NUR 325 Terms Worksheet- Due week 3
Word /Term/phrase
Qualitative research
Scholarly Definition
Is a scholarly, rigorous approach to
understanding life experiences, cultures,
and social processes. Instead of using
statistical data, these studies seek to
understand concepts, opinions, or
experiences (Polit & Beck, 2017).
Seeks to test relationships or answer a
question
 Explains cause-andeffect relationships
 Seeks to DESCRIBE
phenomena
 Objectivity is important
 Theory testing
 Uses statistical data
 Focuses on numerical or
statistical data
 Examines relationships among
variables
 Consists of independent and
dependent variables
 Independent variablevariable that is changed
or controlled in a
scientific experiment
 Dependent variablevariable being tested
and measured in study.
It is “dependent” on the
independent variable.
Example- if applicable
A study seeks to determine
what factors are most stressful
to nurses in an ICU unit. The
researcher gains data by asking
open-ended questions about
the nurses’ work experiences.
Schoenfisch and colleagues
(2019) did a study to describe
hospital nursing staff’s use of
lift or transfer devices. They
found that only 40% of the
nurses used equipment for at
least half of lifts/transfers
(Polit & Beck, 2017).
Mixed study
Mixed methods research involves the
collection and analysis of both
qualitative and quantitative data (Polit &
Beck, 2017).
Nursing research
Research is the systematic, rigorous,
critical investigation that aims to answer
questions about nursing phenomena.
Researchers follow the steps of the
How often does the
phenomenon occur?
(quantitative) and what is
important about the
phenomenon? (qualitative)
Evaluating nursing
interventions as an effective
treatment.
Quantitative research
NUR 325 Terms Worksheet- Due week 3
scientific process.
There are three types of research —
quantitative, qualitative, or mixed
(combination of quantitative and
qualitative).
The methods used by nurse researchers
are the same methods used by other
disciplines; the difference is that nurses
study questions relevant to nursing
practice.
Nightingale Rose Diagram
Nightingale's graph is like a pie chart,
cut into twelve equal angles. These
slices advance in a clockwise direction.
Each shows what happened in one month
of one year. The outward reach of each
slice shows how many deaths occurred in
No example needed
that month (Lienhard, 2019).
Statistics
Statistics- The collections of quantitative
information and
Organizes, summarizes and describes
quantifiable data
How many nurses choose to
become ED nurses and how
they feel about their choice.
Evidence-based practice
The collection, interpretation, and
integration of valid research evidence,
combined with clinical expertise and an
understanding of patient and family
values and preferences to inform clinical
decision-making (Fowler, 2002).
QI is the systematic use of data to
monitor the outcomes of care processes
as well as the use of improvement
methods to design and test changes in
practice, the aim of which is to
continuously improve the quality and
safety of healthcare systems.
Washing hands before and
after interacting with each
patient reduces contamination.
A research critique is the process of
critical appraisal that objectively and
critically evaluates a research report’s
content for scientific merit and
Reading and critiquing a
scholarly article written by a
peer.
Quality improvement
Research critique
Proper patient education upon
discharge lowers the chance of
re-admission to the hospital.
NUR 325 Terms Worksheet- Due week 3
application to practice.
A research critique requires some
knowledge of the subject matter and
knowledge of how to critically read and
use critiquing criteria.
Research hypothesis
Flows from the research question,
literature review, and theoretical
framework and predicts the expected
outcome.
Formulated before the study is started
because it determines how data are
collected, analyzed, and interpreted.
.08 of vaccinated infants
become hospitalized due to an
illness directly correlated to an
immunization during the first
year of life.
Statistical hypothesis/
Null hypothesis
Statistical hypothesis
Also known as null hypothesis.
States there is NO relationship between
X (independent) and Y (dependent)
variables.
The research question (PICOT) aims to
prove there is a correlation between the
variables.
Working a night-shift makes
you tired the next day.
Alternative hypothesis
Statement that is contradictory to the
null hypothesis.
It is what we conclude when we reject
the null hypothesis.
Alternative hypothesisdrinking alcohol does increase
the chances of getting a liver
disease.
Directional hypothesis
A directional research hypothesis
predicts the expected direction of the
relationship between X and Y.
If a child is vaccinated they will
experience less severe
illnesses.
Non-directional hypothesis
A nondirectional research hypothesis
does not predict the anticipated
direction of the relationship between X
and Y.
A fourth semester nursing
student will perform differently
on a pathophysiology exam
than a first semester nursing
student.
Literature review
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Sub-set
NUR 325 Terms Worksheet- Due week 3
Sample
Observation
Parameters
Descriptive statistics
Inferential statistics
Target population
Study population
Convenience sample
Network/snowball sample
Purposive sample
Random sample
Refusal rate
Attrition rate
Resources:
Lienhard, J. (2019). No. 1712: Nightingale’s Graph. Uh.edu.
https://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1712.htm
Polit, D.F. & Beck, C.T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for
nursing practice. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
NUR 325 Terms Worksheet- Due week 3
NUR 325 Terms Worksheet- Due week 3