Module 1 - Chapter 3 Flashcards
Descriptive Research
the exploration and description of phenomena in real-life situations.
What is the purpose of a descriptive research?
Its purpose is to provide an accurate account of characteristics of particular individuals, situations, or groups using numbers
How are Quantitative descriptive studies conducted?
usually conducted with large numbers of subjects or study participants, in natural settings, with no manipulation of the situation.
What are the researchers trying to describe with descriptive research?
- researchers describe what exists to increase knowledge on a phenomenon.
- They determine the frequency with which a phenomenon occurs, categorize the attributes of a phenomenon and measure the relative amount of each category, and determine quantity when a phenomenon can be characterized by amount.
-In descriptive studies, researchers also often compare the results across different groups and/or time.
What are the underlying questions in a descriptive research?
To what extent does this variable exist? What are the principal types of this variable? What are the relative amounts of this variable? Are there differences between groups on this variable? Do individuals change over time regarding this variable?
Correlational research
involves the systematic investigation of relationships between or among variables.
What is the intent of a correlational study?
= The intent of correlational studies is either to explain the nature of relationships or to allow prediction, all in the context of the real world.
-the relationships revealed in correlation studies are not cause-and-effect relationships, but associations
What associations identified by correlational studies identifies what?
hypotheses to guide quasi-experimental and experimental studies that do focus on cause-and-effect relationships
Give example research questions for correlational research?
What is the nature of the relationship between these two variables? To what extent do each of these variables contribute to this outcome? How well does this theory explain this phenomenon? What are the risk factors for this health condition?
What does correlational analysis allow?
Correlational analysis allows the researcher to determine the degree or strength of the relationship and the type (positive or negative) of relationship.
positive relationship
indicates that the variables vary together; that is, both variables increase or decrease together.
negative relationship
indicates that the variables vary in opposite directions; thus as one variable increases, the other will decrease.
quasi-experimental research
purpose of this research is the objective and systematic study of cause-and-effect relationships.
How are cause and effect examined?
by using numerical means to determine whether manipulating one variable affects other variables.
What are involved in these studies (correlational)?
These studies involve implementing an intervention (the manipulated variable) and examining the effects of this intervention using selected methods of measurement
What’s the difference between Quasi-experimental vs experimental studies
- level of control achieved by researchers.
Experimental research
objective, systematic, and highly controlled investigation of cause-and-effect relationships
Why is experimental the most powerful quantitative method
because of the rigorous control of variables.
independent variable
manipulated variable (the intervention)
dependent variables or outcomes
variables subjected to controlled manipulation of the independent
What is a principle of quantitative research?
the notion that measurement is never 100% accurate - this means that 1 test of hypothesis is never sufficient
replication study
the same hypothesis should be retested in a subsequent study
2 types of quantitative research
Basic and applied
Basic research
aims to increase knowledge or understanding of the “fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific application… in mind [emphasis added]”
Purpose of applied research
purpose of applied research in the health sciences is to create knowledge that will improve health, lengthen life, and decrease illness and disability
Applied research
- this type of research is conducted to solve real-life problems, to make decisions, or to predict or control outcomes in real-life practice situations.
- also pertains when theory is tested and validated for its usefulness in nursing practice
Describe A rigorously conducted quantitative study
study has a tightly controlled study design, a representative sample, and precise measuring tools.
What does the strategy substraction consist of
(1) the constructs and concepts of the phenomenon to be studied, (2) their relationships among each other, (3) their corresponding variables, and (4) the measurement method for each variable
Constructs
Concepts at very high levels of abstraction that have general meanings.
Concepts
Terms that abstractly describe and name objects or phenomena, thus providing them with a separate identity or meaning.
Variables
Qualities, properties, or characteristics of persons, things, or situations that change or vary and are manipulated, measured, or controlled in research.
Another aspect of rigor - This aspect encompasses accuracy, detail, and order.
Precision
Control
involves the imposing of rules by researchers to decrease the possibility of error, thereby increasing the probability that the study’s findings are an accurate reflection of reality
design.
The rules used to achieve control in research
extraneous variable
not the focus of a study but can make the independent variable appear more powerful or less powerful than it really is
internal validity
The extent to which a researcher controls for the effects of extraneous variables in the study’s design