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Assumption (ch 1)

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principle that is believed to be true without verification

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Cause-probing research (ch 1)

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-studies designed to illuminate the underlying causes of phenomena. - -Constructivist researchers emphasize understanding human experience as it is lived through the collection and analysis of subjective, narrative materials using flexible procedures; this paradigm is associated with quatitative research.

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Clinical nursing research (ch 1)

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research designed to guide nursing practice. Clinical nursing research typically begins with questions stemming from practice problems—problems you may have already encountered.

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Constructivist paradigm (ch 1)

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(sometimes called the naturalistic paradigm) began as a countermovement to positivism with writers such as Weber and Kant. The constructivist paradigm is a major alternative system for conducting research in nursing.

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Empirical evidence (ch 1)

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Quantitative researchers base their findings on empirical evidence (evidence collected by way of the human senses) and strive for generalizability beyond a single setting or situation.

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Evidence-based practice (ch 1)

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Nurses are increasingly expected to understand and undertake research, and to base their practice on evidence from research—that is, to adopt an evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP, broadly defined, is the use of the best evidence in making patient care decisions, and such evidence typically comes from research conducted by nurses and other health care professionals.

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Generalizability (ch 1)

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the ability to generalize research findings to individuals other than those who took part in the study (referred to as generalizability) is an important goal

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Paradigm (ch 1)

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Disciplined inquiry in nursing is conducted mainly within two broad paradigms—world views with underlying assumptions about reality: the positivist paradigm and the constructivist paradigm.

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Positivist paradigm (ch 1)

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much research activity is aimed at understanding the underlying causes of natural phenomena. Because of their belief in objective reality, positivists prize objectivity. Their approach involves the use of orderly, disciplined procedures with tight controls over the research situation to test hunches about the nature of phenomena being studied and relationships among them -associated with positivism) involves the collection and analysis of numeric information. Quantitative research is typically conducted within the traditional scientific method, which is systematic and controlled. Quantitative researchers base their findings on empirical evidence (evidence collected by way of the human senses) and strive for generalizability beyond a single setting or situation.

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Qualitative research (ch 1)

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- associated with constructivist inquiry (Polit 8) - Constructivist researchers emphasize understanding human experience as it is lived through the collection and analysis of subjective, narrative materials using flexible procedures; this paradigm is associated with qualitative research.

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Quantitative research (ch 1)

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most closely allied with positivism. Evidence that is rooted in objective reality and gathered directly or indirectly through the senses rather than through personal beliefs or hunches.

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Research methods (ch 1)

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The techniques researchers use to structure a study and to gather and analyze relevant information.

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Scientific method (ch 1)

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Quantitative research is typically conducted within the traditional scientific method, which is systematic and controlled.

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Systematic review (ch 1)

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cornerstone of EBP and have assumed increasing importance in all health disciplines. Systematic reviews rigorously integrate research information on a topic so that conclusions about the state of evidence can be reached.

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Cause-and-effect (causal) relationship (ch 3)

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Within the positivist paradigm, natural phenomena are assumed to have antecedent causes that are discoverable.

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Clinical trial Concept (ch 3)

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In medical and epidemiological research, experimental studies usually are called clinical trials (pg 47)

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Conceptual definition (ch 3)

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refers to an abstraction, but often one that is deliberately invented (or constructed). (pg 42/ 44)

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Construct (ch 3)

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refers to an abstraction, but often one that is deliberately invented (or constructed). (Pg 42)

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Data (ch 3)

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(singular, datum) are the pieces of information gathered in a study.

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Dependent Variable (ch 3)

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the presumed effect. In terms of the PICO scheme discussed in Chapter 2, the dependent variable corresponds to the "O" (outcome). (pg 43)

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Emergent design (ch 3)

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a design that emerges during the course of data collection done by qualitative researchers (pg 54)

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Ethnography (ch 3)

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Ethnography, the primary research tradition in anthropology, provides a framework for studying the patterns, lifeways, and experiences of a defined cultural group in a holistic fashion. Ethnographers typically engage in extensive fieldwork, often participating to the extent possible in the life of the culture under study. Ethnographers strive to learn from members of a cultural group, to understand their world view, and to describe their customs and norms. (pg 49)

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Experimental research (ch 3)

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researchers actively introduce an intervention or treatment—most often, to address therapy questions. (pg 47)

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Gaining entree (ch 3)

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Before going into the field, qualitative researchers must identify an appropriate site. In some cases, researchers may have access to the selected site, but in others they need to gain entrée into it. Gaining entrée typically involves negotiations with gatekeepers who have the authority to permit entry into their world. (pg 54)

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Grounded theory (ch 3)

