N307 Research for EvidenceBased Practice

SDSU IV Campus
Fall 2015
Chapter 8: How were those people studied?
(Used with modification by L. Greiner Fall 2015)

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Independent variables are

used to explain or predict.
A. True
B. False
C. It depends

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Dependent variables are what

we want to explain or predict.
A. True
B. False
C. It depends

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Dependent variables are what

we want to explain or predict.
A. True
B. False
C. It depends

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

a feeling of sorrow and loss

associated with a decrease in
excitement about living.
A. A theoretical definition of sadness
B. A description of sadness
C. An operational definition of sadness
D. None of the above
E. All of the above
Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Methods for constructing the

meaning of variables in
qualitative research
Qualitative methods do not aim to measure in
specific or concrete ways.
Qualitative methods do aim to expand our
understanding.
Qualitative methods depend on participants
open sharing of their thoughts, feelings, and
experiences.
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In quantitative studies,
unstructured interviews may be
used to collect data.
A. True
B. False
C. It depends

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In data collection, an
instrument refers to
A. A blood pressure cuff
B. A questionnaire
C. An unstructured interview
D. None of these
E. All of these
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In data collection, a scale

refers to
A. Object used to obtain weight
B. Statements to measure a variable
C. A questionnaire
D. None of these
E. All of these
Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Try it out
Index of Social Control
How many items are there?
How is it scored?
What does it mean?
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In quantitative research, which type of

measurement would be used?
A. Participant Observation
B. Unstructured Interviews
C. Questionnaires
D. Photographs

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Can we always measure

something with 100% accuracy?
If two nurses measure blood pressure within 1
minute of each other, will they get the identical
reading?
No, because each may have a slightly different
level of hearing, place the cuff at a slightly
different place, or have a different quality of
stethoscope.
So the measurement of variables in research is
open to ERROR.
Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Error in measurement
Can be present in either
qualitative or quantitative studies

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Error is
A. Avoidable with appropriate method
B. Difference between what is real and what is found
in the data
C. Justifiable in a small sample
D. None of these
E. All of these

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

In a qualitative study, which of

the following reduces error?
A. Sample size
B. Method
C. Rigor
D. None of these
E. All of these

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Rigor: Process of data collection

and analysis in qualitative studies
Rigor is reflected in the
consistency of data analysis and
interpretation,
trustworthiness of data,
transferability of themes
credibility of the data
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In a quantitative study, which of

the following reduces error?
A. Reliability and Validity
B. Validity only
C. Reliability only
D. Rigor
E. None of these

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

RELIABILTIY: Decreasing error in

quantitative studies
Reliability = the ability of a measure to
consistently yield the same results if
there has truly been no change
Three approaches to measuring or
checking reliability of quantitative
measures
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This type of reliability will measure the

same subject on two separate occasions
using the same instrument.
A. Alpha coefficient
B. Internal consistency reliability
C. Interrater reliability
D. Testretest reliability

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

VALIDITY: Decreasing error in

quantitative studies
Examines how accurate the measure
is or how true results are using the
measure
A measure can be reliable but not
valid.
That is, it can be consistent, but
consistently measure incorrectly.
Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

A researcher is considering using either

the PHQ-9 or the Beck Depression Scale
in her study. Which type of validity will
help her decide if the measures are
equivalent?
A. Content validity
B. Criterion related validity
C. Construct validity
D. None of these
E. All of these
Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Connections
Data collection affects sampling.
If the study requires a blood test and I am
afraid of needles, I will not participate.
The rigor, reliability, and validity of measures
affect the quality of results and conclusions.
Data collection and the quality of the
measurement may be a limit to a study.
Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

In class activity
Work with your group to review the studies you have
found for your project. Answer these questions:
1.Determine if the studies are quantitative or
qualitative and separate them into these two
categories. How did you decide?
2.You may have to make a separate category for
mixed method studies!

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

For Qualitative Studies

How did the authors collect their data
Unstructured interviews
Participant observation
Group interviews
Other

Write a short sentence to define each of these methods and then for each
study explain how the author used them (2-3 sentences).

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

For Qualitative Studies

How did the authors address
Trustworthiness
Confirmability
Transferablity
Credibility

Write a short sentence to define each of these concepts and then for each
study explain how the author addressed them.

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

For Quantitative Studies

How did the authors collect their data
Structured interviews
Semi-structured interviews
Questionnaire
Physiologic measures
Other

Write a short sentence to define each of these methods and for each study explain how the
author used them (2-3 sentences).

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

For Quantitative Studies

How did the authors address
Reliability
Interrater, test-retest, and internal consistency reliability

Validity
Content, criterion, and construct validity
Write a short sentence to define each of these concepts and for each study explain
how the author addressed them .

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Questions?

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