Chapter 10 Flashcards
Purpose of Descriptive Research
To explore and describe phenomena in real-life situations as they naturally occur
No variables are manipulated
Uses of Descriptive Studies
Categorize information
What is the socioeconomic status of children with community-acquired pneumonia?
Identify relationships between variables
Is annual income related to the incidence of type 2 diabetes?
Identify predictive factors
What injuries most commonly result in a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism?
Characteristics of Descriptive Studies
Population of interest is identified Phenomenon of interest is specified If relational, all variables identified There is no intervention No comparison or control group needed No expected outcome is identified
Designs Based on Time
Epidemiology studies
Prevalence studies
Concerned with all existing cases
Incidence studies
Concerned with only new cases
Although not considered the strongest evidence for change in nursing practice, descriptive research can be used to:
explore causality.
Cohort study
Examine a population relative to time
Cross-sectional Design
Examines a single phenomenon across a population at a single point in time
Longitudinal design
Study of the same group of subjects over a period of time, with prescribed intervals for data collection
Case Study Designs
In-depth, detailed description of a single subject over time
Key variables identified, defined, recorded
Advantages: detailed
Disadvantages: No trends identified
Single-Subject Designs
Experimental version of a case study
May include a reversal phase
Advantages: Detailed, but experimental
Disadvantages: No trends identified
Correlation Studies
The analysis of two variables to describe the strength and direction of the relationship between them
Correlation is not causation
Relationship could be a spurious relationship
Useful as evidence for nursing practice when determining characteristics and/or symptoms that are likely to occur simultaneously
Studies can form the basis for subsequent experiments (quanti/qualitative studies)
Prediction study
Exploration of the factors that may forecast an outcome measured at a different point in time
Use of one variable to predict another
Prediction does not determine causation
Commonly used for risk prediction
Particularly useful as evidence for nursing assessments and diagnostic tools
Can provide valuable information about assessing risk of subsequent illness or side effects
Serves as the basis for measurement instruments
Useful in determining assessments for practice guidelines
The type of question used in descriptive studies that is designed to investigate an association is labeled as
Correlational
Using Descriptive Results as Evidence
Does not enable the determination of cause and effect but is useful for practice in: Assessment procedures Nursing diagnosis Care planning Interventions Evaluation
Meets nursing process!!!!!!
A methodolgy is a…
Research report
