| Points to Consider | Research | QI/PE |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To test a hypothesis OR establish clinical practice standards where | To assess or promptly improve a process, program, or system; OR improve performance as judged by accepted/established standards |
| Starting point | To answer a question or test a hypothesis | To improve performance |
| Benefits | Designed to contribute to generalizable knowledge and may or may not benefit subjects | Designed to promptly benefit a process, program, or system and may or may not benefit patients or clients |
| Risks/burdens | May place a subject at risk | Be design, does not increase risk |
| Data collection | Systematic data collection | Systematic data collection |
| End point | Answer a research question | Promptly improve a program/process/system |
| Testing/analysis | Statistically prove or disprove a hypothesis | Compare to an established set of standards |