1. Introduction to Quantitative Research
Windy Alonso, MS, RN
The Pennsylvania State University
Spring 2016

2. Learning objectives Define quantitative research
Describe the four types of quantitative research
Identify the importance of rigor and control in nursing research
Discuss reliability and validity in research
Identify the steps of the research process
Compare and contrast the nursing process and the research process
Identify the parts of a research paper

3. Quantitative vs. qualitative

4. Quantitative vs. qualitative

5. What is quantitative research?
Formal
Systematic
Objective
Rigorous

6. Types of quantitative research
Descriptive
Correlational
Quasi-experimental
Experimental

7. Descriptive studies Explore and describe “real-life” phenomena
Large number of participants
Natural setting
No manipulation of variables
Goals:
Concept identification and description
Identification of relationships between concepts
Hypothesis generating

8. Descriptive studies Explore and describe “real-life” phenomena
Large number of participants
Natural setting
No manipulation of variables
Goals:
Concept identification and description
Identification of relationships between concepts
Hypothesis generating

9. Correlational Studies
Investigate and describe relationships between or among variables
Relationships can be positive or negative
Do not determine cause and effect
Do not test interventions
Goals:
Explore relationships or associations
Hypothesis generating

10. Correlational Studies
Investigate and describe relationships between or among variables
Relationships can be positive or negative
Do not determine cause and effect
Do not test interventions
Goals:
Explore relationships or associations
Hypothesis generating

11. Quasi-Experimental Studies
Examine causal relationships or determine the effect of one variable on another
Interventions or treatments are tested
Less control of variables than in experimental studies
No random assignment

12. Quasi-Experimental Studies
Examine causal relationships or determine the effect of one variable on another
Interventions or treatments are tested
Less control of variables than in experimental studies
No random assignment

13. Experimental Studies Highly controlled, systematic design
Examines causality
Three main characteristics:
Controlled manipulation of an independent (treatment) variable
Comparison of a treatment group (participants exposed to treatment) and a control group (unexposed to treatment)
Random assignment

14. Experimental Studies Highly controlled, systematic design
Examines causality
Three main characteristics:
Controlled manipulation of an independent (treatment) variable
Comparison of a treatment group (participants exposed to treatment) and a control group (unexposed to treatment)
Random assignment

15. Rigor & control
RIGOR – excellence in research attained by strict attention to detail and methods
Precision – accuracy, detail, and order
CONTROL – strategies to increase accuracy of results and decrease the probability of errors in research
Experimental studies have highest degree of control
A researcher selects a design that can achieve the greatest control AND answer the research question

16. Reliability & Validity
Reliability = Consistency
Validity = Does the measure accurately represent the real world?
Clinical scenario: A healthy, 25 year old man that is walking around the examine room before his appointment.
Every time the electronic blood pressure device measures his blood pressure it reads 60/30.
Is the device reliable? Is the device valid?

17. The research process Quantitative research is formal and systematic
Involves all the stages of a research project
Culminates in the dissemination of findings

18. Nursing process vs. research process1.
Assess
Review literature 2.
Diagnose
Identify a problem 3.
Plan
Design study 4.
Implement
Collect Data 5.
Evaluate
Analyze data 6.
Modify
Interpret results

19. Contents of a research report
Abstract – brief summary
Introduction – background information, statement of the problem and your purpose for conducting the study
Methods – how did you do your study
Results – what did you find
Discussion- what do you think it means and why is it important to the rest of us, limitations
May include: Implications and/or Conclusions
References – give credit where credit is due