Week 8: Quantitative Analysis and Interpretation: Nonparametric Methods

What is the impact of research studies on nursing practice?

Research studies have the ability to create change and move healthcare forward. New insights garner new ideas, and new ideas create a space in which patients may receive better care.

Not surprisingly, as a profession, healthcare professionals rely heavily on the use of research to guide practice. Moreover, DNP-prepared nurses are uniquely prepared, through training and education, to lead the way for the use of research to impact change. As a future DNP-prepared nurse, how do you see yourself using research in your area of practice?

This week, you will examine the use of nonparametric methods in research studies. You will explore the use of research for your area of practice and analyze studies in your area of interest. You will also consider and recommend changes to study designs and methodologies to improve the data analyzed as you continue working on your Article Critique Assignment.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze the use of nonparametric statistical tests in research studies
• Analyze why parametric statistical tests are inappropriate for research study designs
• Analyze strengths and weaknesses of research studies*
• Analyze how research studies contribute to evidence-based practice for nursing
• Analyze impact of research studies on nursing practice*
• Recommend changes to study designs and methodologies to support research studies*

*Assigned in Week 7 of Module 3 and submitted in Week 10 of Module 4

Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Discussion: Statistical Analysis in Nursing

• “An essential component of nursing education is ensuring students develop the competencies in the use of empirical evidence in their clinical practice. The fundamental goal of statistics courses is to teach healthcare professionals the proper uses of statistical thinking to enable them to effectively evaluate the literature and integrate evidence into their practice” (Baghi & Kornides, 2014).
• Photo Credit: ZoneCreative / iStock / Getty Images

How are research methods used in nursing? What particular methods are used in your area of nursing practice? Over the last few weeks, you have been exploring these questions, and you will continue this exploration examining the specific tests and methods that may be used in your particular area of nursing practice. Why might different methods be used based on an area of practice? Why is it important for DNP-prepared nurses to be familiar with various research methods?

For this Discussion, reflect on the tests and methods utilized in research studies, presented over the last eight weeks of the course, to consider the approach, impact, and purpose of these in conducting nursing research. Using a selected article, consider the approach used and reflect on how that approach might fits within your area of nursing practice.

Reference: Baghi, H., & Kornides, M. (2013). Current and future health care professionals attitudes toward and knowledge of statistics: How confidence influences learning. Journal of Nursing Education Practitioners 3(7), 24–29 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4239707/

To Prepare:

• Review the articles presented in this week’s Learning Resources and analyze each study’s use of statistical and nonparametric tests.
• Select an article to focus on for this Discussion.
• Ask yourself: Which method is most commonly used in research studies that pertain to my area of nursing practice, and why this might be so?

 

In nursing research, various research methods are used to investigate phenomena, inform evidence-based practice, and improve patient care outcomes. These methods encompass both quantitative and qualitative approaches, each serving different purposes and offering unique insights.

 

In my area of nursing practice, which focuses on psychiatric mental health nursing, a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods is often utilized. Quantitative methods, such as surveys, experimental designs, and statistical analyses, are commonly used to examine the effectiveness of interventions, assess patient outcomes, and explore associations between variables. For example, researchers may use quantitative methods to measure the impact of different therapeutic interventions on reducing symptoms of depression or anxiety among psychiatric patients.

 

On the other hand, qualitative methods, such as interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic studies, are valuable for exploring the lived experiences, perceptions, and attitudes of individuals with mental health disorders, as well as the interactions between patients and healthcare providers. Qualitative research in psychiatric nursing can provide rich, contextualized data that deepen our understanding of patients’ subjective experiences, treatment preferences, and barriers to care.

 

The choice of research methods in psychiatric nursing is influenced by the complexity of mental health conditions, the diverse needs of patients, and the multidimensional nature of psychiatric care. Given the holistic approach to mental health nursing, which considers biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors, both quantitative and qualitative methods are necessary to capture the breadth and depth of phenomena within this specialty.

