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1Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Chapter 8
Clarifying Quantitative Research Designs
2Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Research Design
Blueprint or detailed plan for conducting a study
Purpose, review of literature, and framework provide the basis for the design
3Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Study Purpose
To describe variables To examine relationships To determine differences To test a treatment To provide a base of evidence for practice A combination of above
4Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Design Characteristics
Maximizes control over factors to increase validity of the findings
Guides the researcher in planning and implementing a study
Not specific to a particular study, but linked to other steps of the research process
5Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Concepts Relevant to Design
Causality Multicausality Probability Bias Control Manipulation
6Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Causality
There is a cause-and-effect relationship between the variables.
The simplest view is one independent variable causing a change in one dependent variable.
Independent variable (X) causes Y (a change in the dependent variable).
7Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Multicausality
There is a cause-and-effect relationship between interrelating variables.
There are multiple independent variables causing a change in the dependent variable.
8Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Causality: A B
Pressure Ulcer
Multicausality:Years smokingHigh-fat diet Heart diseaseLimited exercise
Diagram of Causality and Multicausality
9Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Probability
The likelihood of accurately predicting an event
Variations in variables occur. Is there relative causality? Therefore, what is the likelihood that a
specific cause will result in a specific effect?
10Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Bias
The slanting of findings away from the truth Bias distorts the findings. Research designs should be developed to
reduce the likelihood of bias or to control for it.
11Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Potential Causes of Bias in Designs
Researchers Components of the environment and/or
setting Individual subjects and/or sample How groups were formed Measurement tools Data collection process Data and duration of study (maturation) Statistical tests and analysis interpretation
12Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Control
Implemented throughout the design Improved accuracy of findings Increased control in quasi-experimental
research Greatest in experimental research
13Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Manipulation
Implementation of a treatment or intervention The independent variable is controlled. Must be careful to avoid introduction of bias
into the study Usually done only in quasi-experimental and
experimental designs
14Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Elements of a Strong Design
Controlling environment: selection of study setting
Controlling equivalence of subjects and groups
Controlling treatment (Tx) Controlling measurement Controlling extraneous variables
15Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Critiquing a Study Design
Was the type of design identified? Was the study design linked to the purpose
and/or objectives, questions, or hypotheses? Were all variables manipulated or measured?
16Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Critiquing a Study Design (cont’d)
If the study included a treatment, was it clearly described and consistently implemented?
Were extraneous variables identified and controlled?
What were threats to design validity in study?
17Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Critiquing a Study Design (cont’d)
Was a pilot study performed? What was reason for pilot and the outcome?
Study feasibility Refine design or treatment Examine validity and reliability of measurement
methods
18Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Critiquing a Study Design (cont’d)
How adequate was the manipulation? What elements should have been
manipulated to improve the validity of the findings?
Based on your assessment of the adequacy of the design, how valid are the findings?
Is there another reasonable (valid) explanation (rival hypothesis) for the study findings other than that proposed by the researcher?
19Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Critiquing a Study Design (cont’d)
Identify elements controlled in the study. Identify possible sources of bias. Are there elements that could have been
controlled to improve the study design? What elements of the design were
manipulated and how were they manipulated?
20Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Types of Quantitative Research Designs
Descriptive study designs Correlational study designs Quasi-experimental study designs Experimental study designs
21Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Diagramming the Design
Clarifies variables to be measured or manipulated
Indicates focus of study: description, relationships, differences, and/or testing a treatment
Identifies data collection process: time for study, treatment implementation, measurement of variables
Provides direction to data analysis
22Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Descriptive Study Designs
Typical descriptive design Comparative descriptive design Case study design
23Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Typical Descriptive Design
Most commonly used design Examines characteristics of a single sample Identifies phenomenon, variables, conceptual
and operational definitions, and describes definitions
24Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Comparative Descriptive Design
Examines differences in variables in two or more groups that occur naturally in a setting
Results obtained from these analyses are frequently not generalizable to a population
25Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Case Study Design
Exploration of single unit of study (i.e., family, group, or community)
Even though sample is small, number of variables studied is large.
Design can be source of descriptive information to support or invalidate theories.
It has potential to reveal important findings that can generate new hypotheses for testing.
There is no control.
26Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Correlational Design
Descriptive correlational design Predictive correlational design Model testing design
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Determining Type of Correlational Design
28Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Descriptive Correlational Design
Describes variables and relationships between variables
There is no attempt to control or manipulate the situation.
29Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Predictive Correlational Design
Predicts value of one variable based on values obtained for other variables
Independent and dependent variables are defined. Independent variables most effective in prediction are
highly correlated with dependent variables Required development of theory-based mathematical
hypothesis proposing variables expected to effectively predict dependent variable
30Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Model Testing Design
Tests accuracy of hypothesized causal model (middle-range theory)
All variables are relevant to the model being measured.
A large, heterogeneous sample is required. All paths expressing relationships between
concepts are identified.
31Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Advantages of Experimental Designs
More controls: design and conduct of study Increased internal validity: decreased threats
to design validity Fewer rival hypotheses
32Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Essential Elements of Experiments
1. Random assignment of subjects to groups2. Researcher-controlled manipulation of
independent variable3. Researcher control of experimental situation
and setting, including control/comparison group
4. Control of variance• Clearly spelled out sampling criteria• Precisely defined independent variable• Carefully measured dependent variable
33Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Quasi-experimental Design
Untreated control group design with pretest and posttest
Nonequivalent dependent variables design Removed-treatment design with pretest and
posttest
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Advantages of Quasi-experimental Design
More practical: ease of implementation More feasible: resources, subjects, time,
setting More readily generalized: comparable to
practice
35Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Study Groups
Groups in comparative descriptive studies Control group Comparison group Equivalent vs. nonequivalent groups
36Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Randomized Clinical Trial
The design uses large number of subjects to test a treatment’s effect and compare results with a control group who did not receive the treatment.
The subjects come from a reference population.
Randomization of subjects is essential. Usually multiple geographic locations are
used.
37Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Experimental Interventions
Interventions should result in differences in posttest measures between the treatment and control or comparison groups.
Intervention could be physiological, psychosocial, educational, or a combination.
Nursing is developing a classification system for interventions.
38Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Critiquing Guidelines for Interventions
Was the experimental intervention described in detail?
Was justification from the literature provided for development of the intervention, and what is the current knowledge?
Was a protocol developed to ensure consistent implementation of the treatment?
Did the study report who implemented the treatment?
39Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Critiquing Guidelines for Interventions (cont’d)
Was any control group intervention described?
Was an intervention theory provided to explain conclusions?
40Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Mapping the Design
O = Observation or measurement T = Treatment
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Two-Group Experimental Design
Pretest Treatment Posttest
Experimental group O1 T O2
Control or comparison group
O1 O2
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Quasi-experiment with Several Posttests
Posttests
Pretest Treatment 1 Mo
2 Mo
3 Mo
4 Mo
Experimental group O1 T O2 O3 O4 O5
Control or comparison group
O1 O2 O3 O4 O5
43Copyright © 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Replication Research
Replication or repeating a study to confirm original findings
Establishes credibility for the findings Provides support for theory development Encouraged for novice or new researchers
First clinical research project