Chapter 5 Research Problems Purposes and Hypotheses Copyright

What Is a Research Problem? Area of concern in which there is a gap in knowledge needed for practice Significance: current, important area of concern for profession Background: one or two key studies that have been conducted related to problem Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 2

Sources of Research Problems Nursing practice Researcher and peer interaction Literature review Theory Research

Problem Statement Justification of need Current Significance for nursing Clear, concise statement Goal, aim, focus, or objective of study Includes variables, population, and setting Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 4

Purpose of Study To describe. . . To determine differences between groups. . . To examine relationships among. . . To determine the effect of. . . Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 5

Examining Study Feasibility Time commitment Money commitment Researchers’ expertise Availability of subjects, facility, and equipment Ethical considerations Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 6

Qualitative Study Purpose Identifies areas of concern Gains new insights Is focus of study Identifies qualitative approach and assumptions Differs among each qualitative methodology because of philosophical orientations Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 7

Problems and Purposes in Outcomes Research Should refine or generate relevant knowledge for nursing practice Usually evidence based Measurable by nature Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 8

Significance of Study Problem and Purpose Should build on previous research Should influence nursing practice Promotes theory testing or development Addresses nursing research priorities Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 9

Feasibility of Problem and Purpose Researcher expertise Money commitment/funding source Time commitment Availability of subjects, facilities, and equipment Ethical considerations Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 10

Critiquing Guidelines for Problems and Purposes Is problem clear and concise? Is problem limited in scope? Is problem narrow to focus study? Does problem identify variables, population, and setting? Are problem and purpose able to generate knowledge? Is study feasible? Is study ethical? Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 11

Research Objectives, Questions, and Hypotheses Research Objectives: Declarative statements that focus on identification and description of variables or concepts and sometimes on determination of relationships of variables Research Questions: Interrogative statements that focus on which variables or concepts are to be described and the relationships that might exist among them Hypotheses: Formal statements of expected relationships among variables Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 12

Types of Hypotheses Associative vs. causal Simple vs. complex Nondirectional vs. directional Null vs.

Associative vs. Causal Hypotheses Associative: relationship between variables Causal: cause-and-effect relationship between variables Group differences Ø Ø Naturally occurring Researcher controlled Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 14

Nondirectional vs. Directional Hypotheses Nondirectional hypothesis: Relationship exists between variables, but hypothesis does not predict nature of relationship Directional hypothesis: Nature (positive or negative) of interaction between two or more variables is stated Ø These are developed from theoretical framework, literature, or clinical practice. Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 15

Null vs. Research Hypotheses Null hypothesis: States there is no difference or relationship between variables; also called statistical hypothesis Research hypothesis: States what researcher thinks is true; there is a relationship between two or more variables Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 16

Testable Hypothesis This hypothesis is clearly stated without the phrase “There is no significant difference. ” This should be testable in real world. Variables are measurable or able to be manipulated. Relationship between variables is either supported or not supported. Causal link between independent and dependent variables is evaluated using statistical tests. Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 17

Test Yourself: What Types of Hypotheses Are These? Rates of use of health care facilities by ethnic minorities are higher in facilities with bilingual health care staff. There is a positive relationship between nurse attitudes toward AIDS patients and number of AIDS patients for whom they have cared. Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 18

Test Yourself: What Types of Hypotheses Are These? (cont’d) There is a relationship between social distance in families and burden of caregiving for chronically ill adults. There is no difference between attitudes of men and women toward caring for people with AIDS. Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 19

What Are Variables? Qualities, properties, or characteristics of people, things, or situations that are manipulated or measured in research Variables are measurable with instruments and/or intensity scales. Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 20

Characteristics of Variables Are at a more concrete level than concepts Represent only a portion of the concept Several variables may be used to represent one concept. Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 21

Types of Variables Independent variables Dependent variables Research variables or concepts Extraneous variables Demographic

Independent Variable An independent variable is the stimulus or activity manipulated or varied by the research to cause an effect on dependent variables. It is also called the treatment or experimental variables. The independent variable causes the dependent variable to change. The independent variable does not change—it is controlled by the researcher. Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 23

Dependent Variable The dependent variable is the outcome or response the researcher wants to predict or explain. Changes in the dependent variable are presumed to be caused by the independent variable. Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 24

Research Variable or Concept These are the qualities, properties, or characteristics identified in the research purpose and objectives or questions that are observed or measured in a study. They are used when the intent is to observe or measure variables as they exist in a natural setting without manipulation. Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 25

Extraneous Variables They can interfere with obtaining clear understanding of relational or causal dynamics in the study. They can be recognized or unrecognized and controlled or uncontrolled. If the variable is not recognized until the study is in process or cannot be controlled, it is called a confounding variable. An environmental variable is an uncontrolled variable relating to the setting. Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 26

Demographic Variables Contain sample characteristics of subjects May include age, education, gender, ethnic origin, income, medical diagnosis, geographic location, etc. Demographic data are analyzed to develop sample characteristics. Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 27

Operationalization Definition: translating downward to more concrete level Moves from concept to variable to measures Framework to guide data collection and research outcome interpretation Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 28

Operationalizing Variables Conceptual definition Ø Abstract meaning of a variable that usually is based on theory Operational definition Ø Way of defining a variable that makes it measurable or manipulable in real world Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 29

Steps of Operationalization Identify variables used to represent concepts in framework Develop operational definitions for each variable. Ø Ø Indicates method of measurement or observation Must be consistent with conceptual definition Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 30

Critiquing Study Variables Are independent, or research variables clearly identified in study? Are variables measured in study consistent with variables identified in the purpose, questions, or hypotheses? Are variables reflective of the study framework? Are variables clearly defined both conceptually and operationally? Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 31

Critiquing Study Variables (cont’d) Is the conceptual definition consistent with operational definition? Are demographic variables summarized? Were extraneous variables identified and controlled as necessary in the study? Did any uncontrolled extraneous variables influence the findings? Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 32