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N360 Final
N360 Final
222
Nursing
Undergraduate 3
12/12/2011

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Term
What is Experimental Research?
Definition
Focus is on testing cause and effect
Manipulate independent variable and measure change in dependent variable
Control for factors that may reduce validity of findings
Potential negative effects of extraneous, confounding, and intervening variables
Avoid the term "prove" when discussing results
Term
What is Internal Validity?
Definition
Degree to which change in DV can be attributed to change in IV
Change in IV alone causes change in DV
Potential threats: Selection bias: differences in characteristics of subjects rather than IV, causes change in DV, History: some event (other than IV) occurs during study and influences subjects, Maturation: changes occur in subjects during he study, Testing: subjects' knowledge of experiment or baseline data influences their response, Instrumentation change: accuracy/sensitivity of instrument or measurement methods change from pretest to posttest, Mortality: subjects dropout rate, attrition
Term
What is External Validity?
Definition
Degree to which study results can be generalized to other people, conditions and settings.
Potential Threats: Hawthorne effect: subjects behave differently because they know they're being watched, Experimenter effect: one or more characteristic(s) of researcher influences subjects' behavior, Reactive effects of pretest (aka measurement effect)- subjects' reaction to pretest influences results of posttest
Term
What is Symbolic Presentation?
Definition
Used to assist researchers and readers in understanding experimental research designs
R= random assignment of subjects to a group
O= observation or measurement of DV
X= experimental treatment or intervention
Time sequences moves from left to right
Term
What is True Experimental Designs?
Definition
Highest degree of control over research conditions-->best evidence of causality
Manipulation of experimental variable: experimental intervention (treatment), can be physiological, psychological or both
Subjects split into two groups: experimental and control or comparison group
Random assignment of subjects: procedure for placing subjects into either group with equal probability.
Pretest/Posttest control group design: most common, ensures both groups are equivalent but may introduce pretest bias
Posttest only control group design: used when pretest isn't feasible, eliminates pretest bias but may introduce selection bias
Term
What is Quasi-Experimental Designs?
Definition
Differs from true exp- either no random assignment or no comparison group
Clinical setting, most nursing research is of this type
Non-equivalent control group design: similar to pre/post control group but without random assignment
Time series design: intervention preceded by and followed by periodic observations
Term
What is Non-Experimental Designs?
Definition
Survey study: self-reported info on attitudes, opinions, behaviors, etc, written, verbal or electronic, large quantity of data in short time at relatively low cost
Correlatinal study: examine how changes in one variable coincide with change in another variable, relationships can be positive, negative, strong, weak, or non-existent, range from -1 to 1
Comparative study: evaluate characteristics of two or more groups as it relates to DV without manipulating IV
Term
Why do we need Qualitative Research?
Definition
Gain insight into people's perceptions of events and circumstances
To uncover new, previously unknown phenomena
Not possible to apply quantitative methods to some situations and events
Term
What are the Characteristics of Qualitative Designs?
Definition
Used to discover new concepts rather than establish statistical relationships among variables
Data collected through interviews, observation, written responses, and historical records
Identify common themes or patterns
Bracketing: researchers block out own feelings to better understand participants' perceptions and attitudes
Approaches differ based on discipline from which designs originate: distinctions can be difficult to distinguish
Term
A nurse researcher is interested in the behaviors of people who spend time in intensive care unit waiting rooms. No research could be found about this topic in the nursing literature. What kind of study would be appropriate to study this topic?
Definition
Exploratory
Term
Differentiate between internal and external validity of research designs.
Definition
As the researcher controls for internal validity, external validity usually decreases.
Term
Which of the following threats to internal validity is most difficult to control?
Definition
Mortality
Term
Differentiate between the pretest–posttest control group design and the nonequivalent control group design.
Definition
In the nonequivalent control group design, subjects are not randomly assigned to groups.
Term
How does a researcher control for the reactive effects of the pretest (also called measurement effect)?
Definition
Use a Solomon four-group design.
Term
A correlation coefficient of –0.80 between the number of hours studied for a test and the scores on the test indicates that
Definition
as the number of hours studied decreases, test scores increase.
Term
A researcher is interested in studying child abuse in families where the mother was abused when she was a child. Which of the following designs would be most appropriate to study this phenomenon?
Definition
Ex post facto
Term
When reading a quantitative research report to determine if the design is appropriate, it is most important to read which part of the research article?
Definition
All of the research article
Term
A researcher is studying the use of a new realistic model of the human breast to teach women how to perform breast self-exam (BSE). Six weeks later, the researcher will test the women’s recall of the information taught. Select the situation from those listed below that would concern the researcher most about the validity of her study.
Definition
An actress had to have a mastectomy and made a statement on television that it is important for women to know how to perform BSE.
Term
One of the biggest advantages that a quasi-experimental design has over a true experimental design:
Definition
By conducting research with naturally occurring groups, the “real world” is more closely approximated.
Term
Consider the research article title “Becoming a Father.”
Select the research design that would probably be most appropriate to study the phenomenon of interest.
Definition
Phenomenology
Term
Key informants are used in ethnographic research to obtain
Definition
information from them because they are considered to be most knowledgeable about the culture.
Term
What type of sampling procedure is generally used in qualitative research designs?
Definition
Purposive
Term
The data for historical research should be subjected to internal and external criticism. Which statement is true concerning criticism of historical data?
Definition
External criticism should be considered first.
Term
Grounded theory research is concerned with the
Definition
development of hypotheses.
Term
A research study would be considered a qualitative case study only if
Definition
the researcher is interested in the meaning of the experiences to the subjects themselves, rather than in generalizing results to other groups of people.
Term
The purpose of “bracketing” is to
Definition
help researchers set aside their own ideas about the expected study results.
Term
Data analysis in qualitative research
Definition
seeks to identify themes and patterns in the data.
Term
Which of the following types of qualitative research designs have their roots in the discipline of sociology?
Definition
Grounded theory and case study
Term
A nurse researcher is interested in how people responded to Hurricane Katrina, which occurred in 2005. The most appropriate design for this topic would be
Definition
phenomenological
Term
action research
Definition
A type of qualitative research that seeks action to improve practice and study the effects of the action that was taken.
Term
bracketing
Definition
A process in which qualitative researchers put aside their own feelings or beliefs about a phenomenon that is being studied to keep from biasing their observations.
Term
case studies
Definition
Research studies that involve an in-depth examination of a single person or a group of people. A case study might also examine an institution.
Term
constant comparison
Definition
Data gathered in a qualitative study are constantly or continually compared to data that have already been gathered.
Term
content analysis
Definition
The term used to indicate the examination of communication messages that are obtained in case studies, as well as in other types of qualitative studies.
Term
ethnographic studies
Definition
Research studies that involve the collection and analysis of data about cultural groups.
Term
external criticism (external appraisal, external examination)
Definition
A type of examination of historical data that is concerned with the authenticity or genuineness of the data. External criticism might be used to determine if a letter was actually written by the person whose signature was contained on the letter.
Term
grounded theory studies
Definition
Research studies in which data are collected and analyzed and then a theory is developed that is “grounded” in the data.
Term
historical studies
Definition
Research studies that are concerned with the identification, location, evaluation, and synthesis of data from the past.
Term
internal criticism
Definition
A type of examination of historical data that is concerned with the accuracy of the data. Internal criticism might be used to determine if a document contained an accurate recording of events as they actually happened.
Term
key informant
Definition
A person who is knowledgeable about the culture that is being studied in ethnographic research.
Term
participatory action research (PAR)
Definition
A special kind of action research in which there is collaboration between the study participants and the researcher in all steps of the study.
Term
phenomenological studies
Definition
Research studies that examine human experiences through the descriptions of the meanings of these experiences provided by the people involved.
Term
What are Qualitative Research Designs?
Definition
Phenomenological
Ethnographic
Historical
Term
What are Phenomenological Studies?
Definition
Origins in philosophy
Phenomenon= significant event
Describe and capture the 'lived experience' of participants experience from subject's vantage point
Reality is defined by the individual; unique to each person
Term
What are Ethnographic Studies?
Definition
Origins in anthropology
Collection and analysis of data about cultural groups
Goal is to understand people: ways they live, believe, behave and adapt
Researchers may 'go native' by living with the people and becoming part of their culture
Most common type of qualitative research in nursing
Term
What are Historical Studies?
Definition
Focus on people, events, and situations in the past
Snapshot in time or analysis of changes over period of time
Conducted not only to learn about past, but relate findings to present and future
Data collected from films, newspapers, artifacts, journals, and documents produced at the time
Term
What is a Population?
Definition
Complete set of people/objects that possess a common characteristic, aka target population
Accessible population: portion fo population to which researcher has reasonable access
Element: individual unit of population
Term
What is a Sample?
Definition
Subset of accessible population
In experimental research, representative samples enable conclusions to be generalized to population
Representativeness: degree to which characteristics of sample reflect characteristics of the population
Term
What are Probability Sampling Methods?
