class 16

Question 1

what is inference?

Answer 1

using information about the sample to draw conclusions about the target population
-may be using limited information
-uses logical reasoning

Question 2

what is credibility

Answer 2

“are the results right?”
results should be analyzes and interpreted with consideration to:
-internal & statistical conclusion validity
-external validity
-bias
-corroboration

Question 3

interpreting quantitative results in a study

Answer 3

-found in the Discussion section
-results compared to other studies
-results related to framework
-lead to conclusions, implications, recommendations
“making sense of the results”

Question 4

statistically significant results while interpreting quantitative results

Answer 4

could be a true reflection of reality OR a type 1 error

Question 5

statistically non-significant results while interpreting quantitative results

Answer 5

could be a true reflection of reality OR a type 2 error
-p>alpha level

Question 6

significant hypothesized (predicted) results

Answer 6

-statistically significant (p= or <alpha)
-support logical links between framework, questions, variables, and instruments
-potentially important contribution to the body of knowledge about the research topic (or type 1 error)

Question 7

significant un-hypothesized results

Answer 7

-statistically significant (p<= alpha) but different than predicted
-may indicate flaw in logic of the researcher and/or the theory being tested
-if valid, may be important to the body of knowledge

Question 8

what are mixed results

Answer 8

-some results statistically significant and some not (e.g. hypothesis is supported, one is not)
-may indicate methodological problems
-may indicate need to modify existing theory (important to body of knowledge)

Question 9

clinical importance/significance

Answer 9

clinical importance means the findings/results have actual significance for real-world scenarios
-associated with importance to the nursing body of knowledge i.e. practical implications for patients and/or healthcare decisions
-may be reported statistically at individual or group level i.e. effect size, confidence interval, number needed to treat

Question 10

statistical importance/significance

Answer 10

statistical importance means there is a relationship between variables in the data that did not likely occur by chance (doesn’t mean its clinically feasible/important i.e. small effect size)

Question 11

limitations of a study

Answer 11

often designated section of a research article
actual or potential weaknesses of the study (could be related to design, sample, framework)
should be acknowledged by researchers

Question 12

conclusions of a study

Answer 12

synthesis of results using: logical reasoning, creative formation of a meaningful whole through data analysis and findings from previous studies
-informed by corroboration from other studies of same or similar phenomena
-should eb warranted by the data/results
-should be warranted by the design

Question 13

implications of a study

Answer 13

meanings of conclusions for nursing theory, research, education, and practice
based upon, but more specific than conclusions
-inform recommendations - specific suggestions for implementing study findings

Question 14

implications/recommendations: suggesting further research

Answer 14

-researcher gains knowledge and experience from conducting the study that can be used to design a better study next time
i.e.replication, different design, larger sample, new hypothesis, strategies to further test framework/theory

Question 15

generalizing findings

Answer 15

-extends implications of findings from the sample studied to a large population/situation
-generalizability (external validity) should be acknowledged

Question 16

empirical generalization

Answer 16

-based on accumulated evidence from many studies
-important for verification of theoretical statements or for development of a new theory
-researchers should discuss their findings in relation to past studies