Quantitative Research Anslysis
Analysis of a Quantitative Research Report
This paper analyzes a quantitative research report selected because it focuses on enhancing patient education by attention to patient perceptions of the nurse educator. “Quantitative research is the formal, objective, systematic process used to describe variables, test relationships between them, and examine cause and effect interactions among variables” (Burns & Grove, 2007, p. 530). The report being analyzed is titled, “Nurses’ Body Size and Public Confidence in Ability to Provide Health Education” (Hicks, Rouhana, Schmidt, Seymour, & Sullivan, 2008). It replicates a 2006 original study by Wells, Lever, and Austin, listed among its references.
Problem Statement
Burns and Grove (2007) describe the problem statement as one “that concludes the discussion of a problem and indicates the gap in the knowledge needed for practice” (p. 550). The report being analyzed notes little research demonstrating association between nurse weight and patient confidence in health education received from that nurse, and much debate about nurse obligation to serve as role model. Abundant literature exists on the prevalence of obesity and some on nurse hesitancy to address risks because of associated emotions. The problem is important in planning effective interventions to reduce obesity that build on literature and support National Institutes of Health and Healthy People 2010 initiatives.
Study Purpose
“The research purpose is a clear concise statement of the specific aim or goal of the study” according to Burns and Grove (2007, p. 99). The report being analyzed states the purpose is “to replicate research about confidence level in receiving health teaching from either an overweight or a weight-appropriate nurse” (Hicks et al., 2008, p. 349). The statement is about a relationship between the manipulated variable weight and the response variable confidence. Replication should validate the original study and support generalizability.
This paper analyzes a quantitative research report selected because it focuses on enhancing patient education by attention to patient perceptions of the nurse educator. “Quantitative research is the formal, objective, systematic process used to describe variables, test relationships between them, and examine cause and effect interactions among variables” (Burns & Grove, 2007, p. 530). The report being analyzed is titled, “Nurses’ Body Size and Public Confidence in Ability to Provide Health Education” (Hicks, Rouhana, Schmidt, Seymour, & Sullivan, 2008). It replicates a 2006 original study by Wells, Lever, and Austin, listed among its references.
Problem Statement
Burns and Grove (2007) describe the problem statement as one “that concludes the discussion of a problem and indicates the gap in the knowledge needed for practice” (p. 550). The report being analyzed notes little research demonstrating association between nurse weight and patient confidence in health education received from that nurse, and much debate about nurse obligation to serve as role model. Abundant literature exists on the prevalence of obesity and some on nurse hesitancy to address risks because of associated emotions. The problem is important in planning effective interventions to reduce obesity that build on literature and support National Institutes of Health and Healthy People 2010 initiatives.
Study Purpose
“The research purpose is a clear concise statement of the specific aim or goal of the study” according to Burns and Grove (2007, p. 99). The report being analyzed states the purpose is “to replicate research about confidence level in receiving health teaching from either an overweight or a weight-appropriate nurse” (Hicks et al., 2008, p. 349). The statement is about a relationship between the manipulated variable weight and the response variable confidence. Replication should validate the original study and support generalizability.
References: Burns, N., and & Grove, S. K. (2007). Understanding nursing research: Building an evidence-based practice italicize the title of books (4th ed.). St Louis: Sanders Elsevier. Retrieved February 24, 2009 from University of Phoenix, NUR/429—Research Utilization in Nursing Course Web site. Hicks, M., McDermott, L. L., Rouhana, N., Schmidt, M., Seymour, M. W., & Sullivan, T. (2008). Nurses’ body size and public confidence in ability to provide health education. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 40(4), 349-354. Retrieved February 26, 2009, from University of Phoenix library. Minnesota State University Moorhead. (2007). Lesson 11: One sample statistical tests, the independent t-test. Italicize the titles of web pages. Retrieved March 14, 2009, from Minnesota State University Moorhead, Edu/602 - Statistics in Educational Research - An Internet Based Course Web site add the URL web site address so reader can locate the source.