This document provides an overview of quantitative research methods. It defines basic and applied research, as well as key concepts like rigor and control. It also outlines the steps of the quantitative research process, including formulating research problems, developing a framework, defining variables, selecting appropriate designs and methods of measurement, and communicating findings. Descriptive, correlational, quasi-experimental and experimental research designs are also briefly discussed.

1. 1Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Chapter 3
Introduction to Quantitative Research

2. 2Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Concepts Relevant To
Quantitative Research
 Basic research
 Applied research
 Rigor
 Control

3. 3Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Basic Research
 The pursuit of “knowledge for knowledge’s
sake”
 Purpose is to generate and refine theory and
build constructs
 Findings are frequently not directly useful in
practice
 Findings can be generalized to various
settings

4. 4Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Basic Research - Case Study
 Examine the causes of body fat loss early in
the development of cancer cachexia in male
rats
 The study demonstrates the importance of
genetic research in understanding disease
pathology and provides basis for further
research in animals and in humans with
cancer cachexia

5. 5Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Applied (Practical) Research
 Scientific investigation conducted to generate
knowledge that will directly influence or
improve clinical practice
 Purpose is to solve problems, to make
decisions, or to predict or control outcomes in
real-life practice situations
 The findings are less generalizable than
those from basic research
 Complementary to basic research

6. 6Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Applied Research Case Study
 Determine the effectiveness of a nurse- managed
telemonitoring (TM) program on the blood pressure
(BP) of urban African Americans
 Findings showed that this nurse-managed
TM intervention significantly affected BP in a
population with a high incidence of hypertension
 Based on these findings, home monitoring
became part of a patient’s prescribed treatment

7. 7Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Rigor
 The striving for excellence in research
 Discipline
 Scrupulous adherence to detail
 Strict accuracy
 Precision
 Measurement involving objectively
experiencing the real world

8. 8Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Control
 Imposing “rules” to decrease the possibility
of error
 Increases the probability that the study’s
findings are an accurate reflection of reality
 Through control, the researcher can reduce
the influence or confounding effect of
extraneous variables on the study variables

9. 9Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Control (Cont’d)
 Experimental
 Quasi-experimental
 Correlational
 Descriptive
More Control
Less Control

10. 10Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Common Areas in Which Control
Might be Enhanced
 Selection of subjects (sampling)
 Reduction of subject or participant attrition
 Selection of the research setting
 Development and implementation of the
intervention
 Measurement of study variables
 Subjects’ knowledge of the study

11. 11Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Sampling and Attrition
 Sampling: process of selecting subjects,
events, behaviors, or elements for
participation in a study
 Random sampling: usually provides a sample
that is representative of a population
 Attrition: loss of study subjects (researchers
limit this to increase the rigor of their studies)

12. 12Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Research Settings
 Natural: uncontrolled, real-life settings
(descriptive and correlational)
 Partially controlled: environment that the
researcher manipulates/modifies in some way
(quasi-experimental)
 Highly controlled: artificially constructed
environments that are developed for the sole
purpose of conducting research

13. 13Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Development and Implementation of
Study Interventions or Treatments
 Intervention fidelity
 A study intervention needs to be:
 Clearly and precisely developed
 Consistently implemented
 Examined for effectiveness through quality
measurement of the dependent variables

14. 14Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Measurement of Study Variables
 Attempt to use the most precise instruments
available to measure the study variables
 Rigorously control the process for measuring
study variables to improve the design validity
and quality of the study findings

15. 15Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Subjects’ Knowledge of a Study
 Hawthorne effect: individuals may change
their behavior due to the attention they are
receiving from researchers rather than
because of any manipulation of independent
variables.
Kind of messes with the validity of your
study…don’t you think?

