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Research methods: Time to get excited!

Some of us love to think about different research methods, some get quite heated about them, and some feel ambivalent or unskilled about them and struggle through research sections of scientific papers or grant applications. Many of the readers of the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing have extensive formal research training, while others have informal experience-based training and learned by trial and error. Some never opened a book on research methods after finalising their training, while others may be constantly enrolling themselves in research webinars or courses to stay updated with the newest insights and novel methodological approaches. For all of us, there is good news: a ‘Methods Corner’ has now been launched in the Journal. Science is constantly in transition and this has consequences for the methods that we apply and challenges that we face in our research studies. The European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge in the field of cardiovascular care and the promotion of evidence-based clinical practice. This means that we publish articles with a diverse range of research methods, such as surveys,1 qualitative studies,2 pilot studies,3 randomised controlled trials4 or systematic reviews and meta-analyses.5 These are just a few examples of the approaches needed to address the variety of research questions posed in cardiovascular clinical practice. In the position statement on research in cardiovascular care that was published seven years ago by the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professionals (CCNAP), knowledge gaps in research related to cardiovascular patient care were identified, upcoming challenges explored and recommendations for future research given.6 With the recent transition of CCNAP to the Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (ACNAP),7 a discussion arose about the need for a new position statement about research in cardiovascular care. It was generally agreed that the main conclusions from the position statement still hold and the proposed research agenda remains relevant. However, while reviewing the position statement, our eye was caught by the statement that ‘alternative trial designs can be considered’ and ‘a more sophisticated and balanced approach to appropriate research methods is needed’ (p. 16).6 Yet, when critically looking at our studies, researchers in cardiovascular care still tend to use traditional methods. In addition to the need to identify appropriate designs, there are several issues that researchers in the area of cardiovascular patient care find challenging, such as how to deal with non-response and how to analyse data from patients and partners. We believe, therefore, that it is timely to launch the ‘Methods Corner’ in the Journal. In the current issue you will find our second article in the ‘Methods Corner’. Every issue of the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing will tackle a research issue that is relevant to our field. The editors of this series are Philip Moons and Christopher Lee, both experienced researchers and teachers. In the first issue of the ‘Methods Corner,’ Philip Moons explained how propensity weighting can be used when groups are compared in non-randomised studies.8 In the current issue, Christopher Lee gives an excellent introduction to dyad research, which is relevant for many of our researchers who collect data from patients and their caregivers.9 Maybe you, as a reader, have questions that have arisen during your research or maybe you have wondered about research methods that could also be of interest to others. You are welcome to send ideas for topics to present in the Methods Corner to the section editors (Philip.Moons@ kuleuven.be or leeddo@bc.edu). More information about the Methods Corner can be found in the section HeartBeat of the Journal.