Introduction to the Quantitative

Research Process

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

female
74% of households have
a washing machine
33% strongly agree with
the statement....
72% expressed a like
64% claimed they would
buy....
68% had seen
advertising for....

Large samples

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

Quantitative Research

Formal, objective, rigorous, systematic

process for generating information
Describes new situations, events, or
concepts
Examines relationships among variables
Determines the effectiveness of treatments

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

Quantitative Research (contd)

Descriptive
Correlational
Quasi-experimental
Experimental

Increased
control
with type
of study

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

Descriptive Research

Exploration and description of phenomena in

real-life situations
New meaning is discovered and the
description of concepts is accomplished
Helps to identify relationships

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

Correlational Research

Looks at the relationship between two or

more variables
Determines the strength and type of
relationships
Explains what is seen
No cause and effect

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

Quasi-experimental Research

Examines cause-and-effect relationships

Less control by researcher than true
experimental designs
Samples are not randomly selected.
All variables in the study cannot be controlled
by the researcher.

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

Experimental Research

Looks at cause-and-effect relationships

Highly controlled, objective, systematic
studies
Involves the measurement of independent
and dependent variables

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

Experimental Research (contd)

Main characteristics:
Controlled manipulation of at least one
independent variable
Uses experimental and control groups
Random assignment of the sample to the
experimental and control groups

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

Concepts Relevant to Quantitative

Research

Basic research
Applied research
Rigor
Control
Extraneous variables
Sampling

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Basic Research

Research for the sake of research

Research to find out the truth
Investigating what is

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Applied Research

Attempts to solve real problems in clinical

practice
Concerns what effects the intervention may
have on patients
Applies findings in the real world on real
patients

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

12

Rigor in Quantitative Research

Striving for excellence in research and

adherence to detail
Precise measurement tools, a representative
sample, and a tightly controlled study design
Logical reasoning is essential.
Precision, accuracy, detail, and order required

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13

Control in Quantitative Research

Rules are followed to decrease the possibility

of error, and are the design of the study.
Different levels of control depending on study
Quasi-experimental studies partially controlled
regarding selection of subjects
Experimental studies highly controlled because of
precision of sample selection

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

14

Extraneous Variables in
Quantitative Research

These occur in all research studies.

They may interfere with the hypothesized
relationships between variables.
The influence of extraneous variables can be
decreased through sample selection and the
use of defined research settings.

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

15

Sampling in Quantitative Research

Process of selecting subjects who are

representative of the population
Random sampling
Each member has an equal chance of being
selected.
Has the most control

Convenience sampling

Whoever is available

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Settings in Quantitative Research

The location where studies take place

Must be defined in advance
Involved in the rigor and control of the study
Types of research settings:
Natural or field settings
Partially controlled settings
Highly controlled or laboratory settings

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Control in Quantitative Research

Type of
Quantitative
Research

Researcher
Control

Research
Setting

Descriptive

Uncontrolled

Natural or partially
controlled

Correlational

Uncontrolled or
partially controlled

Natural or partially
controlled

Quasi-experimental

Partially controlled

Partially controlled

Experimental

Highly controlled

Laboratory

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Problem-Solving Process

Data collection
Problem definition
Plan
Setting goals
Identifying solutions

Implementation
Evaluation and revision

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Steps of the Quantitative Research

Process

Research problem and purpose

Literature review
Study framework
Objectives, questions, or hypotheses
Study variables

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Steps of the Quantitative Research

Process (contd)

Assumptions
Limitations
Methodological
Theoretical

Research design
Population and sample
Methods of measurement

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

21

Steps of the Quantitative Research

Process (contd)

Data collection and analysis

Research outcomes
Communication of findings

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Research Problem and Purpose

Research problem is an area of concern

needing research for nursing practice.

The problem identifies, describes, or predicts the

research situation.

Research purpose comes from the problem

and identifies the specific goal or aim of the
study.

