Research terminology Flashcards

1
Q

What is the difference between positivist and constructivist paradigms?

A

P: used for quantitative research, reality is fixed and measureable, objective and proveable
C: used for qualitative research, reality is constructed by the individuals involved, very subjective

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2
Q

Where would the reader find a description of the instruments used for data collection?

A

In the METHODS section of the article

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3
Q

These are, by definition, tested through empirical or quantitative research.

A

Hypotheses

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4
Q

What type of research study can assess differences of cause-effect relationships?

A

Quantitative research studies- experimental designs

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5
Q

What is a paradigm?

A

ones philosophical belief or worldview

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6
Q

What is inductive research?

A

a qualitative approach to research where generalizations are developed from observations; reasoning moves from particular to the general

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7
Q

The context refers to….

A

the environment where a phenomenon occurs

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8
Q

The overall blueprint of a study is known as the….

A

Design

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9
Q

What is triangulation?

A

Using more than one method to investigate a phenomenon

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10
Q

What is deductive research?

A

a quantitative approach, hypotheses are derived from theory, reasoning moves from the general to the particular

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11
Q

What is the abstract?

A

a brief overview of the study including the findings

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12
Q

A hypothesis with at least 2 independent or dependent variables

A

complex hypothesis

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13
Q

The statement that includes the aims of the study is called…..

A

a purpose statement

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14
Q

The properties that researchers study are called

A

variables

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15
Q

What kind of hypothesis demonstrates a relationship between variables

A

an associative hypothesis

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16
Q

What is another name for a null hypothesis?

A

Statistical hypothesis

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17
Q

What is a null hypothesis?

A

A hypothesis with no stated relationship

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18
Q

A statement that predicts the relationship between variables

A

hypothesis

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19
Q

A hypothesis that can be either directional or non-directional

A

a research hypothesis

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20
Q

What are the 3 components of a problem statement?

A

Nature, context, significance

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21
Q

What kind of hypothesis describes a positive relationship?

A

a directional hypothesis

22
Q

A hypothesis with 1 independent and 1 dependent variable

A

simple hypothesis

23
Q

Explain the 5 step research process

A

THINKING (id the problem/purpose and review the literature)
PLANNING (choose study design & approach to sample, data collection)
IMPLEMENTING (recruiting participants and collecting data)
ANALYZING (interpret findings)
INFORMING (disseminating results

24
Q

What are the 4 levels of research?

A

Descriptive
Correlational
Quasi-experimental
Experimental

25
Q

What is a descriptive survey?

A

NON-experimental research where descriptions of existing phenomena are collected in order to justify or assess current conditions or make plans for improvments

26
Q

What is a correlational study?

A

type of nonexperimental research that examines the relationship between two or more variables

27
Q

What does it mean when a study is quasi-experimental?

A

random assignment is not used, but the independent variable is manipulated and certain mechanisms of control are used.

28
Q

What 3 elements are necessary to create an experimental design?

A
  1. randomization
  2. control
  3. manipulation
29
Q

Which method of study has results that are meant to be able to generalize into other populations?

A

Quantitative

30
Q

Which research method tests theory?

A

Quantitative

31
Q

Which method of study develops theory?

A

Qualitative

32
Q

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative studies?

A

QUANT: starts with a theory with a goal of testing said theory, highly controlled, use structured instruments and numbers and statistical analysis in order to make generalizations based on theory

QUAL: starts with phenomenon with the goal of developing a theory,
use communication and observation, words and unique interpretation to develop theory

33
Q

Name 3 types of quantitative studies

A
  • Randomized clinical Trial
  • survey research
  • evaluation research
  • meta-Analysis
34
Q

Name 3 types of Qualitative studies

A
  • phenomenology
  • ethnography
  • grounded theory
  • meta-synthesis
35
Q

What is the difference between an experimental and a non-experimental study? Give an example of each.

A

E: manipulates and controls variables and observes effect on other variables in an effort to evaluate cause and effect relationships
example: does a pre-op intervention program to increase self-efficacy affect self care measure post-op?

NON: describes relationships or correlation between variables that are NOT manipulated by the researcher
example: correlation between HRT and breast CA

36
Q

What type of study evaluates cause and effect relationships?

A

Quantitative Experimental design, randomized-control trial

37
Q

What is the difference between preliminary reading and comprehensive reading?

A

PRE: read to gain familiarity, focus on title and abstract, skim rest
COMP: read to gain understanding of the intent, the methods and the findings

38
Q

What does it mean to analyze a research article?

A

break the content into parts to understand each aspect of the study

39
Q

What is a synthesis?

A

pulling together or combining parts into a whole– to makes sense of it an explain relationships

40
Q

What is usually included in the discussion section of a research article?

A
  • major findings
  • limitations
  • conclusions, implications and recommendations
41
Q

What is a problem statement? What are the 3 necessary components?

A

an expression of a dilemma or disturbing situation that needs to be investigated

  1. nature
  2. context
  3. significance
42
Q

What are the 3 necessary components to a purpose statement? where do you normally find this in a research article?

A
  1. setting
  2. population
  3. variables
    * Normally found immediately prior to the methods section in an article
43
Q

What are the 3 necessary components to finding a researchable question?

A
  1. helps to solve a problem, add to theory or improve nursing practice
  2. Needs to be usable, current and clear
  3. Provides answers that will explain, describe, identify, predict or qualify
44
Q

A hypothesis MUST: (3 things)

A
  1. predict relationship between 2 or more variables
  2. be testable (observe, measure, analyze)
  3. be justifiable (based on theory or rationale)
45
Q

What kind of studies MUST include a formal hypothesis?

A

experimental studies (RCT)

46
Q

How do you know if there is an implied hypothesis?

A

If in the results section there is a “P” value, there is an implied hypothesis

47
Q

Give an example of a directional/non-directional relationship

A

Directional: pts who receive reconditioning have LESS bladder dysfunction than those who dont
NON-Directional: There is a difference in bladder function among pts with and without conditioning

48
Q

What are the 4 [8] types of hypotheses?

A
  1. Causal v associative
  2. Simple v complex
  3. directional v non-directional
  4. null v research
49
Q

What are independent variables?

A

Has the presumed effect on the dependent variable, may or may not be manipulated, CAUSE, ACTION, INTERVENTION

50
Q

What are dependent variables?

A

The consequence that varies with a change in the independent variable EFFECT, OUTCOME, REACTION, RESPONSE

51
Q

What are extraneous variables?

A

[confounding]- extra uncontrolled variables that influence the relationship being studied

52
Q

What is the difference between conceptual and operational definitions?

A

CONCEPT: the abstract, theoretical meaning of the concept being studied
OPERATIONAL” the means by which the researcher will collect information (only in quantitative studies)