NURS 315: Research Problems, Purposes, and Hypotheses Fall 2024 PDF

NURS 315: Chapter 5- Research Problems, Purposes, and Hypotheses FALL SEMESTER 2024 INSTRUCTOR: DR. WOOD September 2024 “Identifying the Research Problem” is the most important initial step in conducting a study. This provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in kn...

NURS 315: Chapter 5- Research Problems, Purposes, and Hypotheses FALL SEMESTER 2024 INSTRUCTOR: DR. WOOD September 2024 “Identifying the Research Problem” is the most important initial step in conducting a study. This provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for the nursing practice. The significance of the problem identifies how important knowledge is to the discipline and healthcare and the health of families and individuals. The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study. Research objective or aim is a clear, concise, declarative statement that is expressed in the present tense and which focuses on one or two variables, indicating whether they are to be identified or described. The dependent variable is the outcome the research wishes to predict. Dependent variables are variables that are manipulated to observe effects on dependent variables. ○ Changes in the dependent variable are thought to be caused by the independent variable The independent, or experimental variable, is manipulated by the researcher to observe the effects on the dependent variable A confounding/extraneous variable that is not recognized until the study is in process or is recognized before beginning the study, but cannot be controlled ○ Environmental Variable: Uncontrolled variable related to the setting 1  Operational Variable: The operational definition is derived from a set of procedures or progressive acts that a researcher performs to receive sensory impressions that indicate the existence or degree of existence of a variable ( aka defines the variables and says how they are measured Demographic variables are attributes of subjects that are collected to describe the sample. These help develop sample characteristics ○ May include age, education, gender, ethnic origin, income, medical diagnosis, geographic location, etc Research variables are variables used in qualitative studies A research question focuses on the description of variables or concepts, examination of relationships among variables, and determination of differences between two or more groups regarding selected variable It identifies the need for the study, establishes the setting, variables, and populations feasibility of a study is determined by examining the researcher’s qualifications, the funding and resources available to conduct the study, the availability of subjects, facilities, and equipment, and ethical considerations The problem background identifies what has already been established and it is presented after the research problem An operational definition is derived from a set of procedures or progressive acts that a researcher performs to receive sensory impressions that indicate the existence or degree of existence of a variable. An operational definition is developed so that a variable can be measured or manipulated in a concrete situation Conceptual definition: Abstract meaning of a variable that usually is based on theory Hypotheses The hypothesis is a formal statement about an expected relationship between two or more variables. It will mention the expected outcomes, the population being studied, and the specific variable. 2 Hypotheses have to be testable. The hypothesis must have Variables that are measurable or able to be manipulated. Concepts are more abstract than variables and are usually studied in qualitative research. Associative Hypothesis: This predicts a relationship between variables but doesn’t imply causation. The variables move together, but one doesn’t necessarily cause the other. Example: "There is an association between sleep quality and academic performance." Associative and Accompanying Causal Hypothesis: This predicts that one variable causes an effect on another, implying a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Example: "Increased exposure to sunlight causes higher vitamin D levels." Causal= Cause Simple Hypothesis: Predicts a relationship between two variables—one independent and one dependent. Example: "Studying more hours leads to higher exam scores." Simple= Single Pair Complex Hypothesis: Predicts relationships between multiple variables—more than one independent variable, dependent variable, or both. Example: "Increased study time and better sleep lead to higher exam scores and reduced stress levels." Complex= Combo Non-Directional Hypothesis: Predicts that a relationship exists between variables but does not specify the direction (positive or negative). Example: "There is a difference in anxiety levels between patients receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy and those receiving medication." 3  Non-directional=neautral/ no direction specified Directional Hypothesis: Predicts both the existence of a relationship and the specific direction of that relationship (e.g., positive or negative). Example: "Cognitive-behavioral therapy reduces anxiety levels more than medication." Directional=Declared ( specific direction) Null Hypothesis (H₀): States that there is no effect or no relationship between variables. This is what researchers typically aim to disprove. Example: "There is no difference in recovery times between patients receiving treatment A and treatment B." Null= Nothing/ No effect Research Hypothesis (H₁ or Hₐ): This is the hypothesis that the researcher believes to be true and often corresponds to the alternative hypothesis (which posits that there is a relationship or effect). Example: "Patients receiving treatment A will recover faster than those receiving treatment B." Research=Real results 4