Quantitative Research Lizabeth Reilly, RN, MSN

Introduction

Who am I?

What sparked my interest in research?

When did I start my research journey?

Where did I start and where am I hoping to go?

Why do you need know?

Now- I work at…(425 bed Level 1 Trauma Center)

Quantitative Research

What will we learn today?

Our Objectives:

◦What is it- Quantitative research

◦Why do we use it

◦How do we use it

◦Where do we use it

◦The “p” of it all

Define

Quantitative Research ◦ Quantitative methods emphasize objective measurements and the statistical, mathematical, or numerical analysis of data collected through polls, questionnaires, and surveys, or by manipulating pre-existing statistical data using computational techniques.

◦ of or relating to how much there is of something : of or relating to the quantity or amount of something

How is Quan research used

Quantitative research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can be transformed into useable statistics. It is used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other defined variables - and generalize results from a larger sample population.

Quantitative Research uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research.

Why do we use it?

To test hypotheses

Look at cause & effect

Make predictions.

How do we collect this data

Quantitative data collection methods are structured.

Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys - online surveys, paper surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls, and systematic observations.

How do we collect this data (2)

Samples and surveys are considered the most important components of quantitative research. Survey design calls for properly defining the target population, determining ways to make contact, and dividing up the population so a sample can be properly drawn.

Survey options are varied and include postal, telephone, face-to-face, house-to-house and online. The quality of the final data is influenced by a number of factors, including an understanding of the population's biases and the way interviews or surveys are conducted.

Who likes Quan research

Quantitative research is used in a variety of fields. ◦ Psychology ◦ Economics ◦ Sociology ◦ Community health ◦ Gender and Political science ◦ Anthropology ◦ History ◦ Healthcare

Quantitative- Data

Data analysis is conducted by gathering, processing, inspecting, cleaning, transforming and modeling data. There are a variety of tools that are important for modeling data, including both graphical and quantitative techniques. All data analysis requires a strong understanding of mathematical statistics.

(Where will I get my “p” from?)

Types of Quantitative Research

Descriptive Research

Correlational Research

Causal-comparative/quasi-experimental research

Experimental research

Descriptive research

Descriptive research seeks to describe the

current status of an identified variable. These research projects are designed to provide systematic information about a phenomenon. The researcher does not usually begin with an hypothesis, but is likely to develop one after collecting data. The analysis and synthesis of the data provide the test of the hypothesis. Systematic collection of information requires careful selection of the units studied and careful measurement of each variable.

Examples of Descriptive Research:

A description of the tobacco use habits of teenagers

A description of the attitudes of scientists regarding global warming

A description of the kinds of physical activities that typically occur in nursing homes, and how frequently each occurs

Examples of Descriptive Research

Descriptive studies can involve a one-time interaction with groups of people ( cross-sectional study ) or a study might follow individuals over time ( longitudinal study ). Descriptive studies, in which the researcher interacts with the participant, may involve surveys or interviews to collect the necessary information. Descriptive studies in which the researcher does not interact with the participant include observational studies of people in an environment and studies involving data collection using existing records (e.g., medical record review).

Case example of a descriptive study Descriptive studies are usually the best methods for collecting

information that will demonstrate relationships and describe the world as it exists. These types of studies are often done before an experiment to know what specific things to manipulate and include in an experiment. Bickman and Rog (1998) suggest that descriptive studies can answer questions such as “what is” or “what was.” Experiments can typically answer “why” or “how.”

Records Review

Cardiology

◦ lipids profiles and MI ◦ Coumadin and Diabetes

Internal Medicine ◦ Diabetes and Kidney disease

The association between education level and Cardiovascular (CV) events and Cerebrovascular events- Describing the relationship

Correlational research

Correlational research attempts to determine the extent of a relationship between two or more variables using statistical data. In this type of design, relationships between and among a number of facts are sought and interpreted. This type of research will recognize trends and patterns in data, but it does not go so far in its analysis to prove causes for these observed patterns.

Correlational research

Correlational Cause and effect is not the basis of this type of observational research. The data, relationships, and distributions of variables are studied only. Variables are not manipulated; they are only identified and are studied as they occur in a natural setting.

