Chapter 3 Generating Evidence Key Concepts and Steps

Key Terms Used in Quantitative and Qualitative Research Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health

Variable A characteristic or quality that takes on different values, i. e. , something

Types of Variables • Continuous (e. g. , height) • Discrete (e. g. ,

Types of Variables (cont’d) Independent variable—the presumed cause (of a dependent variable) Dependent variable—the

Definitions of Concepts and Variables • Conceptual definition: the abstract or theoretical meaning of

Relationships Relationship: a bond or connection between variables • Cause-and-effect (causal) relationship (e. g.

Major Classes of Quantitative Research Experimental research Researchers actively introduce an intervention or treatment

Major Research Traditions in Qualitative Research • Grounded theory research • Phenomenological research •

Major Steps in a Quantitative Study 1. Formulating the problem 2. Reviewing related literature

Major Steps in a Quantitative Study (cont’d) 6. Selecting a research design 7. Developing

Major Steps in a Quantitative Study (cont’d) 10. Specifying methods to measure research variables

Major Steps in a Quantitative Study (cont’d) 13. Collecting data 14. Preparing data for

Major Steps in a Quantitative Study (cont’d) 17. Communicating the findings 18. Utilizing findings

Activities in a Qualitative Study 1. Conceptualizing and planning the study 2. Conducting the

Research Journal Articles Summarize the context, design, and results of a study; the primary

Content of Journal Articles • Abstract • Introduction • Methodology • Results • Discussion

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Variable A characteristic or quality that takes on different values, i. e. , something that varies from one person to the next Examples: – Blood type – Weight – Length of stay in hospital Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Types of Variables • Continuous (e. g. , height) • Discrete (e. g. , number of children) • Categorical (e. g. , marital status) • Dichotomous (e. g. , gender) • Attribute variable vs. Active variable Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Types of Variables (cont’d) Independent variable—the presumed cause (of a dependent variable) Dependent variable—the presumed effect (of an independent variable) Example: Smoking (IV) Lung cancer (DV) Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Definitions of Concepts and Variables • Conceptual definition: the abstract or theoretical meaning of a concept being studied • Operational definition: the operations (measurements) a researcher must perform to collect the desired information Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Relationships Relationship: a bond or connection between variables • Cause-and-effect (causal) relationship (e. g. , cigarette smoking and lung cancer) • Functional (associative) relationship (e. g. , gender and life expectancy) Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Major Classes of Quantitative Research Experimental research Researchers actively introduce an intervention or treatment Nonexperimental research Researchers collect data without intervening or introducing treatments Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Major Steps in a Quantitative Study 1. Formulating the problem 2. Reviewing related literature 3. Undertaking clinical fieldwork 4. Defining the framework and developing conceptual definitions 5. Formulating hypotheses Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Major Steps in a Quantitative Study (cont’d) 6. Selecting a research design 7. Developing intervention protocols 8. Identifying the population 9. Designing the sample plan Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Major Steps in a Quantitative Study (cont’d) 10. Specifying methods to measure research variables and collect data 11. Developing methods to protect human/animal rights 12. Finalizing and reviewing the research plan Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Major Steps in a Quantitative Study (cont’d) 13. Collecting data 14. Preparing data for analysis 15. Analyzing the data 16. Interpreting results Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Research Journal Articles Summarize the context, design, and results of a study; the primary method of disseminating research evidence Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins