Quanti Revisions

Question 1

What is the main focus of quantitative research in nursing and healthcare?

Answer 1

To test important theories, such as the effects of new drugs and treatments on patients using randomised controlled trials (RCTs)

Quantitative research can provide vital information regarding side effects and effectiveness of new drugs on large sample populations.

Question 2

What are the strengths of quantitative research?

Answer 2

• Strong scientific nature
• Rigorous methodology
• Can prove or disprove theories
• Cost-effective for gauging mass opinion
• High level of reliability
• Provides large amounts of understandable information

Quantitative research is often preferred by hospital managers or government for policy changes.

Question 3

What are the weaknesses of quantitative research?

Answer 3

• Rigid approach
• Inappropriate for measuring complex human emotions
• Human behavior is unpredictable
• Findings may lack meaning for nurses

Nursing care is often humanistic and individualized.

Question 4

Define discrete data.

Answer 4

Data that can only take certain numerical values

Examples include the number of people in a place or the number of accidents in a day.

Question 5

Define continuous data.

Answer 5

Data that can take any numerical values within a prescribed range

Examples include height of a person or weight of luggage.

Question 6

What is convenience sampling?

Answer 6

A non-probability sampling method where data/sample is obtained from convenient sources

Advantages include cost-effectiveness and easy availability, while disadvantages include non-generalizability of findings.

Question 7

What is purposive sampling?

Answer 7

A non-probability sampling method where the researcher makes judgments on which sources will provide the most relevant data

This method is associated with high levels of bias.

Question 8

What is the difference between a null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis?

Answer 8

• Null hypothesis (H0): states no difference or effect
• Alternative hypothesis (H1): states there is a difference or effect

The null hypothesis is what is being tested.

Question 9

What does a T-test compare?

Answer 9

It compares two numerical variables to test whether they are drawn from distributions with different means

Assumes normal distribution and equal variance in samples.

Question 10

What is the purpose of descriptive statistics?

Answer 10

To provide a preliminary indication of trends and associations in the data

It helps to summarize categorical and numerical data.

Question 11

What is a boxplot?

Answer 11

A graphical representation that indicates central tendency (median) and dispersion (range) of data

It also indicates potential outliers.

Question 12

What is the significance of a p-value in hypothesis testing?

Answer 12

It indicates the probability that results were obtained by chance

If p-value < 0.05, the null hypothesis is rejected.

Question 13

What is the central tendency?

Answer 13

An indication of the ‘centre point/tendency’ of a given quantitative variable

Can be expressed in terms of mean, median, or mode.

Question 14

What is the role of a literature review in research?

Answer 14

To explain the importance of the study, previous research, and its contribution to the field

It impacts the reliability and validity of findings.

Question 15

What is the difference between surveys and polls?

Answer 15

• Poll: single question
• Survey: multiple questions

Surveys provide more insights, while polls are quicker to answer.

Question 16

What is sampling bias?

Answer 16

Bias that occurs when certain individuals are more likely to be included in the sample than others

Examples include convenience bias and non-response bias.

Question 17

What is systematic random sampling?

Answer 17

A probability sampling method where individuals are selected based on a logical rule, such as every nth individual

It aims to create a representative sample.

Question 18

Define normal or Gaussian distribution.

Answer 18

A probability distribution that is symmetric about the mean, forming a bell curve

Most data points lie close to the mean.

Question 19

What does the range measure in statistics?

Answer 19

The difference between the highest and lowest values in a dataset

It is a measure of dispersion.

Question 20

What is the purpose of the research question?

Answer 20

To formally define the focus of research and guide data collection, sampling, and analysis

It should be specific and concise.

Question 21

What are the main components of critiquing a study’s methodology?

Answer 21

• Design of study
• Type of approach (quantitative, qualitative, mixed)
• Data collection method
• Instrument reliability
• Sampling method
• Ethical approval

Each component impacts the reliability and validity of the study.

Question 22

What should be evaluated regarding the explanation of results?

Answer 22

Have results been explained? Is meaning of results clear?

Evaluating clarity and explanation of results is crucial for understanding the overall study.

Question 23

What aspects should be considered in the discussion and interpretation section?

Answer 23

Results explained, discussed and interpreted? Has aim/objective/hypothesis/question been addressed? If not, has reason been given?

It is important to ensure that all components of the research aim have been thoroughly discussed.

Question 24

What must be assessed regarding the discussion of results?

Answer 24

All results discussed? (whether they support views or not, positive or negative)

A comprehensive discussion includes addressing all results, regardless of their alignment with the author’s views.

Question 25

Should results be compared to findings from other studies?

Answer 25

Results compared to findings from other studies? If different, potential reason given? ## Footnote This comparison can provide context and validate the study's findings.

Question 26

What reflects the researcher's opinion in the discussion?

Answer 26

Discussion and interpretation reflect opinion of researcher ## Footnote Subjectivity can influence how results are interpreted and presented.

Question 27

What logical structure should be followed in the conclusions?

Answer 27

Follow steps to conclusion? ## Footnote A logical progression is necessary for clear and effective conclusions.

Question 28

What should be checked for consistency in arguments?

Answer 28

Gaps in development of arguments? Consistency of arguments? ## Footnote Ensuring that arguments are consistent and well-developed is critical for credibility.

Question 29

What should be considered regarding contradictions in the researcher's statements?

Answer 29

Researcher contradicting themselves? ## Footnote Contradictory statements can undermine the validity of the research.

Question 30

What should logical arguments be based on?

Answer 30

Logical arguments based on reader’s experience? ## Footnote Incorporating reader experience can enhance the relatability of the discussion.

Question 31

What should be assessed about the reader's interpretation of data?

Answer 31

Reader seeing different meanings in data? ## Footnote Different interpretations by readers can indicate the complexity or ambiguity of the data.

Question 32

What should be evaluated regarding overall consensus on findings?

Answer 32

Overall agree with findings/interpretations? ## Footnote Consensus on findings reflects the study's impact and acceptance in the field.

Question 33

What should conclusions be based on?

Answer 33

Based on research findings? ## Footnote Conclusions must be directly derived from the data collected during the study.

Question 34

What should be included in recommendations even if results are inconclusive?

Answer 34

Recommendations even when results not conclusive? If results conclusive and recommendations made, are they practical, feasible and well-thought out? ## Footnote Recommendations should be actionable and consider the context of the findings.

Question 35

What limitations should be discussed in the study?

Answer 35

Have limitations of study and recommendations been addressed and discussed? ## Footnote Addressing limitations is essential for transparency and for guiding future research.