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seeks to describe and understand the key social psychological processes that occur in a social setting. Grounded theory was developed in the 1960s by two sociologists, Glaser and Strauss (1967). The focus of most grounded theory studies is on a developing social experience—the social and psychological phases that characterize a particular event or episode. A major component of grounded theory is the discovery of a core variable that is central in explaining what is going on in that social scene. -Grounded theory researchers strive to generate explanations of phenomena that are grounded in reality. (pg 48)

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Hypothesis (ch 3)

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state researchers' deductively derived expectations about relationships between study variables. Hypotheses are predictions of the relationships researchers expect to observe in the study data. (pg 50)

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Independent variable (ch 3)

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The presumed cause. The independent variable corresponds to the "I" (the intervention, influence, or exposure), plus the "C" (the comparison). (pg 43)

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Informant (ch 3)

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In a qualitative study, the people cooperating in the study are called study participants or informants. (p 41)

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Intervention protocol (ch 3)

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An intervention protocol for the study must be developed, specifying exactly what the intervention will entail (e.g., who would administer it, how frequently and over how long a period the treatment would last, and so on) and what the alternative condition would be. In nonexperimental research, this step is not necessary. (pg 51)

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Literature review (ch 3)

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Quantitative researchers typically strive to understand what is already known about a topic by undertaking a thorough literature review before any data are collected. (pg 49)

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Non experimental research (ch 3)

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researchers are bystanders—they collect data without introducing treatments or making changes (most often, to address etiology, prognosis, or diagnosis questions). (pg 47)

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Observational research (ch 3)

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In medical and epidemiological research and nonexperimental inquiries are called observational studies. (pg 47)

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Operational definition (ch 3)

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indicates what the researchers specifically must do to measure the concept and collect needed information. (pg 44)

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Outcome variable (ch 3)

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the presumed effect is the dependent or outcome variable. In terms of the PICO scheme discussed in Chapter 2, the dependent variable corresponds to the "O" (outcome). (pg 43)

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Phenomenology (ch 3)

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In qualitative studies, researchers collect primarily qualitative data, that is, narrative descriptions. Narrative data can be obtained by conversing with participants, by making notes about their behavior in naturalistic settings, or by obtaining narrative records, such as diaries. (pg 45)

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Qualitative data (ch 3)

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In qualitative studies, researchers collect primarily qualitative data, that is, narrative descriptions. Narrative data can be obtained by conversing with participants, by making notes about their behavior in naturalistic settings, or by obtaining narrative records, such as diaries. (pg 45)

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Quantitative data (ch 3)

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The actual values of the study variables constitute the data. Quantitative researchers collect primarily quantitative data information in numeric form. (pg 45)

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Relationship (ch 3)

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a bond or connection between two or more phenomena; for example, researchers repeatedly have found that there is a relationship between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. Qualitative and quantitative studies examine relationships in different ways. (pg 46)

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Research design (ch 3)

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the overall plan for obtaining answers to the research questions and for handling challenges that can undermine the study evidence. Quantitative research designs tend to be highly structured and controlled, with the goal of minimizing bias. Research designs also indicate other aspects of the research—for example, how often data will be collected, what types of comparisons will be made, and where the study will take place. The research design is the architectural backbone of the study. (pg 51)

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Sample (ch 3)

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Researchers typically collect data from a sample, which is a subset of the population. Using samples is more practical than collecting data from an entire population, but the risk is that the sample might not adequately reflect the population's traits. (pg 51)

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Saturation (ch 3)

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Many qualitative researchers use the principle of saturation, which occurs when themes and categories in the data become repetitive and redundant, such that no new information can be gleaned by further data collection. (pg 55)

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Statistical analysis (ch 3)

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To answer research questions and test hypotheses, researchers analyze their data in an orderly fashion. Quantitative data are analyzed through statistical analyses, which include some simple procedures (e.g., computing an average) as well as more complex, sophisticated methods. (pg 52)

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Study Participant (ch 3)

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in a quantitative study, the people being studied are called subjects or study participants (p 41)

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Theme (ch 3)

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Through an inductive reasoning process, researchers begin to identify themes and categories, which are used to build a rich description or theory of the phenomenon. (pg 54, 55)

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Variable (ch 3)

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In quantitative studies, concepts are usually called variables. A variable, as the name implies, is something that varies. Weight, anxiety, and fatigue are all variables—they vary from one person to another. Most human characteristics are variables. (pg 42)

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Abstract (ch 4)

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a brief description of the study placed at the beginning of the article. (p 62)

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Bias (ch 4)

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an influence that results in an error in an inference or estimate. Biases can affect the quality of evidence in both qualitative and quantitative studies. Bias can result from various factors, including study participants' lack of candor or desire to please, researchers' preconceptions, or faulty methods of collecting data. Bias can never be avoided totally because the potential for its occurrence is so pervasive. (p 73)