Definition
Systematic selection process for choosing a representative sample of elements from the population
Only used in experimental research
Simple Random Sampling: each element of population has equal probability of being selected, software apps have replaced manual methods
Stratified random sampling: Population divided into subgroups (strata) based on a relevant characteristic, simple random sample then extracted from each subgroup
Term
What are Non-Probability Sampling Methods?
Definition
Greater potential for selection bias; limits generalizability
Convenience sampling: subjects selected because they're in right place at right time, most common method used in nursing studies
Network (snowball) sampling: subjects help researchers identify and recruit other subjects in their 'network' of associates
Purposive (selective) sampling: subjects hand-picked by researcher because they possess (or don't possess) a particular characteristic
Term
What is a Longitudinal Study?
Definition
data collected on the same group of subjects over multiple points in time
potential bias from subject dropout, maturation, and history
Term
What is a Cross-Sectional Study?
Definition
Data collected over very short time span
Less expensive and easier to conduct but not suitable for many research studies
Term
What is the Sample Size for Qualitative Studies?
Definition
Quality more important than quantity
Stop when 'saturation of information' achieved
Sample sizes of only 10 participants aren't unusual
Term
What is the Sample Size for Quantitative Studies?
Definition
Desire representativeness
Sample size depends on variety of factors
30-500 usually sufficient
Power analysis: procedure for calculating minimum sample size for experimental studies (min acceptable is 80%)
Term
What is a Sampling Error?
Definition
Difference between data obtained in sample and characteristics of entire population
Random variation; natural and expected
Term
What is a Sampling Bias?
Definition
Systematic variation; undesirable
More likely to occur with non-probability sampling
Possible sources: sample selection, acceptance/refusal rate, dropout rate, etc
Term
What is Random Sampling?
Definition
Subjects are selected to participate in a study using a random sampling technique
Term
What is a Random Assignment?
Definition
After being selected, subjects are randomly assigned to be in either the treatment group or control/comparison group
Term
What are Questionnaires?
Definition
Paper and pencil or electronic method for collecting self reported info from respondents
Used to measure knowledge, opinions, attitudes, beliefs, ideas, feelings, perceptions, and obtain factual info.
Accuracy/quality depends on respondents willingness and ability to provide valid data
Advantages: quick, inexpensive method to collect large amts of data, less time consuming, geographic reach, anonymity and greater honesty
Disadvantages: postage cost, low response rate, skipped questions, no second chance to clarify question intent, requires certain literacy level, may not be representative of popln
Term
What are Questionnaire Design Considerations?
Definition
Appearance: neat, legible, organized, grammatically correct
Language and reading level: appropriate for respondents
Length of individual questions: shorter is better
Wording: follow best practices for developing questions
Placement: group related questions together
Cover letter: clear and concise with instructions
Term
How should Questions be Worded?
Definition
Use affirmative rather than negative wording
Avoid ambiguity
Avoid double negatives
Avoid leading questions
Avoid double-barreled questions
Term
What is a Questionnaire Cover Letter?
Definition
Identification of researcher and sponsoring agency
Purpose of the research
How participant was selected
Reason why respondent should answer the questionnaire
Length of time required to complete
How data will be used and/or made public
Deadline for the return of the questionnaire
Offer to inform respondent of study results
Researchers contact info
Personal signature of researcher
Term
How can you Improve Questionnaire Response Rate?
Definition
Don't send during holiday seasons or popular vacation times
Hand address envelope
Small cash payment
Neatness and clarity
Ease of completion: 10-15 min max, when possible
Pre-addressed, stamped return envelope
Term
What are Interviews?
Definition
Researcher obtains data through face to face, telephone, or electronic communication encounter with respondent
Structured, unstructured, or semi_structured
Advantages: in depth responses, nonverbal behavior and verbal mannerisms are observable
Ability to clarify question intent and responses
Disadvantages: can be time consuming and expensive
Interviewers must be well trained
Potential negative influence of interviewer
Term
What is Observations?
Definition
Determine behaviors to be observed and how they will be observed
Observation procedures: structured or unstructured, event sampling or time sampling
Relationship bran observer and subjects: covert or overt, participant or non participant
Term
What are Scales?
Definition
Likert scale: declarative statement with 5-7 possible responses ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree
Semantic differential scale: two adjectives/phrases presented as anchors on continuum, 5-9 possible responses
Visual analog scale (VAS): straight line (usually 100 mm) drawn on a piece of paper, anchored on each end by words/phrases, phenomenon extremes placed at ends of lines, subjects make a mark on line at pt that corresponds to their experience of the phenomenon
Term
What is HCAHPS?