Correlational research

*Sometimes correlational research is considered a type of descriptive research, and not as its own type of research, as no variables are manipulated in the study.

Examples of Correlational Research:

The relationship between intelligence and self-esteem

The relationship between diet and anxiety

The covariance of smoking and lung disease

MilNOD

MilNOD- Military Nursing Outcomes Database

What were we studying?

Why were we studying it?

What did we come up with?

Variables

Just a reminder:

(Independent variable) causes a change in the (Dependent Variable) and it isn't possible that (Dependent Variable) could cause a change in (Independent Variable).

Causal-comparative/quasi-experimental research

Causal-comparative/quasi-experimental research attempts to establish cause-effect relationships among the variables. These types of design are very similar to true experiments, but with some key differences. An independent variable is identified but not manipulated by the experimenter, and effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable are measured.

Causal-comparative/quasi-experimental research

The researcher does not randomly assign groups and must use ones that are naturally formed or pre-existing groups. Identified control groups exposed to the treatment variable are studied and compared to groups who are not.

Causal-comparative/quasi-experimental research

When analyses and conclusions are made, determining causes must be done carefully, as other variables, both known and unknown, could still affect the outcome. A causal-comparative designed study, described in a New York Times article, "The Case for $320,00 Kindergarten Teachers," illustrates how causation must be thoroughly assessed before firm relationships amongst variables can be made.

Causal-comparative Quasi/Experimental: Examples

Cancer and Exercise

Diabetes and diet intervention

Smoking cessation and classes

Decreasing lipids and diet

Model of PTSD in Military personnel- ◦ Defined groups- VA – DoD

◦ Results of this shown it takes ~ 40 years to mitigate the effects of war. This is a fluid and dynamic state and needs more defining.

Experimental research

Experimental research: often called true experimentation, uses the scientific method to establish the cause-effect relationship among a group of variables that make up a study.

The true experiment is often thought of as a laboratory study, but this is not always the case; a laboratory setting has nothing to do with it.

A true experiment is any study where an effort is made to identify and impose control over all other variables except one.

An independent variable is manipulated to determine the effects on the dependent variables. Subjects are randomly assigned to experimental treatments rather than identified in naturally occurring groups

Examples of Experimental Research:

The effect of a new treatment plan on breast cancer

The effect of a new systematic approach to Caregiver stress.

A comparison of the effect of personalized instruction vs. traditional instruction on CPR skill

Does taking alternative therapies change the effects of awakening of rats?

Decrease in Vit D in Postmenopausal women- Results were negative.

Experimental Research

Pain study- Randomized protocol for pain with and w/o intervention

Exercise protocol- Randomized types of exercise for CA patients.

The “p”

The P value, or calculated probability, is the probability of finding the observed, or more extreme, results when the null hypothesis (H 0) of a study question is true – the definition of 'extreme' depends on how the hypothesis is being tested.

The “p”

When I roll the dice what are my chances of rolling a 6?

Ratio 1:6

Percent 17%

Fraction 1/6

Decimal 0.17

Chance???

The “p” value stands for probability.

It is the true prediction of whether the hypothesis could have happened by chance.

The lower the number the better

The p=>.001

What is the “p”?

Review

Quantitative research ◦ We use it to quantify something- measure

something

Types of Quantitative research ◦ Descriptive ◦ Correlational ◦ Causal Comparative ◦ Experimental

The “p” ◦ The lower the number the better

References

Full list of References available upon request.

MilNOD

Reilly, M. Anesthesia (2009)

New York Times article, "The Case for $320,00 Kindergarten Teachers,“

Xavier University Library, QUALITATIVE VERSUS QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

The association between educational level and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases within the EPICOR Study: New evidence for an old inequity problem (Oct 2016)

A dynamic model of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for Military Personnel and Veterans (Oct 2016)

Repletion of vitamin D associated with deterioration of sleep quality among postmenopausal women (Sep2016)

http://www.snapsurveys.com/qualitative-quantitative-research/

http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/quantitative

https://www.reference.com/world-view/quantitative-research-bc9e8212fb16a6e0

http://libweb.surrey.ac.uk/library/skills/Introduction%20to%20Research%20and

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quantitative

Thank you!!!

Questions