Research Prelim Exam 1

Topic 6: Research Problem and Its Variables

is an area of concern in which there is a gap in the knowledge base needed for nursing practice.

is an area of concern in which there is a gap in the knowledge base needed for nursing practice.

A RESEARCH PROBLEM

the question or difficulty that the study seeks to solve
Clue: “what TRIGGERS”

PROBLEM

the outcome being intended

Clue: “the REASON”

PURPOSE

How do we know if the problem is researchable?

o No available answers to an existing gap

o No available solutions

o Possible answers are untested or contradictory

o A phenomenon exists which requires clarifications and explanations

“10” Sources of Research Problems

1. Field of Specialization

2. Instructional Programs

3. Reading programs. Literature sources and previous research studies

4. Organizational Structure, Policies, and Interpersonal Relationship

5. New Technologies

6. Conflicting Ideas and Ideals

7. Journals, Books, theses or dissertations, and mass media

8. Theories and Principles affecting certain phenomena

9. Problem Situations & Issues

10.Suggestions of Experts and Authorities

Criteria for Choosing a Research Problem

“EXTERNAL CRITERIA”

“INTERNAL CRITERIA”

are those (criteria) that are not researcher-determined and it includes

External Criteria

•Significance of the Problem

•Problem Researchability

•Feasibility of the Problem

those (criteria) that are determined by the researcher

INTERNAL CRITERIA

•Motivation, Intellectual Curiosity

•Experience and Training

•Time Management

•Costs and Returns

•Hazards, Handicaps

“newness” or the practical value solution which can contribute

Significance of the Problem

Nature and scope must be specific and well-defined.

Phenomenon must be observable, quantifiable and measurable.

Problem Researchability

Talks about:

Time

Availability of Subjects/Participants

Control and Support Group

Research Resources

Fiscal Resources

Capability of the Researcher

& Ethical Considerations

Feasibility of the Problem

Genuine interest and experience of the researcher

What sparked your interest to conduct the study?

Motivation, and Intellectual Curiosity of the Researcher

The researcher must have the knowledge and skills

Experience, Training, and Professional Qualifications

A study must be completed at a given time frame.

Time Management

The researcher must have the knowledge and skills

Experience, Training, and Professional Qualifications

Do I have money? What benefits can be weighed?

Costs and Returns

Can I cope intellectually, morally and materially?

Hazards, Penalties and Handicaps

Characteristics and Qualities of Research Problems

• Originality

• Significance

• Manageability

• Measurability

• Resource Availability

How can I discover and identify a problem?

basa sa ppt

1. are measurable qualities, properties, or characteristics of people, things, events or situations under study that vary from one subject to another.

2. These are assessed and measured quantitatively and qualitatively

Research Variable

They have two or more mutually exclusive values or properties that can be quantitatively and qualitatively measured

Characteristics of Variables

They are varying factors that affect the phenomenon, nursing situations or cases under study

Characteristics of Variables

They are varying qualities of people, institutions, situations or statuses

Characteristics of Variables

They can be heterogeneous when the attributes or characteristic of a group being studies are extremely varied

Characteristics of Variables

They can be heterogeneous if the attributes or characteristic of the group being studied have limited variability.

Characteristics of Variables

These are the variables of interest to the researcher.

The focus of the research which will indicate the direction of influence to what the researcher would like to discover.

EXPLANATORY VARIABLE

These are the factors that are being manipulated by the researcher and are the focus of the inquiry.

They are also called experimental, treatment, causal or stimulus variables.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

The factors that are affected or influenced by the independent variables.

They are also called criterion, effect, response, or outcome variable, which captures the interest of the researcher.

DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Factors or variables that can come between the independent and the dependent variables and can influence the effect of the former on the latter.

These are also called correlated or mediator variables.

Explains the process through which two variables are related.

INTERVENING VARIABLE

1. It’s caused by the independent variable.

2. It influences the dependent variable

3. When it’s taken into account, the statistical correlation between the independent and dependent variables is higher than when it isn’t considered.

INTERVENING VARIABLE

Variables that affect the strength or direction of the relationship between the independent and the dependent variable.

The independent variables interact with the moderator variable which makes the relationship between the independent and dependent variables stronger or weaker in regard to the different values of the moderator variable

MODERATOR VARIABLE

A type of moderator variable that determine such as ethnicity, race, religion, favorite colors, health status, or stimulus type

Categorical variables

A type of moderator variable that determine such as age, weight, height, income, or visual stimulus size

Quantitative variables

Variables which are not the direct foci of the study.

These variables are not the direct interest of the researcher and must be controlled or eliminated in order for the hypothesis to be validly tested.

EXTRANEOUS/EXOGENOUS VARIABLE

physiological, psychological, and demographic factors of the target population that could affect the outcome of the study.

ORGANISMIC VARIABLE

economic, anthropological, sociological and physical factors that influence the phenomenon under study.

ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLE

These are factors that have different values which are quantitatively measured and statistically tested through the hypotheses

Examples:

Age (values from 0 to 100)

BP (120/80 to 180/100)

ABSTRACT/CONTINUOUS VARIABLE

These are factors with only two values, used in comparative studies and specially identified in the hypotheses.

Examples:

• smoker - non-smoker

• pregnant – non-pregnant

• male – female

DICHOTOMOUS VARIABLE

These are factors which researcher creates and/or manipulates.

These variables are commonly used in experimental studies.

Example: Drug A and B effects on blood pressure

ACTIVE VARIABLE

These are pre-existing characteristics of the subjects which the researcher simply observes and measures.

These variables may or may not directly influence or affect the phenomenon under study.

Example: Age, height, weight, health belief

ATTRIBUTE VARIABLE