Definition
Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems
Survey instrument used to collect data on pt perceptions of their hospital experience: communication with nurses and physicians, responsiveness of hospital staff, cleanliness and quietness, pain management
Goals: enable objective comparisons of hospitals on topics important to consumers, provide incentives to hospitals to improve quality of care, enhance accountability by improving transparency
Term
What is Evidenced Based Medicine?
Definition
Archie Cochrane introduced it.
The conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients.
Term
What is Evidenced Based Medicine?
Definition
Archie Cochrane introduced it.
The conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients.
Term
What is a Systematic Review?
Definition
Synthesis of best experimental studies on a particular topic
Looks at studies as a whole, draws conclusions, and makes recommendations for practice
Term
What is an Integrative Review?
Definition
Similar to systematic review but also includes qualitative and non experimental quantitative studies
Term
What is a Meta Analysis?
Definition
Combines data from mltple quantitative studies into a single database
Difficult to do, but when done correctly it provides strongest form of evidence
Term
What is the Process for creating a Systematic Review?
Definition
Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Analyze, Apply, and Assess
Term
What is the AHRQ?
Definition
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Mission: identify the most effective ways to organize, manage, finance, and deliver high quality care, reduce medical errors, and improve patient safety.
Provides research funding
Term
What is Evidence Based Nursing
Definition
RU + nurses clinical expertise + pt values
Research Utilization: application of recommendations from research studies to nursing practice.
Leads to optimized pt outcomes
Term
Why should you Ask Clinical Questions?
Definition
Technique for formatting clinical questions for a specific problem
P=pt or population
I= intervention or interest area
C= comparison intervention or current practice
O= outcomes desired
T= time to achieve outcome (optional)
Term
attrition
Definition
Study participant withdraws from a study.
Term
comparative studies
Definition
Studies in which intact groups are compared on some dependent variable. The researcher is not able to manipulate the independent variable, which is frequently some inherent characteristic of the subjects, such as age or educational level.
Term
comparison group
Definition
A group of subjects in an experimental study that does not receive any experimental treatment or receives an alternate treatment such as the “normal” or routine treatment.
Term
control group
Definition
A group of subjects in an experimental study that does not receive the experimental treatment (see comparison group).
Term
correlation
Definition
The extent to which values of one variable (X) are related to the values of a second variable (Y). Correlations may be either positive or negative.
Term
correlation coefficient
Definition
A statistic that presents the magnitude and direction of a relationship between two variables. Correlation coefficients range from -1.00 (perfect negative relationship) to +1.00 (perfect positive relationship).
Term
descriptive studies
Definition
Research studies in which phenomena are described or the relationship between variables is examined; no attempt is made to determine cause-and-effect relationships.
Term
double-blind experiment
Definition
An experiment in which neither the researcher nor the research participants know which participants are in the experimental and control groups.
Term
experimenter effect
Definition
A threat to the external validity of a research study that occurs when the researcher's behavior influences the subjects' behavior in a way that is not intended by the researcher.
Term
explanatory studies
Definition
Research studies that search for causal explanations; usually experimental in nature.
Term
exploratory studies
Definition
Research studies that are conducted when little is known about the phenomenon that is being studied.
Term
ex post facto studies
Definition
Studies in which the variation in the independent variable has already occurred in the past, and the researcher, “after the fact,” is trying to determine if the variation that has occurred in the independent variable has any influence on the dependent variable that is being measured in the present.
Term
external validity (of experimental designs)
Definition
The degree to which study results can be generalized to other people and other research settings.
Term
extraneous variable
Definition
A type of variable that is not the variable of interest to a researcher but that may influence the results of a study. Other terms for extraneous variable are intervening variable and confounding variable.
Term
field studies
Definition
Research studies that are conducted “in the field” or real-life setting.
Term
Hawthorne effect
Definition
A threat to the external validity of a research study that occurs when study participants respond in a certain manner because they are aware that they are involved in a research study.
Term
history threat
Definition
A threat to the internal validity of an experimental research study; some event besides the experimental treatment occurs between the pretreatment and posttreatment measurement of the dependent variable, and this event influences the dependent variable.
Term
instrumentation change
Definition
A threat to the internal validity of an experimental research study that involves changes from the pretest measurements to the posttest measurements as a result of inaccuracy of the instrument or the judges' ratings rather than as a result of the experimental treatment.
Term
internal validity (of experimental designs)
Definition
The degree to which changes in the dependent variable (effect) can be attributed to the independent or experimental variable (cause) rather than to the effects of extraneous variables.
