Category: evidence based practice

Data analysis is key for discovering credible findings from implementing nursing studies. Discussion and conclusions can be made about the meaning of the findings from the data analysis.
Share what you learned about descriptive analysis (statistics), inferential analysis (statistics), and qualitative analysis of data; include something that you learned that was interesting to you and your thoughts on why data analysis is necessary for discovering credible findings for nursing.
Compare clinical significance and statistical significance; include which one is more meaningful to you when considering application of findings to nursing practice.
Descriptive Analysis (Statistics)
Nurses need to understand basic scientific procedures and research activities (QSEN, 2020). Some of this information you should recognize from completing your pre-requisites of math/statistics before taking this course. The purpose of descriptive statistics is to describe; one useful goal descriptive statistics is used is to quickly understand the characteristics of the sample (participants/subjects/people) in the study. Researchers can categorize descriptive data analysis many differing ways (Houser, 2018; Nieswiadomy & Bailey, 2018; Schmidt & Brown, 2019):
Descriptive analysis of data is helpful in determining the characteristics of subjects and variables (Houser, 2018). Being able to competently read descriptive analysis will prove to be a valuable skill when considering if the results can be applicable to a particular practice setting.
Pie charts
Histograms
Line graphs
Bar charts
Scatter plots
Tables
Diagrams
Scattergrams
Percentile Rank
Quartiles
Standardized scores
Correlational coefficients
Range
Standard deviation
Variance
Mean
Median
Mode
Frequency (table, distribution)
Counts
Percentages
Proportions
Rates
Quantitative Analysis (Inferential Statistics)
The purpose is to determine the strength and the applicability of findings to the general population (Houser, 2018; Polit & Beck, 2018). The calculation processes and procedures are organized, systematic, and mathematical. “Inferential statistical tests are based on the assumption that chance or sampling error/random errors is the only explanation; however, researchers want to establish that chance/error is not the reason” (Nieswiadomy & Bailey, 2018, p. 250). For nursing studies, incorporating this type of statistical testing is important in rendering strong, sound, reliable results.
Inferential statistics yields robust, scientific findings. By using inferential stats, results can be determined to be statistically and/or clinically significant (Houser, 2018). Read Houser chapter 13 for more information.
Being able to competently read inferential analysis will prove to be a valuable skill when reading research studies and trying to determine if the findings are significant and applicable to practice.
Qualitative Analysis (Results)
Evidence-based practice emphasizes equality within all areas of scientific methodology, clinical experience, and patient preferences; therefore, one does not trump the other in terms of significance. Qualitative studies are valuable to nursing practice as these studies are designed to provide insight towards the latter two, both clinical experience and patient preferences.
When reading research studies that describes the meaning of an experience, the methods or procedures should be clearly described; yet may seem to unfold during the description. “Some qualitative research may or may not report the type/category of qualitative design used in the study; therefore, the study may be labeled qualitative or content analysis” (Houser, 2018, p. 411); some research articles may be labeled by the classification of qualitative design such as ethnography, grounded theory, phenomenology, or case research. All qualitative studies should outline some of the following methods (Houser, 2018; Polit & Beck):
Sampling procedures
Inclusion criteria
Data collection techniques
Overview of the analysis
Data analysis (should begin with data collection)
Interpreting data collected
comprehening
synthesizing
theorizing
recontextualizing
Data management (should begin early)
Content analysis
catalog, code, codebook
reviewed for themes/patterns/common threads
analysis—uses an analytic method
report themes with supporting quotes
main themes and sub-themes should be reported
interpretation of themes
conclusions are based on themes
overall implications for nursing practice is described in terms of understanding the lived experience
Includes efforts to establish/enhance qualitative validity:
Trustworthiness
Credibility
Dependability
Confirmability
Bracketing
Purposive sampling
Saturation
Triangulation, member checking, peer debriefing
Prolonged engagement
External checks
Inter-rater and inter-coder reliability
Inquiry audit/Audit trail
Decision trail
Deep level detail
Even though qualitative studies may be challenging due to the use of unfolding techniques and the large amounts of word data, findings are valuable in helping to understand and determine the patient or informant’s perceptions, feelings, and experiences. These types of studies are just as valuable as quantitative studies in helping to establish an evidence-based nursing practice.

Purpose of the Study: Using information from the required article and your own words, thoroughly summarize the purpose of the study. Describe what the study is about. Thoroughly summarize and include excellent details for the criteria.
Type of Research & the Design: Using information from the required article and your own words, thoroughly summarize the description of the type of research and the design of the study. Include how it supports the purpose (aim or intent) of the study. Thoroughly summarize and include excellent details for the criteria.
Sample: Using information from the required article and your own words, summarizethe population (sample) for the study; include key characteristics, sample size, sampling technique. Thoroughly summarize and include excellent details for the criteria.
Data Collection: Using information from the required article and your own words, summarize one data that was collected and how the data was collected from the study. Thoroughly summarize and include excellent details for the criteria.
Data Analysis: Using information from the required article and your own words, summarize one of the data analysis/tests performed or one method of data analysis from the study; include what you know/learned about the descriptive or statistical test or data analysis method. Thoroughly summarize and include excellent details for the criteria.
Limitations: Using information from the required article and your own words, summarize one limitation reported in the study. Thoroughly summarize and include excellent details for the criteria.
Findings/Discussion: Using information from the required article and your own words, summarize one of the authors’ findings/discussion reported in the study. Include one interesting detail you learned from reading the study. Thoroughly summarize and include excellent details for the criteria.
Reading Research Literature: Summarize why it is important for you to read and understand research literature. Summarize what you learned from completing the reading research literature activity worksheet. Thoroughly summarize and include excellent details for the criteria.
Use APA in-text citations. No more than two direct quotes can be used
Article:
Kantar, L. (2024). Clinical instruction in nursing: A leveraging tool. The Journal of Nursing Education, 63(3), 163–170. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20240108-04

Locate a Quantitative research article to critique. It is recommended that you utilize the LIRN Library for this activity.
You can access the LIRN Library in the Canvas navigation bar.
Create a Microsoft Word document and paste in the following sections. Then critique the quantitative research article by providing content in the sections.
1. What makes this a Quantitative
Research article?
2. What is the title APA citation for the article you are critiquing?
3. Problem Statement (rationale why study needs to be conducted, background, and importance).
4. Research Questions and/or
Hypotheses (clearly written).
5. Research Methodology/Design (experimental, quasi-experimental, descriptive, correlational, RTC).
6. Setting (i.e., acute hospital, geographical location, etc.).
7. How did researchers select the sample:
• Inclusion Criteria:
• Exclusion Criteria:
• What type of sampling
(convenience, purposive, random selection):
• Sample size and characteristics:
• Assignment to experimental or control group (how, by whom, when):
8. Implications and conclusions.
*Submit a copy of the full text article used for the assignment along with your paper.*

Locate an article on a nursing-related topic you are interested in. Then, write a
1-2 page paper reporting your findings about the article’s authenticity.
Include in your report the following information and answers to the following questions:
• Reference
• Decision
• Fake
• Pseudo
• Authentic
• Justification
• Have you ever questioned whether published information sources are authentic? Why or why not?
• What criteria have you used to judge the quality of an information source?
• What are the most important qualities that an information source must have for you to consider using it?
• What are key challenges you have faced in finding authentic sources of information?
• In the future, what qualities of information sources do you envision as being key to your clinical decision-making?