The use of qualitative research techniques in orthopedic and sports physical therapy: Moving toward postpositivism

Abstract 

Evidence-based practice implies the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making clinical decisions about patient care. Historically the evidence is derived from research using quantitative methodologies based on positivist assumptions about the nature of science. However, as we comment in this paper, postpostivism is a philosophy that has a unique perspective about human behavior associated with rehabilitation that promises to contribute to clinical decisions. Physical therapy is a relational practice, and invariably relationships are established within the context of the patients and therapist's values, emotions, and perspectives. Research is emerging from both quantitative and qualitative methods that the behaviors, attitudes, and values of our patients influence the nature and course of treatment as well as its outcomes.

Postpositivist research in physical therapy seeks to understand how human and social interactions may influence treatment outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the potential benefits of qualitative techniques for data collection and analyses based on postpositivist assumptions for the clinical practices of orthopedic and sports physical therapists. In order to address the purpose, this paper will explore the following questions. What is postpositivism? What are the applications of postpositivism in orthopedic and sports physical therapy? What methods are involved in doing research informed by postpositivist assumptions? How rigorous are qualitative research techniques based on postpositivism? What are its limitations?

Keywords: Postpositivism, Qualitative, Orthopedics, Sports, Rehabilitation