Chapter #8

Question 1

Concepts: Causality

Answer 1

There is a cause-and-effect relationship between the variables. The simplest view is one independent variable causing a change in one dependent variable. Independent variable (X) causes Y (a change in the dependent variable)

Question 2

Concepts: Multi-causality

Answer 2

There is a cause-and-effect relationship between interrelating variables. There are multiple independent variables causing a change in the dependent variable.

Question 3

Concepts: Probability

Answer 3

Probability addresses relative rather than absolute causality. Variations in variables occur. Researcher recognize that a particular cause probably will result in a specific effect.

Question 4

Concepts: Bias

Answer 4

The slanting of findings away from the truth. Bias distorts the findings.
Research designs should be developed to reduce the likelihood of bias or to control for it.

Question 5

Research Design

Answer 5

A research design is a blueprint or detailed plan for conducting a study. Purpose, review of literature, and framework provide the basis for the design.

Question 6

Research Design

Descriptive

Answer 6

Exploration and description of phenomena in real-life situations, new meaning is discovered

Question 7

Types of Research Design

Descriptive: Correlational

Answer 7

Looks at the relationship between two or more variables.

Question 8

Types of Research Design

Descriptive: Quasi-experimental

Answer 8

Examines the cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 9

Types of Research Design

Descriptive: Experimental

Answer 9

Controlled manipulation of at least one independent variable.

Question 10

Cross-Sectional vs. Longitudinal Design: Cross-sectional

Answer 10

Involves examining a group of subjects simultaneously in various stage of development, levels of education, severity of illness, or stages of recovery to describe change in a phenomenon across stage.

Question 11

Cross-Sectional vs. Longitudinal Design: Longitudinal

Answer 11

Involves collecting data from the same subjects at different points in time and might also be referred to as repeated measures.

Question 12

Cross-Sectional vs. Longitudinal Design: Example

Answer 12

A researcher administers a written test to evaluate knowledge of insulin administration and glucose monitoring to a group of subjects at annual intervals over the next decade.

Question 13

Internal Validity

Answer 13

Internal validity is focused on determining if study findings are accurate.

Question 14

Threats to Internal Validity?

Answer 14

• Participant selection
• Participant attrition
• History
• Maturation

Question 15

External Validity

Answer 15

(Generalizability? Person, place, time) External validity is concerned with the extent to which study findings can be generalized beyond the sample used in the study.

Question 16

Threats to external validity?

Answer 16

• Participant selection (people)
• Setting (place)
• History (time)

Question 17

Experimental Group vs. Comparison Group:

Answer 17

The group who received the study intervention is the intervention group, or the experimental group.
The group that is not exposed to the intervention is the control group, or the comparison group.

Question 18

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Answer 18

To test effectiveness. The design uses large number of subjects to test a treatment’s effect and compare results with a control group who did not receive the treatment. The subjects come from a reference population. Randomization of subjects is essential. Usually, multiple geographic locations are used.

Question 19

A research design is?

Answer 19

A blueprint for conducting a quantitative study that maximizes factors that could interfere with the validity of the findings.

Question 20

Four common types of quantitative designs conducted in nursing include?

Answer 20

Descriptive, correlational, quasi-experimental.

Question 21

The concepts important in understanding quantitative research designs include?

Answer 21

Causality, multicausality, probability, bias, prospective, retrospective, control and manipulation.

Question 22

Elements central to the study design include?

Answer 22

The presence or absence of an intervention, method of sampling, number of groups in the sample, number and timing of measurements to be performed, time frame for data collection, planned comparisons, and control of extraneous variables.

Question 23

Study validity is a measure of?

Answer 23

The truth or accuracy of the findings obtained from a study.

Question 24

Four types of validity?

Answer 24

Construct, internal, external, and statistical conclusion

Question 25

Descriptive and correlational designs, called non-experimental or non-interventional designs, focus on?

Answer 25

The description and examination of relationships among variables.

Question 26

Cross-sectional design involves?

Answer 26

Examine a group of participants simultaneously in various stages of development, levels of educational, severity of illness, or stages or recovery to describe changes in phenomenon across stages.

Question 27

Longitudinal design involves?

Answer 27

Collecting data from the same participants at different points in time and might also be referred to as repeated measures.

Question 28

Correlational designs are what three different types?

Answer 28

Descriptive correlational, in which the searcher can seek to describe a relationship, predictive correlational, in which the researcher can predict relationships among variables, and model testing design, in which all the relationships proposed by a theory are tested simultaneously.

Question 29

Interventions or treatments are implemented in quasi-experimental and experimental study to determine there?

Answer 29

Effect on selected dependent variables. Interventions may be physiological, psychosocial, educational, or a combination of these

Question 30

The essential elements of experimental research are:

Answer 30

The random assignment of participants to groups, the researcher’s manipulation of the independent variable, the researchers control of the experimental situation and setting, including a control or comparison group.

Question 31

Critically appraising a design involves?

Answer 31

The study setting, sample, intervention, measurement of variables, and data collection procedures.

Question 32

RCT design is noted to be?

Answer 32

The strongest methodology for testing the effectiveness of an intervention because the elements of the design limit the potential for bias.

Question 33

In order to understand quantitative research design, you have to look at?

Answer 33

• causality
• multicausality
• probability
• bias
• prospective
• retrospective
• control and manipulation

Question 34

Elements that have to be present for a design:

Answer 34

• the presence or absence of an intervention
• method of sampling
• number of groups in the sample
• number and timing of measurements to be performed
• time frame for data collection
• planned comparisons
• control of extraneous

Question 35

3 types of correlational designs:

Answer 35

• descriptive correlational, in which the searcher can seek to describe a relationship
• predictive correlational, in which the researcher can predict relationships among variables
• model testing design, in which all the relationships proposed by a theory are tested simultaneously.

Question 36

The essential elements of experimental research are:

Answer 36

• the random assignment of participants to groups
• the researcher’s manipulation of the independent variable
• the researchers control of the experimental situation and setting, including a control or comparison group.

Question 37

Critically appraising a design involves examining:

Answer 37

• the study setting
• sample
• intervention
• measurement of variables
• data collection procedures.