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Research Design. Quantitative. Quantitative Research Design. Quantitative Research is the cornerstone of evidence-based practice It provides the knowledge for practice in a way that is measurable and that can be replicated
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Research Design Quantitative
Quantitative Research Design • Quantitative Research is the cornerstone of evidence-based practice • It provides the knowledge for practice in a way that is measurable and that can be replicated • It uses measurement to determine the effectiveness of an intervention or the relationships seen among variables and to report these with a certain level of confidence • Numbers are unambiguous and identify truths in a universally recognized way.
Quantitative Research Design • Quantitative design is used to: • Determine the effects of an intervention – it can isolate and evaluate the effects of an intervention - the independent variable on a specific outcome – the dependent variable • Measure relationships between or among variables • Measure change, or lack of change, over time
Steps in Quantitative Research • Identify the problem • Determine the purpose • Review the literature • Select a framework into which the problem fits • Formulate research questions and hypotheses • Define the study variables
Steps in Quantitative Research • Select the research design • Identify the population of interest • Select the method to use for sampling • Conduct a pilot study (if necessary) • Collect and organize the data • Analyze the data • Interpret the findings • Communicate and use the findings
Quantitative Study Designs • Characteristics of True Experiments • Manipulation – the experimenter does something to at least some of the subjects. The experimenter varies the independent variable and observes the effect that the manipulation has on the dependent variable. • Control – the experimenter introduces one or more controls over the experimental situation including the use of a control or comparison group. Scientific evidence requires making at least one comparison – comparison with the norm can be assumed
Quantitative Study Designs • Characteristics of True Experiments cont. • Randomization – the experimenter assigns subjects to a control or an experimental group on a random basis. Randomization remains the most trustworthy and acceptable method of equalizing groups. • Settings for True Experiments • Settings can be in the field or in the laboratory. Since control is important, field experiments are much more difficult because of contamination of treatments – people may talk to each other and tell what’s happening
Quantitative Research Considerations • When comparisons are made in quantitative research they can be: • Comparisons of two or more groups • Comparisons of one group at two or more points in time • Comparisons of one group under different circumstances • Comparisons of relative rankings