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Health Sciences Resources: SPICE & SPIDER

SPICE & SPIDER

SPICE

SPICE Framework

SPICE is an acronym that stands for Setting, Perspective, Intervention, Comparison, and Evaluation. It's a framework often used in research, particularly in fields like healthcare, to develop research questions, especially in qualitative studies.

Example: Impact of telemedicine on patient satisfaction in rural areas.

  • Setting:

    • Where? Rural healthcare clinics in the southeastern U.S.
    • Key characteristics? Limited in-person services, high telemedicine use.

  • Perspective:

    • Whose viewpoint? Patients using telemedicine.
    • Why? To understand their satisfaction and challenges.

  • Intervention:

    • What? Use of telemedicine for consultations.
    • Expected impact? Improved access and satisfaction.

  • Comparison:

    • Alternative? In-person consultations.
    • Difference? Requires more time and travel.

  • Evaluation:

    • Outcome? Patient satisfaction levels.
    • How measured? Compare satisfaction between telemedicine users and in-person visitors.

SPIDER

SPIDER Framework

The SPIDER framework is used for developing qualitative research questions and stands for Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research type. Here's a brief explanation of each component:

  • Sample: The group of individuals or entities involved in the study.
  • Phenomenon of Interest: The specific experiences, behaviors, or processes being examined.
  • Design: The structure or approach of the study used to investigate the phenomenon.
  • Evaluation: The outcomes or results being observed and how their significance will be assessed.
  • Research type: The nature of the research, such as qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods.

Example: Exploring the experiences of nurses working in high-stress emergency departments.

  • Sample:

    • Who? Registered nurses working in emergency departments.
    • Selection criteria? Nurses with at least one year of experience in high-stress environments.

  • Phenomenon of Interest:

    • What? Experiences and coping strategies of nurses dealing with high-stress situations.
    • Why? To understand how stress impacts their work and well-being.

  • Design:

    • How? Conduct in-depth interviews with nurses to gather qualitative data on their experiences.
    • Structure? Semi-structured interviews to allow for detailed responses.

  • Evaluation:

    • What? Themes related to stress management and job satisfaction.
    • How? Analyze interview transcripts to identify common themes and patterns.

  • Research type:

    • What? Qualitative research.
    • Why? To gain deep insights into personal experiences and perceptions.