Research lecture mod 2

Introduction to Research Terminology

  • Differentiation in Terminology

    • Participant: term used in qualitative research

    • Subject: term used in quantitative research

    • Informant/Key Informant: terms unique to qualitative research

  • Common Nomenclature

    • Researcher/Investigator: the individual conducting the study

Types of Research and Their Characteristics

  • Investigating Concepts

    • Qualitative: refers to phenomena

    • Quantitative: refers to constructs or variables

  • Information Gathering

    • Quantitative: focuses on numerical data (think quantity)

    • Qualitative: focuses on narrative descriptions (think quality)

Concept Relationships in Research

  • Quantitative: examines relationships between variables

  • Qualitative: identifies patterns of association

Reasoning Approaches in Research

  • Deductive Reasoning

    • Defined Rule: applies a rule to specific instances (e.g., hypothesis testing)

    • Example: If sleep hygiene education improves sleep, deduce its effect through quantitative testing.

  • Inductive Reasoning

    • Gathering Information: starts with observations then develops hypotheses

    • Example: Qualitative interviews on sleep difficulties leading to hypothesizing that reducing nighttime interruptions improves sleep.

Practice Question on Research Methodology

  • Example: A nurse researcher conducting a quantitative study would refer to participants as subjects (Answer: B).

Concepts vs Constructs

  • Concepts: believed to measure characteristics (e.g., pain, weight) in either qualitative or quantitative research.

  • Constructs: associated with quantitative research, more complex and abstract (e.g., self-care, burnout, impostor syndrome).

Theory

  • Definition: Systematic explanations connecting concepts to explain phenomena.

  • Use of Theories: Support, reject, or modify them in research.

  • Qualitative Research: May yield theories as a product of research, conceptual frameworks guide inquiry.

Definitions Related to Variables

  • Variable: A characteristic that can vary; contrasted with a constant (e.g., weight).

  • Types of Variables:

    • Independent Variable: presumed cause (e.g., smoking in lung cancer studies).

    • Dependent Variable: presumed effect (e.g., lung cancer being affected by smoking).

    • Inherent Variables: exist naturally (e.g., eye color).

    • Created Variables: constructed from raw data (e.g., BMI).

Conceptual vs Operational Definitions

  • Conceptual Definition: Abstract meaning (e.g., amount an object weighs = weight).

  • Operational Definition: Specific measurement methods (e.g., weight determined by a digital scale after fasting).

    • Example: Operationally defining breastfeeding self-efficacy by using a specific scale.

Data in Research

  • Data Types:

    • Quantitative Data: Numeric data (e.g., scores on a scale). Examples include ranks 0-10.

    • Qualitative Data: Narrative data (e.g., participant quotes).

Relationships in Research

  • Definition: How concepts or variables connect.

  • Types of Relationships:

    • Causal Relationships: Direct cause-effect connections.

    • Associational Relationships: Correlation without causation, e.g., ice cream sales and drowning rates.

Overview of Quantitative Research

  • Types:

    • Experimental: Researchers introduce intervention (clinical trials).

    • Non-experimental: Observations without interventions.

Overview of Qualitative Research Approaches

  1. Grounded Theory: Understanding social psychological processes, central to solving social problems.

  2. Phenomenology: Examining lived experiences and meanings.

  3. Ethnography: Studying cultural groups through immersive methods.

Steps in Quantitative Research

  1. Conceptualization: Develop a precise research question.

  2. Literature Review: Analyze existing research to inform new studies.

  3. Clinical Field Work: Understand context in which research is being conducted.

  4. Define Framework/Concepts: Identify key concepts involved in the study.

  5. Hypotheses Formulation: Predictions about relationships.

  6. Design and Plan: Select research design, develop protocols, and collect population data.

  7. Conduct Research: Collect data, prepare for analysis.

  8. Data Analysis: Apply statistical methods to test hypotheses.

  9. Interpret Results: Assess what findings mean for practice.

  10. Dissemination: Share research findings with broader community.

Phases of Qualitative Research

  • Less linear than quantitative, includes conceptualization, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

Important Research Terminology

  • Research Problem: issue thought to be problematic or worthy of investigation.

  • Problem Statement: articulated presentation defining the problem.

  • Statement of Purpose: outlines the aim of the research study.

  • Research Questions: specific queries guiding the investigation.

  • Hypotheses: predictions regarding the relationships between variables.

Guidelines for Evaluating Research Components

  • Clarity in problem statement and significance to nursing.

  • Appropriateness of selected hypotheses, questions, and purpose statements in relation to the study design.