 

For this discussion, I have selected the article titled “Current and Future Health Care Professionals’ Attitudes Toward and Knowledge of Statistics: How Confidence Influences Learning” by Baghi and Kornides (2013). This article explores the attitudes and knowledge of health care professionals, including nurses, toward statistics. While the article primarily focuses on quantitative data analysis and statistical tests, its findings are relevant to psychiatric nursing practice, as understanding statistics and research methods is essential for evidence-based decision-making and critical appraisal of research in mental health care.

 

In conclusion, familiarity with various research methods, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches, is crucial for DNP-prepared nurses in psychiatric mental health practice. By employing a range of methods, nurses can address complex clinical issues, advance nursing knowledge, and ultimately improve the quality of care for individuals with mental health disorders.

Week 8: Quantitative Analysis and Interpretation: Nonparametric Methods

By Day 3 of Week 8

Post a critical analysis of the article that you selected by addressing the following:

• What are the goals and purpose of the research study described by the article you selected?
• How are nonparametric tests used in the research study? What are the results of their use? Be specific.
• Why are parametric methods (t tests and ANOVA) inappropriate for the statistical analysis of the research study’s data? Be specific and provide examples.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the research study (e.g., study design, sampling, and measurement)?
• How could the findings and recommendations of the research study contribute to evidence-based practice for nursing?

 

The selected article, “Current and Future Health Care Professionals’ Attitudes Toward and Knowledge of Statistics: How Confidence Influences Learning” by Baghi and Kornides (2013), aims to investigate the attitudes and knowledge of health care professionals, including nurses, toward statistics. The primary goals of the research study are to assess the confidence levels, attitudes, and perceived importance of statistical knowledge among healthcare professionals, and to explore how these factors influence learning outcomes.

 

Nonparametric tests, such as the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test, are utilized in the research study to analyze differences in attitudes and knowledge of statistics among different groups of healthcare professionals. Specifically, the Mann-Whitney U test is used to compare attitudes toward statistics between healthcare professionals with high and low levels of confidence, while the Kruskal-Wallis test is used to assess differences in attitudes among healthcare professionals from different educational backgrounds.

 

The results of the nonparametric tests reveal significant differences in attitudes toward statistics between healthcare professionals with high and low levels of confidence. Additionally, the Kruskal-Wallis test indicates significant variations in attitudes toward statistics among healthcare professionals with different educational backgrounds.

 

Parametric methods, such as t-tests and ANOVA, would be inappropriate for the statistical analysis of the research study’s data due to violations of the assumptions of normality and homogeneity of variances. Parametric tests assume that the data follow a normal distribution and that variances are equal across groups. However, the data in this study may not meet these assumptions, as attitudes and knowledge of statistics are likely to be influenced by a variety of factors and may not conform to a normal distribution. For example, attitudes toward statistics may vary widely among healthcare professionals, with some individuals expressing strong positive attitudes and others expressing negative attitudes.

 

Strengths of the research study include its focus on an important topic relevant to healthcare professionals and its use of nonparametric tests to analyze differences in attitudes and knowledge of statistics. Additionally, the study utilizes a large sample size, which enhances the generalizability of the findings. However, weaknesses include potential biases in self-reported attitudes and the use of a cross-sectional design, which limits the ability to establish causality or temporal relationships.

 

The findings of the research study have important implications for evidence-based practice in nursing. By identifying factors that influence healthcare professionals’ attitudes and knowledge of statistics, the study highlights areas for targeted interventions and educational initiatives aimed at improving statistical literacy among nurses and other healthcare professionals. Enhanced statistical literacy can empower nurses to critically appraise research evidence, make informed decisions in clinical practice, and contribute to the advancement of evidence-based nursing practice.

By Day 6 of Week 8

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days in one or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence, or research.
• Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
• Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
• Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
• Suggest an alternative perspective based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
• Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.

Colleague 1:

 

Your analysis of the selected article on healthcare professionals’ attitudes toward statistics is thorough and well-structured. You provided a clear explanation of the goals and purpose of the research study, as well as a detailed examination of the statistical methods used and their appropriateness. I’m curious to know if you have any insights on how the findings of this study could inform the development of educational interventions aimed at improving statistical literacy among nurses and other healthcare professionals. Additionally, do you think there are any potential limitations or biases in the study’s findings that should be considered when interpreting the results?

