Ann Bartley Williams
Quantitative Research Designs
Fall 2013
SCHOOL OF NURSING
UCLA CENTER FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES
Fall 2013
Course Number and Title:
N207 Quantitative Research Designs f o r St u d ie s of Clinical Phenomena
Number of Credits:
4 credits
Lecture and Discussion 4 hours weekly
Placement of Course:
Fall Quarter
Prerequisite Courses:
Upper division statistics course (Biostatistics 200A, 201, and 406 or Education
2308, 230C and 231A or equivalent; N204 or equivalent)
Catalog Description:
This course is designed to introduce the student to a wide array of quantitative
research designs for testing clinical nursing phenomena. Emphasis will be on the
dynamic interaction between the research process and theory, as well as the
appropriate use of experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlational designs
among diverse populations. The course will present approaches for evaluation of
the validity of various research designs, with analysis of related threats to the validity
of each design.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion, students will be able to:
1. Analyze the appropriateness of specific quantitative methods to answer
research questions of interest to nursing practice (research; critical
thinking);
2. Compare and contrast advantages and disadvantages of common
quantitative research designs based on analysis of threats to validity of
each design (research; critical thinking);
3. Develop appropriate designs for given research questions relevant to
Ann Bartley Williams
Quantitative Research Designs
Fall 2013
nursing practice (research; professional role development)
4. Critique research in their area of interest based on evaluation of four types
of design validity (statistical conclusion, internal, construct, and external
validity) (research; critical thinking);
5. Posit specific research questions in their area of interest and develop and
evaluate a related research design and methodology, based on a
comprehensive analysis of threats to validity of the proposed design
(research).
Skills/Competencies:
1. Evaluation of research
2. Development of research
Teaching Methods:
1. Lecture
2. Discussion
3. Group analysis
4. C ritique
Instructor:
Ann Bartley Williams
Professor and Associate Dean for Research
10880 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 550
310 825 0303
awilliams@sonnet.ucla.edu
Office hours by appointment most Wednesday mornings, other times PRN.
Evaluation of the student
Class preparation and participation: 30% - includes weekly written assignments
and feedback to colleagues regarding their work. Details are described in
document titled Assignments and Class Schedule. (Objectives 1, 2, 4)
Protocol critique: 30% - includes written critical reviews and oral presentation of a
colleague’s study protocol. Details are described in document titled Assignments
and Class Schedule. (Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4)
Protocol development: 40% - A 10 – 12-page paper presenting a research
Ann Bartley Williams
Quantitative Research Designs
Fall 2013
protocol using a quantitative design for investigating a nursing research question
in the student’s area of interest. Details are described in document titled
Assignments and Class Schedule. (Objectives 3, 5)
Evaluation of the course and faculty
Standardized UCLA online course evaluation.
Students also are encouraged to provide ongoing feedback throughout the
quarter.
Required textbooks
Burns N. & Grove SK (2013) The Practice of Nursing Research: Appraisal,
Synthesis, and Generation of Evidence (7th edition) St. Louis: Saunders ISBN:
978-1-455-70736-2
Hulley SB, Cummings SR, Browner WS, Grady D, Newman TB (2006) Designing
Clinical Research. (4th edition) Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN:
978-1-60831-804-9.
Grading
A+ 97-100
A
94-96
A90-93
B+ 87-89
B
84-86
F
≥83