EBP MIDTERM

Nursing research

Systematic, logical, and empirical inquiry using rigorous methods to produce unbiased, verifiable answers about nursing practice.

Goal of nursing research

To generate new knowledge and add to the nursing profession's evidence base.

Evidence-based practice (EBP)

The integration of best research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences and values to improve patient care.

Impact of nursing research vs. EBP

Research generates new knowledge; EBP applies existing knowledge to practice for better patient outcomes.

Deductive reasoning

A top-down approach that starts with a theory and tests specific hypotheses.

Inductive reasoning

A bottom-up approach that builds general principles or theories from observations.

PICO question

A structured question format guiding research or EBP projects: Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, (Time).

Types of PICO questions

Therapy, Etiology, Diagnosis, Prognosis, Prevention, Meaning.

Sampling

Selecting a portion of a larger population to represent the whole group in a study.

Importance of sampling

It ensures representativeness and allows findings to be generalized to the target population.

Target population

The entire group the study wants to generalize to.

Accessible population

The portion of the target population the researcher can actually reach.

Sample

A subset chosen from the accessible population.

Sampling error

The difference between the sample statistic and the true population parameter.

Factors affecting sampling error

Sample size (larger = less error) and population variability (more variation = more error).

Point estimate

A single best estimate of a population value.

Interval estimate (confidence interval)

A range in which the true population value likely falls.

Narrow confidence interval

More precision and less variability.

Wide confidence interval

Less precision and greater variability.

Data collection methods

Biophysiological measures, records/data mining, structured observation, and surveys/self-reports.

Reliability

The consistency of measurement results over time, raters, or items.

Validity

The degree to which an instrument measures what it intends to measure.

Types of validity

Content validity, criterion validity, and construct validity.

Relationship between reliability and validity

A tool can be reliable without being valid, but it cannot be valid if it is not reliable.

Quantitative research

Research using numerical data to test relationships, effects, or cause-effect hypotheses.

Qualitative research

Research exploring experiences, meanings, and perceptions using words and observations.

Hierarchy of evidence

Meta-analysis, systematic review, randomized controlled trial, quasi-experimental, cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, case report, expert opinion.

Properties of a true experimental design

Randomization, manipulation, and control.

Blinding

Concealing group assignments to reduce bias (single-, double-, or triple-blind).

Allocation concealment

Preventing knowledge of upcoming group assignments before enrollment.

Intervention fidelity

Ensuring the intervention is delivered consistently as planned.

Intention-to-treat analysis

Analyzing participants in their original assigned groups regardless of completion or adherence.

Independent variable

The variable manipulated by the researcher (the cause).

Dependent variable

The variable that measures the outcome (the effect).

Quasi-experimental design

It lacks random assignment but includes an intervention.

Confounding

When a third variable affects both the independent and dependent variables.

Bias

A systematic deviation from truth that distorts study results.

Strengths of quasi-experimental designs

Practical, ethical, and adaptable to real-world settings.

Weaknesses of quasi-experimental designs

Less control and higher risk of confounding and bias.

Observational design

A study where the researcher observes without manipulating variables.

Difference between observational and experimental design

No manipulation or randomization; focuses on associations, not causation.

Main types of observational studies

Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional.

Cohort study

Measures exposure before outcome to assess incidence or risk (prospective or retrospective).

Case-control study

Identifies past exposures after outcome occurrence to find risk factors (retrospective).

Cross-sectional study

Examines exposure and outcome at the same time to measure prevalence.

Internal validity

The degree to which observed changes in the DV are truly caused by the IV.

External validity

The generalizability of results to other populations or settings.

Systematic review

A comprehensive synthesis of all available studies on a specific research question using rigorous, transparent methods.

Meta-analysis

A statistical method that combines quantitative results from multiple studies to produce a single overall effect.

Forest plot interpretation

If the diamond crosses the line of no effect, results are not significant; if it doesn't, they are statistically significant.

Levels of measurement

Nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.

Confidence interval

A range that likely contains the true population value (commonly 95% CI).

Type I error

Rejecting a true null hypothesis (false positive).

Type II error

Failing to reject a false null hypothesis (false negative).

Alpha level for Type I error

Typically 0.05 (5%).

Statistical significance

Indicates that results are unlikely due to chance (p < 0.05).

Clinical significance

Indicates whether results have real-world, meaningful impact.

Power in inferential statistics

The probability of detecting a true effect (1 - β), ideally ≥ 0.80.

Emergent design

A flexible research plan that evolves as data collection continues.

Reflexivity

Researcher self-awareness of bias and influence on interpretation.

Purposive sampling

Selecting participants who best represent or inform the phenomenon of interest.

Data saturation

The point at which no new data or themes emerge.

Triangulation

Using multiple sources, methods, or researchers to verify results.

Memoing

Writing notes to capture analytical insights during data analysis.

Bracketing

Setting aside researcher preconceptions to prevent bias.

Coding

Organizing data into categories or themes for analysis.

Phenomenology

Explores the essence of lived experiences among several individuals.

Grounded theory

Generates a theory from data collected in the field about a process or interaction.

Ethnography

Describes and interprets shared cultural patterns in a group.

Narrative study

Explores and retells stories of individual experiences.

Case study

Provides an in-depth description and analysis of a specific case or situation.

Trustworthiness criteria in qualitative research

Credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability.