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    Biostatistical scientists

    Empirical Literature Math Research Engineer Science Social Science

    Biostatistical scientists bolster the validity of research

    More empirical rigor, precision and accuracy, and internal and external validity

    After my last post, I want to expand upon what the literature does to the person. One of my professors in graduate school said, "The literature changes you." At the time, I thought this was the dorkiest statement of all time. As a first year PhD student, I had NO IDEA what research constituted in regards to knowing the empirical literature.

    The truth is, the literature DOES change you. It led me to fight an uphill battle for 6 years in the name of isomorphism. Come hell or high water, it will be published! (Manuscript currently under review with The Clinical Supervisor)

    When I started my job as an assistant professor of biostatistics, I knew that I needed to get vested in the statistical consultation, evidence-based medicine, diagnostic testing, and epidemiology literature. One thing that really impacted me was an article that stated something to the effect of "The best biostatistical consultants are biostatistical scientists." 

    Biostatistical scientists conduct collaborative as well as their own research. They provide high quality consultation to researchers from the inception to the publication of a research study. They teach courses related to empirical and statistical reasoning to residents, fellows, faculty, physicians, and staff. Lastly, and what really struck a chord with me, was that biostatistical scientists are supposed to invent new methods for applied practice.  

    Understand something, I LOVE MATH.  And, I LOVE SCIENCE. But, mathematical notation and emerging mathematical theory are not within span of competencies. I came from a social science background where higher order mathematics are not requisite parts of the curricula. So, I knew that my conceptual and applied competencies related to math would not "cut it" in comparison to my fellow colleagues and academicians that specialize in these AWESOME FIELDS.  

    Therefore, my idea/invention/new method would have to come from my conceptual and applied background. If you are reading this post, you are looking at the result of the literature's impact on me and a lot of hard work.  

    I hope that it helps you in all of your future research endeavors.

    EH
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    Operationalization of constructs and behaviors

    Affordable Care Act Confirmatory Factor Analysis Construct Validity Cross-sectional Operationalization Prevalence Principal Components Analysis Social Science Standards Of Care Survey

    Operationalization leading to understanding

    Measurement of new phenomena

    The term operationalization is very near and dear to my heart since I conducted my dissertation on operationalizing and validating the construct of isomorphism in supervision. Operationalization essentially means defining observable and measurable components of a given construct or behavior.

    The term is used often in the social sciences because scientists in that field have to spend so much time creating and validating their constructs of interest, just to be able to measure for them. From an empirical standpoint, they have to operationalize the construct as it exists within the perception, context, experience, and environment of members of a population.

    Many social scientists use survey methodologies (cross-sectional) to operationalize an abstract, new, or unique construct or behavior. They master the content area related to the construct, create a survey, and then administer it to a sample from a targeted population to see what content areas or items account for the most variance. Principal components analysis and confirmatory factor analysis are used to establish the construct validity of survey instruments.

    Medical professionals use cross-sectional research designs to establish the prevalence of disease states. Operationalization within physiology deals more with using "gold standard" techniques and concrete measures such as lab values.  Treatment protocols are another form of operationalization within medicine.  Certain procedures like a central line insertion require 20+ sequential steps to be conducted by surgical team members, every time.  With the advent of the Affordable Care Act and upcoming clinical pathways, operationalization will play an even larger role in building economical, efficient, and effective standards of care.