Ch 13

Question 1

Mixed-methods research is

Answer 1

the combination of quantitative and qualitative study elements in a single published research study

Question 2

3 reasons to use mixed-methods research

Answer 2

1- Complementarity: each approach complements each other and using both types of research mitigates the limitations from a single study type
2- Practicality: for complex issues it is practical to use multiple tools to best address the phenomena of interest
3- Enhanced validity: more data sources that support a hypothesis make the hypothesis stronger.

Question 3

Concurrent designs…

Answer 3

have both the quantitative and qualitative studies occur at the same time

Question 4

Sequential designs…

Answer 4

clearly have one study type finish before the second happens, or they occur in phases.

Question 5

mixed-methods: Uppercase letters include…

Answer 5

the weight of the study type in the research project. QUAN in capital letters means the quantitative method is significant. If both QUAN and QUAL are capitalized, then both types are of equal weight. Lowercase letters mean it is less significant

Question 6

mixed-methods designs: To identify sequencing a ____ are used.

Answer 6

To identify sequencing a + or arrow sign are used. The arrow sign indicates one study type occurring in a second phase. For instance, QUAN -> QUAL means the qualitative study occurs in phase 2. If the study types occur concurrently the + sign is used. Note that capitalization is still used to demonstrate the study weight

Question 7

mixed-methods designs: convergent designs obtain what? Goal?

Answer 7

Convergent designs obtain different complementary data about a phenomenon. The goal is to converge on the truth. Convergent designs are concurrent and have equal weight applied to both types. Using the nomenclature above QUAL + QUAN would show that both study types have equal weight and occur at the same time.

Question 8

mixed methods: What are explanatory designs?

Answer 8

Explanatory designs are sequential designs where quantitative data is collected first. The qualitative study data is used to explain the results from the quantitative study. QUAN -> qual or quan -> QUAL are examples of this study type.

Question 9

what are exploratory designs?

Answer 9

Exploratory designs are sequential designs where qualitative data is collected first. The quantitative study is used to explore the results from the qualitative study. QUAL -> quan or qual -> QUAN

Question 10

mixed methods: sample for quant and qual studies

Answer 10

The sample for a mixed-methods study can begin with a large sample based on the quantitative study. The sample for the qualitative study can be nested, or a small subset from the sample used in the quantitative study.

Question 11

mixed methods: data collection depends on…

Answer 11

Data collection depends on the study type. For instance, a randomized controlled trial could collect data with biophysiological measures of patients trialing a new medication for a condition. A small sample of the population could undergo semi structured interviews with a phenomenological approach to explore the patient’s lived experiences with the condition.

Question 12

mixed methods: clinical trials…

Answer 12

Clinical trials test clinical interventions. Clinical trials are commonly used for approving medications for use.

Question 13

mixed methods: clinical trials, different phases

Answer 13

Phase I: establishes safety, tolerance, and dose with a simple design. Focus is on developing the best treatment.

Phase II: pilot test of treatment effectiveness. Researchers see if the intervention is feasible and acceptable. Designed as a small-scale experiment.

Phase III: Randomized Controlled Trial, when the intervention is tested against usual care to determine if it improves. RCT is the most often discussed version of a clinical trial in research.

Phase IV: studies of the effectiveness in the general population without the control or artificial conditions provided by a RCT

Question 14

Evaluation research focuses on…

Answer 14

developing useful information about a program or policy

Question 15

A process analysis seeks to understand…

Answer 15

what is the treatment, how is it different from traditional practices, what are the barriers to implementation, how do staff and patients feel about it, and in general how it functions.

Question 16

A process analysis uses mostly ___ data.

Answer 16

A process analysis uses mostly qualitative data.

Question 17

An economic or cost analysis seeks to determine…

Answer 17

if an intervention is financially feasible.

This type of research in general does not seek to increase the body of research knowledge, but rather affirm or approve a potential quality improvement initiative, making it considered non-research-based.

Question 18

___ research essentially has the same phases as a clinical trial.

Answer 18

Nursing intervention research essentially has the same phases as a clinical trial. It involves the use of complex interventions rather than the single intervention seen in a clinical trial.

Question 19

An intervention theory is used to…

Answer 19

clearly state what must be done to achieve the desired outcome. It identifies and includes key stakeholders in the study. This type of research is more extensive than a clinical trial and much less present in literature.

Question 20

Health Services Research examines…

Answer 20

how organizational structures and process, health technologies, social factors, and personal behaviors affect access to health care, the cost and quality of health care, and people’s health and well-being.

Question 21

Outcomes research focuses on…

Answer 21

examining the effect of healthcare on the outcome of patients.

Question 22

outcomes research: It can be difficult to identify the quality of nursing care for an individual unit in a hospital versus the rated quality of the hospital as a whole. In order to help with this, _____ are used.

Answer 22

It can be difficult to identify the quality of nursing care for an individual unit in a hospital versus the rated quality of the hospital as a whole. In order to help with this, nursing-sensitive indicators or nursing-quality indicators are used.

Question 23

Survey Research obtains…

Answer 23

quantitative information about variables in a population, one that is usually from a nonclinical population. Data is generally collected through interviews and questionnaires. The information is generally superficial in nature. Surveys are flexible and offer a broad scope.

Question 24

QI studies seek to…

Answer 24

improve practices and processes within a specific organization, not to generate knowledge that can be generalized beyond the organization.

Question 25

QI studies follow the Plan, Do, Study, Act process. ?

Answer 25

Plan: plan a change and develop a test or observation, including a plan for data collection.
Do: Try out the change on a small scale
Study: Review and analyze the data, study the results, and identify what has been learned.
Act: Refine the change and take action based on the lessons learned from the test.

Question 26

What makes a research study a mixed-methods study?
A) uses both qualitative and quantitative data collection
B) begins with one research design and shifts to one or more designs as the study progresses
C) combines multiple quantitative research designs to answer one research question
D) design focused on measuring multiple research questions with one method

Answer 26

Answer A: uses both qualitative and quantitative data collection

A mixed-methods study uses quantitative and qualitative study methods and data collection. It may be used for one or more research questions. It does not use multiple quantitative methods or continuously evolve designs as the study continues.

Question 27

Which type of study designation would be seen in a convergent study?
A) QUAN -> QUAL
B) QUAL -> QUAN
C) QUAN + QUAL
D) QUAL = QUAN

Answer 27

Answer C, QUAN + QUAL

Convergent designs are mixed-methods study in which the qualitative and quantitative study occur concurrently and with equal weight. The arrow sign is used to indicate sequential studies, and an equal sign is not a designation used.

Question 28

Which type of study design would occur first in an explanatory design?
A) Phenomenological
B) Grounded Theory
C) Ethnographic
D) Quasi-experimental

Answer 28

Answer: D, quasi-experimental

Explanatory designs begin with quantitative study designs followed by qualitative designs. Quasi-experimental is the only quantitative research design listed.

Question 29

Which phase of a clinical trial focuses on pilot testing?
A) Phase I
B) Phase II
C) Phase III
D) Phase IV

Answer 29

Answer: B, phase II

Phase II involves pilot testing of treatment effectiveness.

Question 30

What type of study design utilizes the plan-do-study-act process?
A) Evaluation Research
B) Clinical Trials
C) Quality Improvement Studies
D) Nursing Intervention Research

Answer 30

Answer: C, quality improvement studies

Quality improvement studies commonly use the plan-do-study-act process.