Term
laboratory studies
Definition
Research studies in which subjects are studied in a special environment that has been created by the researcher.
Term
manipulation
Definition
The independent or experimental variable is controlled by the researcher to determine its effect on the dependent variable.
Term
maturation
Definition
A threat to the internal validity of an experimental research study that occurs when changes that take place within study subjects as a result of the passage of time (growing older, taller) affect the study results.
Term
methodological studies
Definition
Research studies that are concerned with the development, testing, and evaluation of research instruments and methods.
Term
mortality threat
Definition
A threat to the internal validity of an experimental research study that occurs when the subject drop-out rate is different or characteristics are different between those who drop out of the experimental group and those who drop out of the comparison group.
Term
negative relationship (inverse relationship)
Definition
A relationship between two variables in which there is a tendency for the values of one variable to increase as the values of the other variable decrease.
Term
nonequivalent control group design
Definition
A type of quasi-experimental design; similar to the pretest-posttest control group experimental design, except that there is no random assignment of subjects to groups.
Term
one-group pretest-posttest design
Definition
A type of pre-experimental design; compares one group of subjects before and after an experimental treatment.
Term
one-shot case study
Definition
A type of pre-experimental design; a single group of subjects is observed after a treatment to determine the effects of the treatment. No pretest measurement is made.
Term
positive relationship (direct relationship)
Definition
A relationship between two variables in which the variables tend to vary together; as the values of one variable increase or decrease, the values of the other variable increase or decrease.
Term
posttest-only control group design
Definition
Design in which (a) subjects are randomly assigned to groups, (b) the experimental group receives the experimental treatment, and the comparison group receives the routine treatment or no treatment, and (c) a posttest is given to both groups.
Term
pre-experimental design
Definition
A type of experimental design in which the researcher has little control over the research situation; includes the one-shot case study and the one-group pretest-posttest design.
Term
pretest-posttest control group design
Definition
True experimental design in which subjects in the experimental and comparison groups are given a pretest before and a posttest after the administration of the study treatment to the experimental group.
Term
prospective studies
Definition
Studies in which the independent variable or presumed cause (use of birth control pills, for example) is identified at the present time and then subjects are followed for some time in the future to observe the dependent variable or effect (thrombophlebitis or myocardial infarctions, for example).
Term
quasi-experimental design
Definition
A type of experimental design in which there is either no comparison group or no random assignment of subjects to groups; includes the nonequivalent control group design and time-series design.
Term
random assignment
Definition
A procedure used in an experimental study to ensure that each study subject has an equal chance of being placed into any one of the study groups.
Term
reactive effects of the pretest
Definition
A threat to the external validity of a research study that occurs when subjects are sensitized to the experimental treatment by the pretest.
Term
retrospective studies
Definition
Studies in which the dependent variable is identified in the present (e.g., a disease condition) and an attempt is made to determine the independent variable (e.g., cause of the disease) that occurred in the past.
Term
Rosenthal effect
Definition
The influence of interviewers on respondents' answers.
Term
secondary analysis study
Definition
A study in which data are analyzed that were gathered in a previous study. Researchers may test new hypotheses or ask new research questions.
Term
selection bias
Definition
A threat to the internal validity of an experimental research study that occurs when study results are attributed to the experimental treatment when, in fact, the results may be due to pretreatment differences between the subjects in the experimental and comparison groups.
Term
simulation studies
Definition
Laboratory studies in which subjects are presented with a description of a case study or situation that is intended to represent a real-life situation.
Term
study limitations
Definition
Weaknesses in a study that are not controlled by the researcher (e.g., educational level and age of participants).
Term
survey studies
Definition
Research studies in which self-report data are collected from a sample in order to determine the characteristics of a population.
Term
testing
Definition
A threat to the internal validity of a research study that occurs when a pretest is administered to subjects; the effects of taking a pretest on responses on the posttest.
Term
time-series design
Definition
Quasi-experimental design in which the researcher periodically observes subjects and administers an experimental treatment between two of the observations.
Term
true experimental design
Definition
An experimental design in which the researcher (a) manipulates the experimental variable, (b) includes at least one experimental and one comparison group in the study, and (c) randomly assigns subjects to either the experimental or the comparison group; includes the pretest-posttest control group design, posttest-only control group design, and Solomon four-group design.
Term
Which type of data collection is presented in this chapter as “probably used more frequently in nursing research than any other data-collection method”?
Definition
Questionnaires and interviews are probably used most frequently in nursing research.
