Nursing Research

Flashcards covering data sources, ethics, consent, research designs, reasoning, and genetic symbols based on the provided notes.

What defines a primary data source?

The research from which the data originated; primary sources are factual and not subject to interpretation by others.

What defines a secondary data source?

Created when the original data (primary data) are interpreted or analyzed by someone other than the original researcher; a secondhand account.

What is the primary duty of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)?

To ensure the rights, safety, and welfare of human research subjects and to approve or reject research proposals submitted to their institution.

If an IRB member has a conflict of interest, what must they do?

Recuse themselves from deliberation and abstain from voting.

Who typically comprises an IRB committee?

Affiliated with the institution; physicians, clinicians, or pharmacists who are part of the institution; experienced staff; size varies by institution; outsiders usually not included unless hired as consultants.

Name some vulnerable populations requiring special protections in research.

Infants and children under 18; pregnant patients; fetuses; prisoners; refugees/ethnic minorities; persons with mental or physical disabilities or impairments; economically disadvantaged individuals.

What is the Belmont Report and when was it issued?

A foundational document outlining ethical principles for research involving human subjects; issued in 1979 by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research.

What was the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment and why is it significant?

A 1932–1972 study of 600 African American sharecroppers in Alabama who were not informed or treated when infected; led to laws protecting human subjects’ rights and informed consent.

What are the basic requirements of informed consent?

Subjects must be informed of their right to withdraw; describe the study, risks, benefits, and alternatives; allow questions; discuss compensation; confidentiality; provide contact information.

What additional considerations are there for minors and vulnerable subjects in informed consent?

Special protections and consent/assent procedures; emancipated minor criteria include legal emancipation, active duty, or legally binding marriage.

What is the difference between consent and assent in research participation?

Consent is given by adults 18+, while assent is given by minors 7–17 (not emancipated); parents/guardians provide consent; assent requires a separate assent form.

What are emancipated minor criteria in research consent?

Legal court emancipation; active duty in the U.S. military; legally binding marriage (or divorce from a marriage).

What does statistical significance refer to in hypothesis testing?

The probability results are due to chance, indicated by the p-value; common thresholds are p < .05 or p < .01; lower p-values indicate stronger evidence against the null.

What is a control group?

Subjects in an experiment who do not receive the treatment or intervention being tested.

What do N and n represent in statistics?

N = total population size; n = number of subjects in a subpopulation.

What is the significance level (alpha) in hypothesis testing?

The threshold for statistical significance (often p < .05 or p < .01) used to decide whether to reject the null hypothesis.

What is an independent variable?

The variable that is manipulated by the researcher to influence the dependent variable.

What is a dependent variable?

The outcome measured after manipulating the independent variable.

What is a hypothesis in research?

A testable idea or educated guess that can be accepted or refuted based on data.

What is the null hypothesis (H0)?

The opposite of the hypothesis being tested; if data meet the significance threshold, H0 is rejected; if not, it is not rejected.

What is a normal curve?

A bell-shaped distribution of data.

What are mean, median, and mode?

Mean = average; median = middle value; mode = most frequently occurring value.

What is range in a data set?

The difference between the largest and smallest values.

What are prospective studies?

Studies done in the present to observe future outcomes; longitudinal studies are a type that collect data now and measure later.

What are retrospective (ex post facto) studies?

Studies of events that have already occurred, often via chart reviews or recall.

What is a longitudinal study?

Long-term follow-up of the same group (cohort) over years to observe and compare variables; typically observational with no manipulation.

What is a cohort study?

A study of groups sharing a common characteristic; used to study causative or risk factors; example Nurses’ Health Study.

What is a cross-sectional study?

A study that compares differences or similarities between two or more groups at a single point in time.

What is a case study in research?

An in-depth investigation of a single person, group, or phenomenon.

What is descriptive (observational) research?

Researchers observe and collect information without manipulating the environment; also called observational studies.

What is a correlational study?

Assesses the relationship between at least two variables; three types: positive, negative, and no correlation.

What defines an experimental study design?

Random sampling and random assignment; at least one control group and one treatment group; enables determination of causality.

What distinguishes a quasi-experimental design?

Similar to experimental design but without randomization; subjects recruited by convenience sample.

What is deductive reasoning in research?

Top-down logic: start with a theory and formulate hypotheses; used in quantitative studies.

What is inductive reasoning in research?

Bottom-up logic: start with specific observations to develop generalizations; used in qualitative studies.

What data and characteristics define qualitative studies?

Data are words/narratives; few subjects; non-randomized; in-depth interviews, focus groups, observations; inductive reasoning; themes; limited statistics; researcher may be a participant.

What data and characteristics define quantitative studies?

Data are numerical; large samples; randomization possible; instruments and measurements; deductive reasoning; statistical tests; objective observer who declares bias.

What are the five phases of the research process?

Phase I—Conception; Phase II—Design and Planning; Phase III—Implementation; Phase IV—Analysis; Phase V—Dissemination.

What are human genetic symbols used to represent health status?

Healthy male: empty square; diseased male: filled square; healthy female: empty circle; diseased female: filled circle.

How is death represented in human genetic symbols?

Death is shown by a diagonal slash across the symbol.