent was not required.	Hurley’s (2018) article investigated the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. The population studied was veterans suffering from PTSD. The treatment involved two formats, which were compared: intensive daily EMDR treatment (2x a day) and EMDR (1x a week). Participants’ informed consent was obtained to use their data, complying with ethical guidelines.
Brief description of the aims of the research of each peer-reviewed article	The aim was to expand upon the current literature that exists on PTSD in veterans. The aim was also to investigate the efficacy of a psychotherapeutic intervention for this condition, known as group cognitive-behavioral treatment (GCBT). This intervention was compared to group present-centered treatment (GPCT).	The aim was to determine if veterans receiving Family-Supported Prolonged Exposure (FSPE) went to more sessions and completed more homework compared to those receiving standard Prolonged Exposure (PE). Another aim was to ascertain if FSPE was more effective in decreasing severity of PTSD and comorbidities compared to standard PE. Finally, the third aim was to explore facilitators and barriers to the implementation of FSPE.	The aim was to examine the impacts of certain variables on veterans suffering from PTSD. These variables included social connectedness, discharge status (dishonorable), and combat exposure.	The aim was to investigate the efficacy of a program intervention using two different treatment intervals for EMDR. This enabled the researchers to see if a more intensive treatment regimen is more effective in alleviating PTSD symptoms in veterans.
Brief description of the research methodology used Be sure to identify if the methodology used was qualitative, quantitative, or a mixed-methods approach. Be specific.	The study used a randomized controlled trial (RCT) study design. It was specifically a hybrid efficacy–effectiveness trial. As RCTs are experimental trials, the data gathered were quantitative or objective. The measured outcomes were PTSD diagnosis and symptom severity, which are both quantitative.	This study employed a RCT study design, specifically a clinical, superiority, pragmatic study. It was also a Hybrid-1 study. RCTs focus on quantitative data. The measured outcomes included both session attendance and homework compliance (primary) as well as PTSD symptom severity, relationship functioning, quality of life, and depression (secondary).	The study involved secondary analysis, with the researchers analyzing the data from a community-based needs assessment. This assessment was conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area with veterans residing in the area. The outcomes of interest were study PTSD symptoms, social connectedness, discharge status, and combat experiences. These were also analyzed quantitatively, so the quantitative methodology was employed.	The study utilized a program evaluation design, which was implemented at Soldier Center. Outcome measures included both pre- and post-intervention scores on treatment effectiveness. This included both depression and anxiety levels as well as dissociative exhibitions. These represent quantitative data.
A brief description of the strengths of each of the research methodologies used, including reliability and validity of how the methodology was applied in each of the peer-reviewed articles you selected.	RCTs are considered the gold standard for investigating causal relationships. Participants are randomized to either a treatment / experimental group (receiving the intervention) or a control group (not receiving the intervention or receiving a placebo). Subsequently, the risk of bias is significantly reduced.In this RCT, the participants’ PTSD symptoms were compared through the use of a specific, 20-item instrument: the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. The researchers explain how this instrument’s validity and reliability have been proven in different studies. This means that the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 is able to measure what it is meant to (validity), while also providing similar results in many different trials (reliability). Similarly, participants were diagnosed with PTSD using another instrument: CAPS-5. It has shown strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .81) and high interrater reliability (κ = 0.80).	As the study used the Hybrid 1 trial design, it enabled the interventions to be evaluated while, at the same time, determining their possible impacts in practical applications. This is a known strength, as it enables researchers to address several study aims at the same time. The Treatment Makes Sense and Treatment Fits Needs scales were the instruments used to measure the primary outcomes. They have established factor validity, meaning they measure what they are supposed to.	Secondary research enables researchers to conduct studies at a fraction of the cost of primary research, as they are very cost-effective.The eight-item Social Connectedness Scale was used in the study, which has a high Cronbach’s alpha (0.94) as well as strong internal reliability (0.91).	These studies have many strengths, including demonstrating to investors the success of the programs as well as identifying any potential improvements that could be made.The instrument employed to validate PTSD diagnosis of participants was the PTSD Checklist (PCL-M). It has strong internal consistency and excellent test-retest reliability. PCL-M included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Dissociative Experiences Scale II (DES-II), and Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R).

References

Hurley, E. C. (2018). Effective Treatment of Veterans With PTSD: Comparison Between 

Intensive Daily and Weekly EMDR Approaches. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 1458. 

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01458

Kintzle, S., Barr, N., Corletto, G., & Castro, C. A. (2018). PTSD in U.S. Veterans: The 

Role of Social Connectedness, Combat Experience and Discharge. Healthcare 

(Basel, Switzerland), 6(3), 102. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare6030102

Meis, L. A., Glynn, S. M., Spoont, M. R., Kehle-Forbes, S. M., Nelson, D., Isenhart, C. 

E., Eftekhari, A., Ackland, P. E., Linden, E. B., Orazem, R. J., Cutting, A., Hagel Campbell, E. M., Astin, M. C., Porter, K. E., Smith, E., Chuick, C. D., Lamp, K. E., Vuper, T. C., Oakley, T. A., Khan, L. B., … Polusny, M. A. (2022). Can families help veterans get more from PTSD treatment? A randomized clinical trial examining Prolonged Exposure with and without family involvement. Trials, 23(1), 243. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06183-2

Sloan, D. M., Unger, W., Lee, D. J., & Beck, J. G. (2018). A Randomized Controlled 

Trial of Group Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Veterans Diagnosed With 

Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of traumatic stress, 31(6), 886–

898. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22338