Term
There are several ways in which the wording of a question can bias the respondent and are not desirable in the formation of research questions. Which of the following is an example of an “ambiguous question” using the information on Wording of Questions in this chapter?
Definition
Do you often eat 5 or more servings of vegetables per day (serving defined as 1 cup of raw or ½ cup of cooked vegetables)?
Term
Most research studies gather some information through the use of demographic questions. Which of the following is the reason for collecting demographic data?
Definition
Demographic questions are used to gather data on the characteristics of the sample of a given study.
Term
In discussing closed-ended questions in this chapter, the author presents several formats that violate rules regarding these questions. Does the following example violate a rule regarding closed-ended questions asked to a group of women 40 years of age or older, and if so which rule is violated?
“What is the length of time since your last menstruation (menses) or period?”
0 days (I have never menstruated) _____
0 days (I am currently menstruating) _____
1–30 days ______
1 month to 6 months _____
6 months to 12 months ____
1 year or longer ____
Definition
The question as stated violates the rule of mutually exclusive categories.
Term
What is the purpose of using filler questions on a research questionnaire?
Definition
Filler questions are used to reduce the emphasis on a specific topic.
Term
Which of the following is considered a factor that would positively influence, or increase, response rates to a questionnaire?
Definition
Time to complete the questionnaire is estimated to take 2 to 3 hours.
Term
Which of the following types of interviews are researchers most likely to employ if they wish to compare data across all subjects but want to provide depth and richness to the data being gathered?
Definition
A semistructured interview will gain information that can be compared across subjects but also allows the research to gain more depth in areas of particular interest .
Term
Which of the following would you classify as an advantage of using interview as a data-collection method for a nursing research study?
Definition
An advantage in using interviews is the high response rate of this data-collection method.
Term
Which type of data-collection method uses a checklist of possible behaviors?
Definition
Structured observations use a checklist to record frequency of previously identified behaviors.
Term
What is the advantage, if there is one, of using of multiple data-collection instruments?
Definition
Multiple data-collection instruments provide a more valid measure of a variable than when only one type of instrument is used.
Term
ambiguous questions
Definition
Questions that contain words that may be interpreted in more than one way.
Term
attitude scales
Definition
Self-report data collection instruments that ask respondents to report their attitudes or feelings on a continuum.
Term
closed-ended questions
Definition
Questions that require respondents to choose from given alternatives.
Term
collectively exhaustive categories
Definition
Categories are provided for every possible answer.
Term
contingency questions
Definition
Questions that are relevant for some respondents and not for others.
Term
Delphi technique
Definition
A data collection method that uses several rounds of questions to seek a consensus on a particular topic from a group of experts on the topic.
Term
demographic questions
Definition
Questions that gather data on characteristics of the subjects.
Term
demographic variables (attribute variables)
Definition
Subject characteristics such as age, educational levels, and marital status.
Term
double-barreled questions
Definition
Questions that ask two questions in one.
Term
event sampling
Definition
Observations made throughout the entire course of an event or behavior.
Term
filler questions
Definition
Questions used to distract respondents from the purpose of other questions that are being asked.
Term
interview
Definition
A method of data collection in which an interviewer obtains responses from a subject in a face-to-face encounter or through a telephone call.
Term
interview schedule
Definition
An instrument containing a set of questions, directions for asking these questions, and space to record the respondents' answers.
Term
Likert scale
Definition
An attitude scale named after its developer, Rensis Likert. These scales usually contain five or seven responses for each item, ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.”
Term
mutually exclusive categories
Definition
Categories are uniquely distinct; no overlap occurs between categories.
Term
non participant observer-covert
Definition
Research observer does not identify herself or himself to the subjects who are being observed.
Term
non participant observer-overt
Definition
Research observer openly identifies that she or he is conducting research and provides subjects with information about the type of data that will be collected.
Term
observation research
Definition
A data-collection method in which data are collected through visual observations.
Term
open-ended questions
Definition
Questions that allow respondents to answer in their own words.
Term
participant observer-covert
Definition
Research observer interacts with the subjects and observes their behavior without their knowledge.
Term
participant observer-overt
Definition
Research observer interacts with subjects openly and with the full awareness of those people who will be observed.
Term
personality inventories
Definition
Self-report measures used to assess the differences in personality traits, needs, or values of people.
Term
physiological measures
Definition
Involve the collection of physical data from subjects.
Term
preexisting data
Definition
Existing information that has not been collected for research purposes.
Term
probes
Definition
Prompting questions that encourage the respondent to elaborate on the topic that is being discussed.
