Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Chapter 3 Key Concepts and Steps in Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question Tell whether the following statement is true or false: A variable is a characteristic or quality that takes on different values.

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer True A variable is a characteristic or quality that takes on different values.

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question Tell whether the following statement is true or false: The dependent variable is the presumed cause of the problem.

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer False The independent variable is the presumed cause (of a dependent variable). The dependent variable is the presumed effect (of an independent variable).

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Variable A characteristic or quality that takes on different values, that is, something that varies from one person to the next Examples: –Blood type –Weight –Length of stay in hospital

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Types of Variables Continuous (e.g., height) Discrete (e.g., number of children) Categorical (e.g., marital status) Dichotomous (e.g., gender) Attribute variable vs. Active variable

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Types of Variables (cont.) Independent variable—the presumed cause (of a dependent variable) Dependent variable—the presumed effect (of an independent variable) Example: Smoking (IV)  Lung cancer (DV)

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question Tell whether the following statement is true or false: Conceptual definition is the operations a researcher must perform to collect the desired information.

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer False Conceptual definition: the abstract or theoretical meaning of a concept being studied. Operational definition: the operations (measurements) a researcher must perform to collect the desired information.

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Definitions of Concepts and Variables Conceptual definition: the abstract or theoretical meaning of a concept being studied Operational definition: the operations (measurements) a researcher must perform to collect the desired information

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Relationships Relationship: a bond or connection between variables Cause-and-effect (causal) relationship (e.g., cigarette smoking and lung cancer) Functional (associative) relationship (e.g., gender and life expectancy)

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Classes of Quantitative Research Experimental research Researchers actively introduce an intervention or treatment Nonexperimental research Researchers collect data without intervening or introducing treatments

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Research Traditions in Qualitative Research Grounded theory research Phenomenological research Ethnographic research

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question What is the first phase in a quantitative study? A.Conceptual Phase B.Design and Planning Phase C.Empirical Phase D.Analytic Phase

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer A The phases in a quantitative study are: Phase 1: Conceptual phase Phase 2: Design and planning phase Phase 3: Empirical phase Phase 4: Analytic phase Phase 5: Dissemination phase

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Phases in a Quantitative Study Phase 1: Conceptual Phase Phase 2: Design and Planning Phase Phase 3: Empirical Phase Phase 4: Analytic Phase Phase 5: Dissemination Phase

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Steps in a Quantitative Study Phase 1: Conceptual Phase 1. Formulating the problem 2. Reviewing related literature 3. Undertaking clinical fieldwork 4. Defining the framework and developing conceptual definitions 5. Formulating hypotheses

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Steps in a Quantitative Study (cont.) 6. Selecting a research design 7. Developing intervention protocols 8. Identifying the population 9. Designing the sample plan Phase 2: Design and Planning Phase

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Steps in a Quantitative Study (cont.) Phase 2: Design and Planning Phase (cont.) 10. Specifying methods to measure research variables and collect data 11. Developing methods to protect human/animal rights 12. Finalizing and reviewing the research plan

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Steps in a Quantitative Study (cont.) Phase 3: Empirical Phase 13. Collecting data 14. Preparing data for analysis

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Steps in a Quantitative Study (cont.) Phase 4: Analytic Phase 15. Analyzing the data 16. Interpreting results

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Steps in a Quantitative Study (cont.) Phase 5: Dissemination Phase 17. Communicating the findings 18. Utilizing findings in practice

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Activities in a Qualitative Study 1. Conceptualizing and planning the study 2. Conducting the study 3. Disseminating the findings

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Research Journal Articles Summarize the context, design, and results of a study; the primary method of disseminating research evidence

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Content of Journal Articles Abstract Introduction Methodology Results Discussion