 

Colleague 2:

 

Your analysis of the article demonstrates a good understanding of the research methods and statistical tests employed in the study. I appreciated your explanation of why nonparametric tests were chosen over parametric methods and your discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the research study. Building on your analysis, I wonder if you have any thoughts on how the findings of this study could be applied in clinical practice settings to promote evidence-based decision-making among nurses. Additionally, do you think there are any potential confounding variables or alternative explanations for the observed differences in attitudes toward statistics among healthcare professionals that were not addressed in the study?

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 8 Discussion Rubric

 

Week 8: Quantitative Analysis and Interpretation: Nonparametric Methods

Post by Day 3 of Week 8 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 8

To Participate in this Discussion:

Week 8 Discussion

 

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Assignment: Article Critique

Continue to work on your article critique, assigned in Week 7 and due in Week 10. Continue evaluating your selected research article and developing the required sections of your paper.

You are not required to submit this Assignment this week. Your article critique is due by Day 7 of Week 10.

What’s Coming Up in Module 4?

• Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

In the next module, you will explore and analyze approaches for qualitative research. You will explore methods and analysis as it relates to healthcare and your particular area of nursing practice. You will also complete your CITI Program Training and complete your Article Critique Assignment submission.

Looking Ahead: Assignment: CITI Program Training

• As a doctorally-prepared nurse, you may have opportunities to collaborate in research activities in your practice. The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program) provides education on protection of human subjects. In the United States, the CITI Program is the training module that most research institutions use. Therefore, as a part of this course, you are required to successfully complete the CITI Program training by Day 7 of Week 9.
• Photo Credit: Андрей Яланский / Adobe Stock

This online course may take up to 8 hours to complete. You will receive an electronic Certificate of Completion upon successfully passing the training. You will submit this Certificate of Completion to the Walden University Institutional Review Board office when you submit an application to conduct research.

To Prepare:

• Follow the instructions on the CITI Program Learner Registration webpage to create your account (https://www.citiprogram.org/index.cfm?pageID=154&icat=0&clear=1).
  • Review the CITI Program Learner Registration Guide for step-by-step instructions on completing the registration process.
  • Be sure to select Walden University under the “Select Your Organization Affiliation” section. If you do not select Walden University, you will not be able to access the training at no cost.
• Create and record your CITI Program User Name and Password for future reference.

To complete:

 

Week 8: Quantitative Analysis and Interpretation: Nonparametric Methods

By Day 7 of Week 9

• Complete the five required Citi Program training modules as well as the two elective modules.
• Copy and paste the Certificate of Completion into a Word document and save the file as a “.doc” or “.rtf” file.

You are not required to submit this Assignment this week.

Note: This Assignment must be completed by Day 7 of Week 9 in order for you to successfully complete this course.

Next Module

Week 8: Quantitative Analysis and Interpretation: Nonparametric Methods

 

In preparation for your Discussion this week, I have some prompts and suggestions to help guide your analysis of the selected article:

 

1. **Goals and Purpose of the Research Study**: Can you clearly identify the goals and purpose of the research study described in the selected article? How effectively do these goals align with the research question or problem being addressed?

 

2. **Use of Nonparametric Tests**: Reflect on how nonparametric tests are employed in the research study. Are these tests appropriate for the data and research questions being investigated? How do the results of these tests contribute to the overall findings of the study?

 

3. **Inappropriateness of Parametric Methods**: Consider why parametric methods, such as t-tests and ANOVA, would be inappropriate for the statistical analysis of the research study’s data. Are there specific characteristics of the data that make parametric methods less suitable?

 

4. **Strengths and Weaknesses**: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the research study, including aspects related to study design, sampling, and measurement. How do these strengths and weaknesses impact the validity and generalizability of the study’s findings?

 

5. **Contribution to Evidence-Based Practice**: Analyze how the findings and recommendations of the research study could contribute to evidence-based practice in nursing. Are there practical implications or applications of the study’s findings that could inform nursing practice or policy?

 

I hope these prompts help you critically analyze the selected article and contribute to a rich discussion in your post. Looking forward to engaging with your insights and reflections!

 

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