Research Midterm: Quiz 1- Introduction To Nursing Research

Quantitative research is typically conducted within the traditional scientific method, which is systematic
and controlled. Quantitative researchers base their findings on empirical evidence and strive for
generalizability beyond a single setting or situation. Constructivist researchers emphasize
understanding human experience as it is lived through the collection and analysis of subjective,
narrative materials using flexible procedures; this paradigm is associated with qualitative research.

k EBP prioritizes research findings, which are found primarily in primary sources, such as journals, rather
than in secondary sources, such as textbooks. It is not dependent on tradition or authority.

Description of phenomena is an important purpose of research. In descriptive studies, researchers
count, delineate, and classify. Nurse researchers have described a wide variety of phenomena, such as
patients' stress, health beliefs, and so on. Quantitative description focuses on the prevalence, size, and
measurable aspects of phenomena. Qualitative researchers describe the nature, dimensions, and
salience of phenomena

Nurses are increasingly expected to understand and undertake research, and to base their practice on
evidence from research—that is, to adopt an evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP, broadly defined, is
the use of the best evidence in making patient care decisions. Experience, intuition, and authority are
not wholly ignored in the EBP process, but research is a priority.

Human experiences, and people's descriptions and interpretations of these experiences, are the main
focus of qualitative research. Systematic process, etiology, and factual data are more closely aligned
with the quantitative tradition.

Nurses are increasingly expected to understand and undertake research and to base their practice on
evidence from research. Evidence-based practice is the use of the best evidence in making patient care
decisions and typically comes from research conducted by nurses and other health-care professionals.
All of the other answers are possible goals for the nursing profession, but none is as important as
establishing evidence for practice.

Nursing research focuses on human beings, who are inherently complicated and diverse. The
traditional scientific method typically focuses on a relatively small aspect of human experiences in a
single study. Complexities tend to be controlled and, if possible, eliminated rather than studied directly,
and this narrowness of focus can sometimes obscure insights

Because this study would involve a measurable, numeric outcome—blood pressure—it should most
likely be a quantitative study.

In the positivist paradigm, it is assumed that there is an objective reality and that natural phenomena
are regular and orderly. In the constructivist paradigm, it is assumed that reality is not a fixed entity but
is rather a construction of human minds—and thus “truth” is a composite of multiple constructions of
reality

Constructivist studies are heavily focused on understanding the human experience as it is lived,
through the careful collection and analysis of qualitative materials that are narrative and subjective.
Human needs, and individuals' perceptions of those needs, are a common focus of qualitative research.
Outcomes, risk factors, and treatment modalities are often addressed with quantitative research

Empiricism refers to gathering evidence about real-world phenomena through the senses. This means that empirical knowledge is based on observation and experience rather than speculation or theory. Empiricists believe that knowledge comes from direct sensory experience and that it can be verified through observation and experimentation. By using their senses to gather evidence, empiricists aim to understand and explain the world around them. This approach emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence in forming beliefs and making conclusions.

In the constructivist paradigm, it is assumed that reality is not a fixed entity but is rather a construction
of human minds—and thus “truth” is a composite of multiple constructions of reality. In the positivist
paradigm, it is assumed that there is an objective reality and that natural phenomena are regular and
orderly. Constructivist researchers emphasize understanding human experience as it is lived through
the collection and analysis of subjective, narrative materials using flexible procedures; this paradigm is
associated with qualitative research. The other answers are truer of positivist, quantitative research.

As this study involves gathering subjective, non-measurable data, the researcher's paradigm is most
likely constructivism. Positivism is not likely, as there is no emphasis on an objective, orderly reality.
Determinism, which refers to the belief that phenomena result from prior causes and are not
haphazard, is not pertinent here. Although the research will involve empiricism, or gathering information
using the senses, this is not the primary paradigm.

In the constructivist paradigm, it is assumed that reality is not a fixed entity but is rather a construction
of human minds—and thus “truth” is a composite of multiple constructions of reality. However,
constructivists do believe that reality can be studied empirically. Belief in a fixed reality that exists in
nature for humans to understand would be an example of a positivist belief, not a constructivist one.
The constructivist belief does not hold so much that the nature of reality has changed over time as that
it has always been constructed by human minds.

In the positivist paradigm, it is assumed that there is an objective reality and that natural phenomena
are regular and orderly. The related assumption of determinism refers to the belief that phenomena
result from prior causes and are not haphazard. In the constructivist paradigm, it is assumed that reality
is not a fixed entity but is rather a construction of human minds—and thus “truth” is a composite of
multiple constructions of reality. Although the word empiricism has come to be allied with the classic
scientific method, researchers in both traditions gather and analyze evidence empirically, that is,
through their senses.

Tradition may undermine effective problem solving. There is growing concern that many nursing actions
are based on tradition, custom, and “unit culture” rather than on sound evidence. This prevents the
acceptance of new knowledge and increases bias and is unlikely to produce a precise range of
answers.

Nursing research is systematic inquiry designed to develop trustworthy evidence about issues of
importance to nurses and their clients. Nurse leaders recognize the need to base specific nursing
decisions on evidence indicating that the decisions are clinically appropriate, cost-effective, and result
in positive client outcomes. Although all of the people listed would benefit from the development of a
scientific base for nursing practice, ultimately it is the clients themselves who would most benefit, as
they would then receive the most appropriate and most effective care

A fundamental distinction that is especially relevant in quantitative research is between studies whose
primary intent is to describe phenomena and those that are cause-probing. Specific purposes on the
description/explanation continuum include identification, description, exploration, prediction/control and
explanation. Many nursing studies can also be classified in terms of a key EBP aim:
therapy/treatment/intervention; diagnosis and assessment; prognosis; etiology and harm; and meaning
and process.

Quantitative research (associated with positivism) involves the collection and analysis of numeric
information. Quantitative research is typically conducted within the traditional scientific method, which is
systematic and controlled. Quantitative researchers base their findings on empirical evidence (evidence
collected by way of the human senses) and strive for generalizability beyond a single setting or
situation. Constructivist researchers emphasize understanding human experience as it is lived through
the collection and analysis of subjective, narrative materials using flexible procedures; this paradigm is
associated with qualitative research.

In the current EBP environment, every nurse is likely to engage in one or more activity along a
continuum of research participation. At one end of the continuum are users (consumers) of nursing
research—nurses who read research reports to keep up-to-date on findings that may affect their
practice. EBP depends on well-informed nursing research consumers. At the other end of the
continuum are the producers of nursing research: nurses who actively design and undertake studies.

Qualitative researchers sometimes study phenomena about which little is known. In some cases, so
little is known that the phenomenon has yet to be clearly identified or named or has been inadequately
defined. Identification is thus necessary. Exploration (which addresses causation), predication, and
description would likely be subsequent efforts.

Clinical reports, experience and beliefs are non-research based sources of evidence, which are
considered to be comparatively weak. Qualitative studies are research-based.

Both quantitative and qualitative research share a desire to understand the true state of human affairs,
a reliance on external evidence collected through the senses, and utility to the nursing profession.
However, quantitative, not qualitative, research emphasizes formal measurement.

Nurse leaders recognize the need to base specific nursing decisions on evidence indicating that the
decisions are clinically appropriate, cost-effective, and result in positive client outcomes. Holistic
treatments may be appropriate in some, but not all, circumstances. Tradition alone is an inadequate
basis for practice