What type of research is conducted to generate knowledge that will directly influence clinical practice?

what are the typical features of an experiment?

randomizing subjects into groups, collecting data, conducting statistical analyses

what is quantitative research?

formal, described steps objective, rigorous (requires attention, exactness), systematic process for generating information 

purposes of quantitative research

1. describes new situations, events, or concepts 2. examines relationships among variables. 3. determines the effectiveness of treatments, cause vs effect

what are the four types of correlational research?

descriptive, correlational, quasi-experimental, experimental 

rank the 4 types in order of increasing level of control

descriptive --> correlational --> quasi-experimental --> experimental 

the exploration and description of phenomena in real-life situations. - accurate account of characteristics of people/groups - usually large #'s of subjects, natural settings, no manipulation of setting - discover new meaning - helps identify relationships

systematic investigation of relationships between or among variables - determines the degree of strength and type of correlation (from -1 - +1) - NOT cause and effect

quasi-experimental research 

examine casual relationships or determine the effect of one variable on another - involve implementing a treatment and examining effects using selected methods of measurement - less control than true experimental designs - samples not randomly selected - i.e. nurses w/ patients that have a certain disease - all variables cannot be controlled!

- objective, systematic, highly controlled investigation for the purpose of predicting and controlling phenomena - looks at cause/effect relationships - involves the measurement of independent and dependent variables and the controlled manipulation of at least one independent variable - use experimental and control gouprs - random assignment of the sample to the diff groups

pursuit of knowledge for knowledge's sake - seeks new info, truth - investigating "what is" - provides increased understanding

- investigation conducted to generate knowledge that will directly influence or improve clinical practice. - attempts to solve real problems - concerns what effects interventions have on patients

striving for excellence and adherence to detail - precise measuring tools, representative sample, tightly controlled study design. - logical reasoning - precision - which encompasses accuracy, detail and order

- imposing of rules by the researcher to decrease the possibility of errors and increases probability that study's finding will be accurate representation of reality - levels differ based on type of study -

extraneous variables in quantitative research 

- occur in all studies - may interfere w/ hypothesized relationships between variables - influence of extraneous variables can be decreased through sample selection and the use of defined research settings

- need to select subjects that are representative of the population - random sampling = most control - convenience sampling = less control - in nursing research - to add control to convenience sample, often the sample will be randomly assigned to Rx groups

- location - must be defined in advance - involved in rigor/control may be a natural/field setting, partially controlled setting or highly controlled/lab setting.

partially controlled setting 

environment that the researcher has manipulated or modified in a way - often how a nursing study is conducted 

- data collection - problem definition - plan (setting goals, ID'ing solutions) - implementation - evaluation and revision

subset of problem solving process - assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation, modification

steps of quantitative research process 

1. research problem and purpose 2. lit review 3. study framework 4. objectives, questions, hypoth 5. study variables 6. assumptions 7. limitations 8. research design 9. population and sample 10. methods of measurement

steps of quantitative research process (cont'd)

11. data collection and analysis 12. research outcomes 13. communication of findings

an area of concern needing research for nursing practice - problem identifies, describes or predicts the research situation - broad, can provide basis for several studies

comes from the problem and identifies the specific goal or aim of the study - purpose includes variables, population and setting for the study

abstract, theoretical basis for a study that enables the researcher to link the finding to nursing's body of knowledge - testable theory that has been tested in nursing or another subj.

an integrated set of defined concepts and relational statements that presents a view of a phenomenon and can be used to describe, explain, predict or control phenomena 

research objectives, questions and hypotheses 

- all ID relationships between variables and indicate population to be studied - narrower in focus than the purpose and often specify only one or two research variables

- concepts that are measured, manipulated or controlled in a study concrete variables - temperature, weight abstract variables - creativity, empathy

gives meaning to a concept - provides a link from selected concepts in the study framework to the study variables

variable can be measured using this description knowledge gained from studying the variable will increase understanding of the theoretical concept from the study framework

- statements are taken for granted or are considered true - assumptions are often unrecognized in thinking and behavior - sources of assumptions are universially accepted truths - they are often embedded in the philosophical base of the study's framework -they influence the development and implementation of the research process - recongizing them leads to a more rigorous study

restrictions in study that may decrease credibility and generalizability of the findings

- restrict the generalization of the findings - reflected in the framework and definitions might include: a concept that lacks clarity of definition, the unclear relationships among some concepts in the theorists work, a study variable that lacks a clear link to a concept in the framework, an objective, question or hypothesis that lacks a clear link to a relationship expressed in the framework

methodological limitations 

- restrict the population to which the findings can be generalized - may result from an unrepresentative sample or weak design - can limit credibility of findings - results from unrepresentative sample, weak design, single setting, limited control over Rx implementation, measurement instruments with limited reliability and validity, issues w/ data collection, improper use of stats

blueprint for conducting the study - maximizes control over factors that could interfere with the study's desired outcome - directs the selection of the population sampling, methods of measure, plans for data collection, analysis

all elements (individuals, objects or substances) that meet certain criteria for inclusion in a study - ex) all women students in higher education quantiative study = subjects qualitative = participants

a subset of the population that is selected for study ex) women students in 3 universities in delaware

- assigning numbers to objects - application of rules to development of a measurement device or instrument - data are gathered at the nominal, ordinal, interval or ratio level of measurement - must examine reliability and validity of measurement tool (i.e. is it consistent? does it measure what it is supposed to measure?)

- precise, systematic gathering of information for the study - consent must be obtained - researchers use observation, interviews, questionnaires or scales to gather info - described under procedures section of research article

- reduce, organize and give meaning to data. - includes descriptive and inferential analysis

descriptions of findings after data were analyzed - usually organized by research objectives, questions, or hypotheses

- interprets data findings in meaningful manner - involves forming conclusions and considering implications for nursing - suggests future studies - generalizess the findings

summarizes major elements of a study and identifies contributions of study to nursing knowledge

summary of study in 100-250 words - clear, concise - includes purpose, design, setting, sample size, major results, and conclusions

problem, purpose, literature, framework, hypothesis - identifies nature and scope of the problem - provides case for the conduct of the study - should be able to clearly ID the significance of conducting this study to increase nursing knowledge - lit review and framework may be part of this or separate

design, sample, setting, tool - describes how study was conducted

data analysis procedures - presents outcomes of statisical tests used to analyze the study data and the significance of the outcomes

findings, conclusions, implications - includes major findings, limitations, conclusions drawn and implications for nursing and recommendations for further research

skimming a research report 

quickly review source for broad overview - read title, authero's name, abstract, introduction and discussion - examine conclusions and implications - give preliminary judgement of study

comprehending a research report 

- entire study read carefully - highly key points, what type of study? - expertise of reasearcher? - replication vs original research? - funding - amount and sources?

analyzing research report 

- examine parts of report in depth for accuracy, completeness, uniqueness of information and organization - was research process logically presented? - examine discussion section for critical arguments

What type of research is conducted to generate knowledge that will directly influence clinical practice select one?

Which type of quantitative research method examines relationships and is conducted to develop and refine explanatory knowledge for nursing practice?

What type of research explores phenomena in clinical or real

Which type of quantitative research seeks to establish a cause effect relationship between two or more variables and does not manipulate the independent variable?