Term
projective technique
Definition
Self-report measure in which a subject is asked to respond to stimuli that are designed to be ambiguous or to have no definite meaning. The responses reflect the internal feelings of the subject that are projected upon the external stimuli.
Term
Q sort (Q methodology)
Definition
A data-collection method in which subjects are asked to sort statements into categories according to their attitudes toward, or rating of, the statements.
Term
questionnaire
Definition
A paper-and-pencil, self-report instrument used to gather data from subjects.
Term
semantic differential
Definition
Attitude scale that asks subjects to indicate their position or attitude about some concept along a continuum between two adjectives or phrases that are presented in relation to the concept that is being measured.
Term
semistructured interviews
Definition
Interviewers ask a certain number of specific questions, but additional questions or probes are used at the discretion of the interviewer.
Term
structured interviews
Definition
Interviewers ask the same questions in the same manner of all respondents.
Term
structured observations
Definition
The researcher makes the determination of behaviors to be observed before data collection. Usually some kind of checklist is used to record behaviors.
Term
telephone interviews
Definition
Data are collected from subjects through the use of phone calls rather than in face-to-face encounters.
Term
time sampling
Definition
Observations of events or behaviors that are made during certain specified time periods.
Term
unstructured interviews
Definition
The interviewer is given a great deal of freedom to direct the course of the interview; the interviewer's main goal is to encourage the respondent to talk freely about the topic that is being explored.
Term
unstructured observations
Definition
The researcher describes behaviors as they are viewed, with no preconceived ideas of what will be seen.
Term
visual analogue scale
Definition
Subjects are presented with a straight line that is anchored on each end with words or phrases that represent the extremes of some phenomenon, such as pain. Subjects are asked to make a mark on the line at the point that corresponds to their experience of the phenomenon. Either a horizontal or vertical line may be used.
Term
Which of the following is correct about the history of Evidence-based Practice (EBP)?
Definition
The originator stressed that evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) would be the best source.
Term
Which of the following best describes the Cochrane Collaboration?
Definition
an international organization that prepares a systemic review of reports of randomized controlled trials to promote evidenced based practice (EBP)
Term
Which of the following is true about the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)? Select all that apply.
Definition
It is the health services research branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS)

It has established 13 EBP Centers across the country.

It complements the work of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Term
Differentiate between research utilization (RU) and evidence-based nursing practice
Definition
Evidence-based practice is broader in scope, starting with a clinical problem then seeking to find solutions.
Term
Which of the following are Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Centers in Nursing?
Definition
Sarah Cole Hirsch Institute for Best Nursing Practices in Cleveland, OH
Term
Differentiate the correct sources of evidence for practice.
Definition
cost-effectiveness analysis, benchmarking data, clinical expertise
Term
Which of the following correctly identifies levels of evidence for use in practice as suggested by Stetler in a hierarchy presentation?
Definition
the third level is quasi-experimental studies, the fourth level includes non-experimental studies (comparative and correlational studies)
Term
Does Stetler’s model fit with nursing research?
Definition
No, because true randomized controlled trials are rarely used in nursing, and nurses deal with psychological, social, and other aspects that do not lend themselves to randomized clinical trials.
Term
What are the main points of the concept care bundles?
Definition
When several practices or interventions are used in combination, they will have a greater effect on outcomes.
Term
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is the leading independent panel of private-sector experts in the area of primary care and preventive services.
Which of the following is true about the USPSTF?
Definition
It rates the strength and quality of the evidence and determines the benefits and harms for each preventive service.
Term
The best means of obtaining an unbiased sample of subjects in a community is to select random sample of names from the telephone directory (TRUE or FALSE)
Definition
FALSE
Term
Nonprobability sampling means there is no probability that the subjects selectd will constitute a biased sample (TRUE or FALSE)
Definition
FALSE
Term
Reseachers generally study samples rather than populations (TRUE of FALSE)
Definition
TRUE
Term
A sampling frame is a listing of all elements of a population study (TRUE or FALSE)
Definition
TRUE
Term
What is the sample type:
The clients in the HTN clinics of two local hospitals are studied
Definition
Convenience sample
Term
What is the sample type:
A total of 20 nursing service administrators are randomply selected from a random sample of 10 hospitals in the state
Definition
CLuster sample
Term
What is the sample type:
Every 5th nurse is randomly selected from the mailing list of the American Nurses Association
Definition
Systematic sample
Term
What is the sample type:
The first 30 ment and first 30 women who are admitted to the hospital for abdominal surgery during the time of the research study are asked to participate
Definition
Quota sample
Term
What is the sample type:
The first 30 ment and first 30 women who are admitted to the hospital for abdominal surgery during the time of the research study are asked to participate
Definition
Quota sample
Term
What is the sample type:
To determine the frequency of the recording of nursing diagnoses by nurses, a sample of 100 charts is randomly selected from all of the patients' charts during the previous year
Definition
Simple random sample
Term
What is the sample type:
To obtain mothers of children with CF, a researcher contacted one such mother who lived in her neighborhood and asked her is she knew of any other mothers or children with CF
Definition
Snowball sample
Term
Which of the following is an advantage of an interview method of data collection versus a questionnaire?