16. 16Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Steps of the Quantitative
Research Process

17. 17Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Steps of the Quantitative
Research Process (Cont’d)
Conceptualizing
Planning
Implementing
Communicating findings

18. 18Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Formulating a Research Problem
and Purpose
 Research problem: area of concern or
phenomenon of interest where there is a gap
in the knowledge base needed for nursing
practice
 Research purposed: generated from the
problem and identifies the specific focus or
aim of the study (often indicates the type of
study to be conducted)

19. 19Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Major Sources for Nursing
Research Problems
 Nursing practice
 Literature review
 Research priorities for funding agencies and
professional organizations
 Researcher and peer interactions
 Theory testing

20. 20Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Review of Relevant Literature
 What is relevant literature?
Sources that are pertinent or highly important
in providing the in-depth knowledge needed
to study a selected problem and purpose
 Why do it?
To find out what is already known and
identifies the knowledge gaps that exist

21. 21Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Developing a Framework
 Framework: the abstract, logical structure of
meaning that will guide the development of a
study and enable the researcher to link the
findings to the body of nursing knowledge
 Assumptions are inherent in the framework
but may not be explicitly stated

22. 22Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Formulating Research Objectives,
Questions, or Hypotheses
 Narrow the focus of the research purpose
 Often specify only one or two research
variables
 Identify the relationship between the
variables
 Indicate the population to be studied

23. 23Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Defining Research Variables
 Identified by the objectives, questions, or hypotheses
 Variables: concepts that are measured, manipulated,
or controlled in a study
 More abstract concepts (e.g., creativity, empathy,
social support) are sometimes referred to as
“research concepts”
 Conceptual definition: theoretical meaning
variable/concept
 Operational definition: how a variable will be
measured/manipulated in a study

24. 24Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Selecting a Research Design
 A blueprint for maximizing control over factors
that could interfere with a study’s desired
outcome
 The type of design directs the selection of:
 Population
 Sampling process
 Methods of measurement
 A plan for data collection and analysis

25. 25Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Defining the Population and
Sample
 Population: all the elements (individuals,
objects, or substances) that meet criteria for
inclusion in a universe and which are
accessible and can be best represented by
the study sample
 Sample: subset of the population that is
selected for a particular study

26. 26Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Selecting Methods of
Measurement
 Measurement: assigning numbers to objects in
accord with some rule
 Instrumentation: the application of specific rules to
the development of a measurement
device/instrument
 Data generated with an instrument are at the
nominal (lowest), ordinal, interval, or ratio (highest)
level of measurement
 The level of measurement, determines the type of
statistical analyses that you can perform on the data

27. 27Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Instrument Selection
 Requires extensive examination of its
reliability and validity
 Reliability: how consistently the measurement
technique measures a concept
 Validity: the extent that instrument actually
reflects the abstract concept being examined

28. 28Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Developing a Plan for Data
Collection and Analysis
 Data collection: precise, systematic gathering
of information relevant to the research
purpose, objectives, questions, or hypotheses
 Detailed procedures are developed, with a
schedule identifying initiation and termination
of the process
 Analysis plan is based on the research
objectives/questions/hypotheses; the data to
be collected; research design; researchers’
expertise; availability of computer resources

29. 29Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Implementing the Research Plan
 Intervention implementation
 Data collection
 Data analysis
 Interpretation of research finding
 Pilot study

30. 30Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Pilot Study
 A smaller version of a proposed study
conducted to refine the methodology
 Many reasons for conducting, but a pilot
study has the potential to improve the
development, funding, and implementation of
future studies

31. 31Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Data Collection
 Obtaining numerical data
 Consent forms
 Techniques
 Observation
 Interview
 Questionnaires
 Scales
 Physiological measurement

32. 32Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Data Analysis
 Reduces, organizes, and gives meaning to
the data
 Analysis techniques
 Descriptive
 Statistical
 Make predictions
 Examine group differences

33. 33Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Interpreting Research Outcomes
 Examining the results from data analysis
 Exploring the significance of the findings
 Identifying study limitations
 Forming conclusions
 Generalizing the findings
 Considering the implications for nursing
 Suggesting further studies

34. 34Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Communicating Research
Findings
 Developing and disseminating a research
report to appropriate audiences

35. 35Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Types of Quantitative Research
 Descriptive
 Correlational
 Quasi-experimental
 Experimental

36. 36Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Descriptive Research
 Purpose is to explore and describe
phenomena in real-life situations

37. 37Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Correlational Research
 Examines linear relationships between two
or more variables and determines the type
(positive or negative) and degree (strength) of
the relationship
 -1 is a perfect negative correlation
 +1 is a perfect positive correlation
 0 indicates no relationship

38. 38Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Quasi-experimental Research
 Examines the cause-and-effect relationships
among selected independent and dependent
variables

39. 39Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Experimental Research
 Examines cause and effect relationships
between independent and dependent
variables under highly controlled conditions