Research terminology Flashcards
What is the difference between positivist and constructivist paradigms?
P: used for quantitative research, reality is fixed and measureable, objective and proveable
C: used for qualitative research, reality is constructed by the individuals involved, very subjective
Where would the reader find a description of the instruments used for data collection?
In the METHODS section of the article
These are, by definition, tested through empirical or quantitative research.
Hypotheses
What type of research study can assess differences of cause-effect relationships?
Quantitative research studies- experimental designs
What is a paradigm?
ones philosophical belief or worldview
What is inductive research?
a qualitative approach to research where generalizations are developed from observations; reasoning moves from particular to the general
The context refers to….
the environment where a phenomenon occurs
The overall blueprint of a study is known as the….
Design
What is triangulation?
Using more than one method to investigate a phenomenon
What is deductive research?
a quantitative approach, hypotheses are derived from theory, reasoning moves from the general to the particular
What is the abstract?
a brief overview of the study including the findings
A hypothesis with at least 2 independent or dependent variables
complex hypothesis
The statement that includes the aims of the study is called…..
a purpose statement
The properties that researchers study are called
variables
What kind of hypothesis demonstrates a relationship between variables
an associative hypothesis
What is another name for a null hypothesis?
Statistical hypothesis
What is a null hypothesis?
A hypothesis with no stated relationship
A statement that predicts the relationship between variables
hypothesis
A hypothesis that can be either directional or non-directional
a research hypothesis
What are the 3 components of a problem statement?
Nature, context, significance
What kind of hypothesis describes a positive relationship?
a directional hypothesis
A hypothesis with 1 independent and 1 dependent variable
simple hypothesis
Explain the 5 step research process
THINKING (id the problem/purpose and review the literature)
PLANNING (choose study design & approach to sample, data collection)
IMPLEMENTING (recruiting participants and collecting data)
ANALYZING (interpret findings)
INFORMING (disseminating results
What are the 4 levels of research?
Descriptive
Correlational
Quasi-experimental
Experimental
What is a descriptive survey?
NON-experimental research where descriptions of existing phenomena are collected in order to justify or assess current conditions or make plans for improvments
What is a correlational study?
type of nonexperimental research that examines the relationship between two or more variables
What does it mean when a study is quasi-experimental?
random assignment is not used, but the independent variable is manipulated and certain mechanisms of control are used.
What 3 elements are necessary to create an experimental design?
- randomization
- control
- manipulation
Which method of study has results that are meant to be able to generalize into other populations?
Quantitative
Which research method tests theory?
Quantitative
Which method of study develops theory?
Qualitative
What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative studies?
QUANT: starts with a theory with a goal of testing said theory, highly controlled, use structured instruments and numbers and statistical analysis in order to make generalizations based on theory
QUAL: starts with phenomenon with the goal of developing a theory,
use communication and observation, words and unique interpretation to develop theory
Name 3 types of quantitative studies
- Randomized clinical Trial
- survey research
- evaluation research
- meta-Analysis
Name 3 types of Qualitative studies
- phenomenology
- ethnography
- grounded theory
- meta-synthesis
What is the difference between an experimental and a non-experimental study? Give an example of each.
E: manipulates and controls variables and observes effect on other variables in an effort to evaluate cause and effect relationships
example: does a pre-op intervention program to increase self-efficacy affect self care measure post-op?
NON: describes relationships or correlation between variables that are NOT manipulated by the researcher
example: correlation between HRT and breast CA
What type of study evaluates cause and effect relationships?
Quantitative Experimental design, randomized-control trial
What is the difference between preliminary reading and comprehensive reading?
PRE: read to gain familiarity, focus on title and abstract, skim rest
COMP: read to gain understanding of the intent, the methods and the findings
What does it mean to analyze a research article?
break the content into parts to understand each aspect of the study
What is a synthesis?
pulling together or combining parts into a whole– to makes sense of it an explain relationships
What is usually included in the discussion section of a research article?
- major findings
- limitations
- conclusions, implications and recommendations
What is a problem statement? What are the 3 necessary components?
an expression of a dilemma or disturbing situation that needs to be investigated
- nature
- context
- significance
What are the 3 necessary components to a purpose statement? where do you normally find this in a research article?
- setting
- population
- variables
* Normally found immediately prior to the methods section in an article
What are the 3 necessary components to finding a researchable question?
- helps to solve a problem, add to theory or improve nursing practice
- Needs to be usable, current and clear
- Provides answers that will explain, describe, identify, predict or qualify
A hypothesis MUST: (3 things)
- predict relationship between 2 or more variables
- be testable (observe, measure, analyze)
- be justifiable (based on theory or rationale)
What kind of studies MUST include a formal hypothesis?
experimental studies (RCT)
How do you know if there is an implied hypothesis?
If in the results section there is a “P” value, there is an implied hypothesis
Give an example of a directional/non-directional relationship
Directional: pts who receive reconditioning have LESS bladder dysfunction than those who dont
NON-Directional: There is a difference in bladder function among pts with and without conditioning
What are the 4 [8] types of hypotheses?
- Causal v associative
- Simple v complex
- directional v non-directional
- null v research
What are independent variables?
Has the presumed effect on the dependent variable, may or may not be manipulated, CAUSE, ACTION, INTERVENTION
What are dependent variables?
The consequence that varies with a change in the independent variable EFFECT, OUTCOME, REACTION, RESPONSE
What are extraneous variables?
[confounding]- extra uncontrolled variables that influence the relationship being studied
What is the difference between conceptual and operational definitions?
CONCEPT: the abstract, theoretical meaning of the concept being studied
OPERATIONAL” the means by which the researcher will collect information (only in quantitative studies)