Definition
The collected data tend to be more complete
Term
A researcher wants to determine future priorities for research in psychiatric nursing. The participants will be clinical specialists in psychiatric nursing. WHich of the following data collection methods would probably be used?
Definition
Delphi technique
Term
Which of the follwoing data-collection methods is most likely to prevent participants from providing socially acceptable responses to questions?
Definition
Projective technique
Term
Likert scale
Definition
Presents statements to whihc respondents indicate level of agreement or disagreement along a continuum
Term
Semantic differential
Definition
Contains sets of bipolar adjectives; asks respondents to select a point on a scale between two adjectives
Term
Q sort
Definition
Participants are asked to place statements into categories according to theri attitudes toward or rating of the statements
Term
Projective technique
Definition
Subjects are asked to look at pictures and tell what meaning the pictures have for them
Term
Delphi
Definition
Leaders in critical care nursing are asked to identify research priorities for critical care nursing in the next 5 years
Term
When was the concept of evidence-based practice first introduced?
Definition
1970s
Term
What person or organization is generally credited with starting the movement toward evidence based practice?
Definition
Archie Cochrane
Term
Which of the following countries does not have a Cochrane Center
Definition
Germany
Term
Which level of evidence is most often placed at the top of the hierarchy of evidence for practice decisions?
Definition
A consensus of opinion from a group of experts on the topic
Term
Which if the following is not an example of an evidence based nursing practice center?
Definition
National Institute for Nursing Research
Term
When the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force assigns a "C" recommendation to a preventative service, it means
Definition
A recommendation is being made against routinely providing the service
Term
Care bundles have been used
Definition
most often in critical care units
Term
Which of the following agencies is a source for clinical guidelines?
Definition
National Guideline Clearinghouse
Term
Which of the following nurses chaired the committee that developed practice guidelines for pressure ulcers?
Definition
Nancy Bergstrom
Term
Some nurses are calling for more emphasis to be placed on what type of evidence on which to base practice decisions?
Definition
results from qualitative research studies
Term
Quantitative or Qualitative Research?
Sample size is adequate when saturation of information is achieved
Definition
Qualitative
Term
Quantitative or Qualitative Research?Power analysis can be used to determine the appropriate sample size
Definition
Quantitative
Term
Quantitative or Qualitative Research?Quality and depth of information obtained from the study participants are used to determine sample size
Definition
Qualitative
Term
Quantitative or Qualitative Research?
As control of extraneous variables increases, the necessary sample size decreases
Definition
Quantitative
Term
Quantitative or Qualitative Research?The more sensitive the measurement methods used in a study, the fewer subjects are needed
Definition
Quantitative
Term
Quantitative or Qualitative Research?
The more variables or concepts examined in the study, the larger the sample size needed
Definition
Qualitative and Quantitative
Term
Quantitative or Qualitative Research?
Simple random sampling is strongest method for decreasing potential bias
Definition
Quantitative
Term
What Type of Sampling Method Is Described?
A sample of 500 nurses was randomly selected from a list of all RN’s in the state of Texas
Definition
Random
Term
What Type of Sampling Method Is Described?A sample of 50 diabetic patients was obtained from an outpatient clinic and randomly assigned to the comparison or experimental group
Definition
Convenience
Term
What Type of Sampling Method Is Described?A sample of 10 subjects with HIV was obtained by asking three subjects to identify friends with HIV who might participate in the study
Definition
snowball/network
Term
What Type of Sampling Method Is Described?A sample of 50 subjects in a med-surg unit at the hospital were asked to participate in a study
Definition
convenience
Term
What Type of Sampling Method Is Described?Ethnicity was used to stratify a group of 100 randomly selected subjects
Definition
stratified
Term
What Type of Sampling Method Is Described?Patients with asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis from the local ‘Better Breathers’ chapter were recruited to participate in a study
Definition
convenience
Term
What Type of Sampling Method Is Described?Researchers selected a sample of 50 patients, including 25 who were examples of strong self-care and 25 who were examples of poor self care
Definition
purposive (selective)
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