Chapter 13 Interpreting and Reporting Research Findings

Question 1

Abstract

Answer 1

1. A brief summary of a research study; usually includes the purpose, methods, and findings of a study.
2. Length: 100-300 words.

Question 2

Clinical significance

Answer 2

1. Findings that have meaning for patient care in the absence or presence of statistical significance.
2. A study can be clinically significant without being statistically significant.

Question 3

Generalizability

Answer 3

1. Extent to which research findings can be generalized beyond the given research situation to other settings and subjects; also called external validity.
2. Requires that that a sample be both representative of the larger population and large enough to permit generalization of the findings.

Question 4

Limitations

Answer 4

1. Aspects of a study that are potentially confounding to the main study variables.
2. Can include things such as sample deficiencies, design problems, weakness in data collection procedures, and use of unreliable measures.
3. Generally reported in the discussion section of an article so that the interpretation of results is made with knowledge of the potential impact of the limiting factors.

Question 5

Query letter

Answer 5

Letter written to an editor to determine the level of interest in publishing a research report.

Question 6

Refereed journal

Answer 6

1. A journal that uses expert peers in specified fields to review and determine whether a particular manuscript will be published.
2. Usually involves two to four reviewers for one manuscript; the name of the author is usually not known to the reviewers.

Question 7

Research report

Answer 7

A document that summarizes the key aspects of a research study; usually includes the purpose, methods, and findings of a study.

Question 8

Statistical significance

Answer 8

1. The extent to which the results of an analysis are unlikely to be the effect of chance.
2. 𝑝 is less than 0.05 is considered the standard measure of statistical significance (“These findings are likely to be the result of chance only 5 times out of 100”).

Question 9

Components of a research report, in order

Answer 9

1. Title (usually 15 words or less).
2. Abstract (brief summary).
3. Introduction (purpose of study; incidence/prevalence of problem; variables; framework, if applicable).
4. Review of literature.
5. Methods (sample; setting; data collection).
6. Results (objective presentation of data).
7. Discussion (more detailed analysis of data).
8. Conclusions (what do the results support?).
9. References.
10. Appendices.

Question 10

Interpretation of research findings

Answer 10

1. Findings are discussed based on the research question(s) and hypotheses cited in the study.
2. Findings are discussed in relation to the broader significance, or lack thereof, for nursing practice.
3. Considerations: The meaning of the results, the significance of the findings, generalizing the findings, drawing conclusions, and suggesting implications for practice and/or further study.

Question 11

Location of the interpretation of findings in a research report

Answer 11

Usually found toward the end, under the heading of “results,” “conclusions,” or “discussion.”

Question 12

Conclusions

Answer 12

Statements of what the results of the study indicate, demonstrate, or support - not “prove” - regarding a phenomenon.

Question 13

Typical length of a research report

Answer 13

Usually 10-20 pages; dissertations are 50-200+ pages, due to their much higher level of detail.

Question 14

An up-to-date _ is extremely important to validate the need for a study.

Answer 14

Literature review.

Question 15

Results section

Answer 15

Section of a research report in which data are presented objectively, with little discussion. Tables and graphs, if used, should not duplicate what is in the text.

Question 16

Researchers use the _ section to explain what the results mean in relation to the purpose of the study.

Answer 16

Discussion.

Question 17

Limitations of a study are usually addressed in the _ section.

Answer 17

Discussion.

Question 18

Advantages and disadvantages of publishing a research report

Answer 18

1. Advantage: Ability reach a wide audience (depending on the readership of the journal).
2. Disadvantage: The delay in receiving feedback and potential delay in the actual publication of the report (often 6 months to 1 year after submission).

Question 19

Advantages and disadvantages of oral presentations

Answer 19

1. Advantage: Findings can be disseminated much more quickly; feedback can be obtained either during or after the presentation.
2. Disadvantage: A limited number of people will get the information.

Question 20

Advantages and disadvantages of poster presentations

Answer 20

1. Advantage: The researcher can engage in an active dialogue with other researchers.
2. Disadvantage: Only a limited number of people will read the poster and only a limited amount of information can be presented.

Question 21

Generalizability is based on _

Answer 21

An examination of the risk to validity.

Question 22

The methods section should always contain _

Answer 22

Information regarding IRB approval/protection of human subjects.

Question 23

The methods section usually ends with _

Answer 23

The data analysis plan, including specific data analysis techniques.