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Blinding (ch 4)

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aka masking. Used in some quantitative studies to prevent biases stemming from people's awareness. Blinding involves concealing information from participants, data collectors, care providers, or data analysts to enhance objectivity. "bias-reducing strategy" (p 74)

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Confounding variable (ch 4)

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aka contaminating factors or extraneous variables. can adversely affect the relation between the independent variable and dependent variable. This may cause the researcher to analyze the results incorrectly. (p 73)

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Credibility (ch 4)

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an especially important aspect of trustworthiness. Credibility is achieved to the extent that the research methods inspire confidence that the results and interpretations are truthful and accurate. (p 72)

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Critique (ch 4)

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An objective assessment of a study's strengths and limitations. Critiques usually conclude with the reviewer's summary of the study's merits, recommendations regarding the value of the evidence, and suggestions about improving the study or the report. ( p 67)

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Findings (ch 4)

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The results section presents the findings that were obtained by analyzing the study data. (p 63)

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IMRAD format (ch 4)

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Many research articles follow a conventional organization called the IMRAD format. This format organizes content into four main sections—Introduction, Method, Results, and Discussion. (p 62)

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Inference (ch 4)

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a conclusion drawn from the study evidence using logical reasoning and taking into account the methods used to generate that evidence. (p 71)

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Journal Article (ch 4)

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Research journal articles are descriptions of studies published in professional journals. (p 61)

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Level of significance (ch 4)

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Researchers reports also indicate the level of significance, which is an index of how probable it is that the findings are reliable. (p 64)

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p (ch 4)

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-Be alert to p values (probabilities) when reading statistical results. If a p value is >.05 (e.g., p = .08), the results are not statistically significant, by convention. Also, be aware that results are more reliable if the p value is smaller. (p 64) -Statistical significance or p value. Confidence findings are true. Lower the p value, the greater the significance (.05 is usually minimum) " 5 times out of 100 these findings are false, 95 times true". Remember all statistical data is up for interpretation. (leo notes)

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Placebo (ch 4)

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-For example, if study participants are aware of whether they are getting an experimental drug or a sham drug (a placebo), then their outcomes could be influenced by their expectations of the new drug's efficacy. (p 65) - a harmless pill, medicine, or procedure prescribed more for the psychological benefit to the patient than for any physiological effect. (from www)

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Randomness (ch 4)

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For quantitative researchers, a powerful tool for eliminating bias involves randomness— having certain features of the study established by chance rather than by design or researcher preference. "bias-reducing strategy" (p 74)

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Reflexivity (ch 4)

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the process of reflecting critically on the self, and of analyzing and making note of personal values that could affect data collection and interpretation. Reflexivity can be a useful tool in quantitative as well as qualitative research (p 75)

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Reliability (ch 4)

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refers to the accuracy and consistency of information obtained in a study. The term is most often associated with the methods used to measure variables. (p 72)

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Research Control (ch 4)

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usually involves holding constant influences on the outcome variable so that the true relationship between the independent and outcome variables can be understood. In other words, research control attempts to eliminate contaminating factors that might cloud the relationship between the variables that are of central interest. (p 73)

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Scientific merit (ch 4)

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Quantitative researchers use several criteria to assess the quality of a study, sometimes referred to as its scientific merit. Two especially important criteria are reliability and validity. (p 72)

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Statistical test (ch 4)

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Researchers use statistical tests to test their hypotheses and assess the probability that the results are accurate. (p 63)

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Transferability (ch 4)

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the extent to which qualitative findings can be transferred to other settings, as another aspect of trustworthiness. An important mechanism for promoting transferability is the amount of rich descriptive information qualitative researchers provide about the contexts of their studies. (p 75)

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Triangulation (ch 4)

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the use of multiple sources or referents to draw conclusions about what constitutes the truth. In a quantitative study, this might mean having two ways to measure a dependent variable, to assess whether predicted effects are consistent. In a qualitative study, triangulation might involve efforts to understand the complexity of a phenomenon by using multiple data collection methods to converge on the truth (e.g., having in-depth discussions with participants, as well as watching their behavior in natural settings). (p 72)

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Trustworthiness (ch 4)

answer

in general, qualitative researchers discuss methods of enhancing the trustworthiness of the study's data and findings. Trustworthiness encompasses several different dimensions—credibility, transferability, confirmability, dependability, and authenticity (p 72)

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Validity (ch 4)

answer

a more complex concept that broadly concerns the soundness of the study's evidence (p 72)

Nursing Research-Exam 1- Key terms Ch’s 1, 3, 4 – Flashcards

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