1. Chapter 3 An Overview of Quantitative Research

2. Learning Objective 1
List the steps in conducting quantitative research

3. Quantitative vs Qualitative
Quantitative research: is concerned with objectivity, tight controls over the research situation, and the ability to generalize findings.
Qualitative research: is concerned with the subjective meaning of an experience to an individual.

4. Quantitative Research Steps
Number varies from author to author
Macnee (2004)= uses 5 steps
Stommel &Wills (2004)= identified 9 steps
Burns & Grove(2005)= listed 17 steps
Polit and Beck (2004)= identified 18 steps
Authors combine several steps into one step

5. Scientific Research Process
Occurs always in an orderly fashion
Consists of a number of steps

6. Quantitative

7. Qualitative

8. Steps for Quantitative Research
Identify the problem
Determine the purpose of the study
Review the literature
Develop a theoretical/conceptual framework
Identify the study assumptions
Acknowledge the limitations of the study
Formulate the hypothesis or research question
Define study variables/terms

9. Steps for Quantitative Research
Select the research design
Identify the population
Select the sample
Conduct a pilot study
Collect the data
Organize the data for analysis
Analyze the data

10. Steps for Quantitative Research
Interpret the findings
Communicate the findings
Utilize the findings

11. Learning Objective 2
Discuss the steps in quantitative research

12. Identify the Problem Start with broad topic area
Narrow to specific problem statement

13. Identify the Problem Get study problem from Personal experiences
Literature sources
Prior research
Theory testing

14. Identify the Problem State problem as a question
Include population and variables

15. Concepts and Constructs
Concepts are abstractions of particular aspects of human behavior or characteristics (e.g., pain, weight).
Constructs are slightly more complex abstractions (e.g., self-care).
Theories and conceptual models knit concepts into a coherent system that purports to explain phenomena.

16. Variable
A characteristic or quality that takes on different values, i.e., that varies from one person to the next
Examples:
Blood type
Weight
Length of stay in hospital
Term “variable” is used almost exclusively in quantitative research

17. Types of Variables
Continuous (e.g. height, weight) vs. categorical (e.g., marital status, gender)
Attribute variable vs. created variable
Independent variable—the presumed cause (of a dependent variable)
Dependent variable—the presumed effect (of an independent variable)
Often referred to as the outcome variable or outcome
Example: Smoking (IV)  Lung cancer (DV)

18. Determine the Purpose Difference between purpose and problem
Problem tells what is studied
Purpose tells why study is done
Studies may have one or both

19. Review the Literature Finds out what exists on the topic
Helps look at theory/framework
Helps address the study methods

20. Review the Literature Search a variety of sources
Indexes
Abstracts
Dissertations
Computer searches
Continue until time to collect data

21. Develop a Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Research helps test, develop, refine theories
Process assists in selection of study variables
Directs the hypothesis and interprets findings
Answers the “so what” question(s)
Adds to our nursing body of knowledge

22. Identify the Study Assumptions
Assumptions are beliefs held to be true but not proven
Each research study is based upon assumptions

23. Identify the Study Assumptions
Assumptions are necessary because
Influence the questions asked
Affect the data gathered
Help with methods of data collection
Assist in the interpretation of the data

24. Three Types of Study Assumptions
Universal assumption
Theory or research assumptions
Assumptions needed to do the study
Common sense assumptions

25. Acknowledge the Limitations of the Study
Limitations are uncontrolled variables
Affect study results
Limit generalization of the findings
Extraneous variables
Explain limitations at end of study

26. Formulate Hypothesis or Research Question
Hypothesis predicts relationships between variables
Hypothesis provides predicted answer to question
Hypothesis contains two types of variables
Independent variable
Dependent variable

27. Formulate Hypothesis or Research Question
Hypothesis is testable empirically
Types of hypothesis vary
Hypothesis mostly in quantitative studies
Directional
Nondirectional
The Null hypothesis

28. Define the Study Variables/Terms
They must be clear to researcher and reader
The definitions may be
Dictionary
Theoretical
Operational
The operational definition: indicates how a variable will be observed and measured.
It includes the instrument will be used to measure the variables.

29. Select the Research Design
Helps determine how study is planned
Varies with the type of study conducted
Quantitative vs. qualitative
Experimental vs. non-experimental
Experimental may be divided
True experimental
Quasi-experimental
Pre-experimental

30. Non-experimental designs:
Survey studies
Correlational studies
Comparative studies
Methodological studies

31. Identify the Population
Is a complete set of individuals or objects that have some common characteristic of interest to the researcher.
Target or the universe: is made up of the group of people or objects to which the researcher wishes to generalize the findings of a study.
Accessible: group that actually available for study.

32. Select the Sample A subgroup of the population
It represents the population
It helps with generalization

33. Select the Sample Types of samples Voluntary aspect of participation
Probability samples: chosen by random selection process in which each member of the population has a chance of being in the sample.
Nonprobability samples
Voluntary aspect of participation
Permission secured and rights protected

34. Conduct a Pilot Study Similar in all aspects of the study
It helps examine issues
Design
Sample size
Data collection procedures
Data analysis approaches

35. Conduct a Pilot Study It helps tests/evaluates instruments
Revisions made after pilot is completed

36. Collect the Data Data are the pieces of information or facts
Data collection procedures are followed

37. Collect the Data Questions asked are What data? How is it collected?
Who collects the data?
Where is it collected?
When will it be collected?

38. Organize the Data for Analysis
This step is planned from the beginning
It uses the help of a statistician
Decisions are made about missing data

39. Analyze the Data The process is easier now
Data is placed into computerized statistical packages
Results are analyzed

40. Interpret the Findings
Do the data support the research hypothesis?
Do the data not support the research hypothesis?
Problems encountered are discussed
Limitations of the study are presented
Results are compared with other studies
Implications are identified
Recommendations are proposed

41. Communicate the Findings
A very critical component of the process
A variety of ways are used
Journals
Presentations
Posters

42. Utilize the Findings Recommendations need considerations
Integration into practice are critical components
Researcher may act as a consultant for using findings
Researcher must disseminate findings in many ways