Chapter 14 Pwpt Flashcards
Data collection methods must be
Objective, systematic and operational
What is objective?
Free from the researchers personal biases, beliefs, values, or attitudes
What is systematic?
Data collected in a uniform, consistent or standard way
What must happen in operational definition?
Concepts must be clearly defined and then translated into a measurable variable for data collection
An operational definition is how…..?
The researcher will measure each variable
Measuring variables of interest is very difficult and time consuming in study design. It is important to…..?
Maintain fidelity (consistency and quality) on the data collection method and discuss the measurement error
What is measurement error?
Difference between what really exists and what is measured in a given study
(Every study has some amount of it)
What is random error? What causes it and what does it do to the study?
Occurs when scores vary in a random way.
Poor fidelity causes it (when data collectors dont use standard procedures to collect data)
It weakens the ability to find statistically significant differences
What is systematic error and what does it affect?
Occurs when scores are incorrect but in the same direction
May affect application of findings to practice (does not necessarily affect tests of statistical evidence)
What are some observational methods?
Concealment and intervention
Concealment is when? Why is it used? What helps it?
The subjects dont know they are being observed
Used if they think the subjects behavior will change as a result of being observed
Debriefing is used to inform subjects after observation to allow them the opportunity to refuse to have their data included in the study
What is intervention?
The observer provokes actions from those who are being observed
Self report methods use?
Interviews or structures questionnaires to collect information about experiences, behaviors, feelings or attitudes
Self report methods are commonly used….?
In nursing research and are most useful for collecting data on variables that cannot be directly observed or measured
Self report data collects data on variables that cannot be directly observed or measured such as?
Quality of life, satisfaction with nursing care, social support, uncertainty, functional status
Closed ended questions are?
Structured, fixed response items with a fixed number of responses (questionnaires?)
When are close ended questions best used?
When the question has a finite number of responses and the respondent is to choose the one closest to the correct response
What are self report measures referred to as?
Instruments, surveys, scales, tools
A likert-type scale is referred to as a
Closed-ended self report measure
Open ended questions are used when?
The researcher wants the subject to respond in their own words or when the researcher does not know all the possible alternative responses
Considerations with self report methods are?
Social desirability and respondent burden
What is social desirability?
There is no way to tell whether the respondent is telling the truth or responding in a socially desirable way
What is a respondent burden?
If the questionnaire is too long or difficult to answer in a reasonable amount of time because of age, health condition, mental status or participants
Respondent burden may result in
Incomplete or erroneous answers
Missing data
Self report method: interview
Able to know who is responding Almost anyone can participate Allows for more in depth data Expensive Anonymity is not possible Subjects questions can be answered Control over order of questions Interviewer bias as a threat
Self report method: questionnaire
Might not be sure who responded
Some cannot participate—e.g., unable to read and write
Usually questions cannot be clarified
No control over the order questions are answered
More superficial because interviewer unable to probe
Less expensive
No interviewer bias
Can be anonymous
Physiologic measurement requires?
Use of specialized equipment to determine the physical and biological status of subjects
Examples or physiologic measurements are?
Physical: weight and temp
Chemical : BGL
Microbiologic: cultures
Anatomic: radiologic examinations
Advantages of physiologic measurements are?
Objective
Precise
Sensitive and specific
Unlikely that subject can deliberately distort
Disadvantages of physiologic measurement
Instruments may be expensive or difficult to use.
Instrument use often requires specialized knowledge and training.
The presence of some types of devices might change the measurement.
Results may be affected by the environment.
Whether the researcher controlled environmental variables must be considered.
What is existing data “secondary analysis”?
Use of records and databases of already existing data collected for other purposes
What are examples of existing data?
Medical records, care plans, hospital records, death certificates, US census, national cancer data base
Advantages of existing data “secondary analysis”
Data are already collected, thus eliminating subject burden and recruitment problems.
Most databases contain large populations; therefore sample size is rarely a problem and random sampling is possible.
Larger samples allow the researcher to do more sophisticated analytic procedures, and random sampling enhances generalizability of findings.
Potential to save significant time and money
Disadvantages of existing data “secondary analysis”
Institutions may be reluctant to allow researcher to have access to their records
Researcher has access to only those records that have survived; if the records available are not representative of all the possible records, the researcher may have a problem with bias
Which statement regarding the use of existing data for nursing research does the nurse identify as true?
This method reduces problems with informed consent
