Defining research within the context of hospice and palliative care settings is challenging because there is often a nebulous distinction made between “quality improvement” (QI) studies and “research.”  So how does one determine which projects are “research” and which ones are QI? And is such a distinction necessary at all? For the purposes of this manual, we will be using the federal government’s definition of research:

“Research means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.” 45 CFR 46.102 (d)

Some QI projects will be included within the scope of this definition. It is up to individual hospice agencies to determine whether their review processes will differ for research and QI projects.

Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose. It is a seeking that he who wishes may know the cosmic secrets of the world and that they dwell therein.  -- Zora Neale Hurston