The purpose includes variables, population, and

setting for the study.

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Literature Review

Collecting pertinent literature to give in-depth

knowledge about the problem
Understanding what knowledge exists to
make changes in practice

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Study Framework

Framework is the abstract, theoretical basis

for a study that enables the researcher to link
the findings to nursings body of knowledge.
Theory is an integrated set of defined
concepts and relational statements that
present a view of a phenomenon and can be
used to describe, explain, predict, or control
phenomena.

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Research Objectives, Questions, and

Hypotheses

All identify relationship between variables and

indicate population to be studied
Narrower in focus than the purpose and often
specify only one or two research variables

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Study Variables

Variables are concepts that are measured,

manipulated, or controlled in a study.
Concrete variables: temperature, weight
Abstract variables: creativity, empathy

Conceptual definition: gives meaning to a

concept
Operational definition: variable can be
measured using this description

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Assumptions

Statements are taken for granted or are

considered true.
Assumptions are often unrecognized in
thinking and behavior.
Sources of assumptions are universally
accepted truths.
They are often embedded in the philosophical
base of the studys framework.

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Limitations

Restrictions in a study that may decrease the

credibility and generalizability of the findings
Theoretical limitations
Restrict the generalization of the findings
Reflected in the framework and definitions

Methodological limitations
Restrict the population to which the findings can
be generalized
May result from an unrepresentative sample or
weak design

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Research Design

Blueprint for conducting the study

Maximizes control over factors that could
interfere with the studys desired outcome
Directs the selection of the population,
sampling, methods of measure, plans for data
collection, and analysis

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Population and Sample

Population

Sample

All elements that meet

certain criteria for
inclusion in study
Example: all women
students in higher
education

A subset of the
population that is
selected for study
Example: women
students in three state
universities in the
Southwest
(Hulme & Grove, 1994)

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Methods of Measurement

Assigning numbers to objects

Application of rules to development of a
measurement device or instrument
Data are gathered at the nominal, ordinal,
interval, or ratio level of measurement.
Must examine reliability and validity of
measurement tool
Reliability: consistency of the tool
Validity: does it measure what it is supposed to
measure?

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Data Collection

Precise, systematic gathering of information

for the study
Consent must be obtained from the sample.
Researchers use observation, interviews,
questionnaires, or scales to gather
information.
Described under the procedures section of
a research article

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Data Analysis

Reduce, organize, and give meaning to data

Descriptive and inferential analysis of data

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Results

Descriptions of findings after data were

analyzed
Usually organized by research objectives,
questions, or hypotheses

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Research Outcomes

Interprets data findings in meaningful manner

Involves forming conclusions and considering
implications for nursing
Suggests future studies
Generalizes the findings

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Research Reports and

Communication of Findings

Summarizes major elements of a study and

identifies contributions of study to nursing
knowledge
Presented at professional meetings and
conferences and published in journals and
books

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Content of Research Reports

Abstractsummary of study in 100 to 250

words
Introductionproblem, purpose, literature,
framework, and hypothesis
Methodsdesign, sample, setting, tool
Resultsdata analysis procedures
Discussionfindings, conclusions,
implications
Reference listall sources cited

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Skimming a Research Report

Quickly review source for broad overview.

Read title, authors name, abstract,
introduction, and discussion.
Examine conclusions and implications.
Give preliminary judgment of study.

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Comprehending a Research Report

Type of study conductedhighlight key points

Knowledge available on topic
Expertise of researcher

Replication versus original research

Funding resources of researcher

Amount of funding
Sources of funding

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Analyzing a Research Report

Examine parts of report in depth for accuracy,

completeness, uniqueness of information,
and organization.
Was research process logically presented?
Examine discussion section for critical
arguments.

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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Initial Research Report Critique

What type of study was conducted?

What was the setting for the study?
Were steps for the research process clearly
identified?
Were any of steps missing?
Did the steps logically link together?

Copyright 2011 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

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