Week 1 - Nursing Research & Qual/Quan Data Flashcards
Research
systematic inquiry using disciplined methods to answer questions or solve problems
Nursing Research
systematic inquiry to develop trustworthy evidence about issues of importance to nurses and their clients (humans)
Clinical Nursing Research
nursing research designed to guide nursing practice
Evidence Based Practice (EBP)
the use of the best clinical evidence in making patient care decisions
the basis for nursing decisions at the bedside and in clinical practice; influences many recent clinical practice changes
produces decisions that are clinically appropriate, cost-effective, and result in positive client outcomes
Around when did the explosion of EBP begin to be used in medicine
1970s
What groups priorities can drive what the nursing profession is looking to ask questions about?
NINR - national institute of nursing research
they provide the funding on what they deem valuable research
What are some current and future directions for nursing research
continued focus on EBP
ongoing growth of research synthesis
increased emphasis on patient centeredness
relatedly, greater interest in the applicability of research
expanded local research and quality improvement efforts in health care settings
increased focus on health disparities
growing interest in defining and ascertaining clinical significance
Just because something is statistically significant…
may not mean it is clinically significant
What are some of NINR’s areas of focus in nursing research
Symptom science - promoting personalized health strategies
Wellness - promoting health and preventing disease
Self Management - improving quality of life for individuals with chronic illness
end of life and palliative care - the science of compassion
What are some knowledge sources for nursing practice
tradition and “experts” - this is where knowledge originates from
clinical experience and trial-and-error
disciplined research - the best method of acquiring reliable knowledge; Evidence based findings - hopefully can be free from bias
Paradigm
worldview or general perspective of the world’s complexities
“a model in our head”
Assumption
a principle that is believed to be true without verification
Assumptions are principles we believe to be true WITHOUT verification
What are the 2 key paradigms for nursing research
Positivist Paradigm
Constructivist Paradigm
Positivism (Positivist Pardigm)
“There are absolute laws in the world”
Belief in absolute laws that are always true like gravity, and we rely on these laws and not just believe something as it just is
Belief of an objective reality
What is positivism research like
Generalization is the purpose
The goal is to exert as much control over the research setting as possible to see if we can see something happen and be confident in believing it is due to the independent variable
The researcher can become independent from those being studied, their biases are checked and objective, they use discrete concept and fixed design while exerting control
Positivist research collects ___ information
quantifiable (quantitative)
Since positivism collects quantitative data, it is a ___ process
Deductive (Hypothesis Testing)
(If I do X then Y will occur)
Constructivism (Constructivist Paradigm)
The idea of no objective reality - knowledge does not truly exist we make it up based on experience - prominent theory in the 19th CE
Belief reality is subjective and we construct it
What is Constructivist research like
it is impossible for the researcher to separate from surroundings - so they end up interacting
There are multiple realities so everything is subjective to the researcher
subjectivity is desirable and the focus is on the non quantifiable
purpose is insight and in depth understanding of the multiple realities - we want to explore and find more information not find laws
the design can be flexible and emergent
Constructivist research collects ___ information
qualitative
Since constructivism collects qualitative data, it is a __ process
inductive process - hypothesis generation
we are making more hypotheses not testing ones we already have
Are either paradigm wrong?
No they are both correct and exist - but as we continue to research we must choose which to follow more closely based on the approach and questions we have
Overall quantitative research is more closely allied with ___ tradition while qualitative research is associated with ___ tradition
positivist; constructivist
Research Methods
the techniques used to structure a study and to gather, analyze, and interpret information
includes qualitative and quantitative research
Do Positivists and Constructivists always have to follow quantitative and qualitative research methods respectively?
No it all depends
What are some common features shared among both paradigms?
- Ultimate Goal - increased knowledge
- External Evidence - words or numbers, both are external still
- Reliance on Human Cooperation
- Ethical Constraints
- Fallibility - neither is perfect
What are the various levels of explanation that research can answer
Identification
Description
Exploration
Prediction and Control
Explanation
Identification Level
what is the phenomenon? what is its name?
Qualitative
Description Level
How prevalent is the phenomenon (quan)
what are the dimensions or characteristics of the phenomenon (qual)
Exploration level
What factors are related to the phenomenon (quan)
What is the full nature of the phenomenon (qual)
Prediction/Control Level
If phenomenon X occurs, will phenomenon Y follow? Can the phenomenon be prevented (Quan)
Explanation Level
What is the underlying cause of the phenomenon (Quan)
What does the phenomenon mean (Qual)
Why does nursing research relate to use regardless of if we join in the research
We will consume research regardless as a function of clinical practice
Part of a nurses professional responsibilities is to evaluate and critique research to determine its worth
Overall nursing research can…
better patient outcomes in the end
How does the terminology for quantitative and qualitative research differ regarding the “Person contributing information”
Quantitative: Subject, Participant, Respondent
Qualitative: Study participant, Informant, Phenomena
How does the terminology for quantitative and qualitative research differ regarding “What is being investigated”?
Both: Concepts and Constructs
Quantitative: Variables