Assignment Question

I’m working on a nursing discussion question and need support to help me learn. Experimental Research: One example of experimental research in nursing is a study investigating the effectiveness of a new medication in reducing blood pressure among hypertensive patients (Zhou et al., 2021). In this study, researchers would randomly assign participants into two groups: one receiving the new medication (experimental group) and the other receiving a placebo (control group). They would then measure and compare the changes in blood pressure between the two groups, utilizing rigorous control over variables to establish causation. Experimental research involves manipulation of variables, random assignment, and control groups, allowing researchers to draw causal conclusions. Quasi-Experimental Research: In a quasi-experimental study in nursing, researchers might examine the impact of a specific nursing intervention on patient outcomes. Unlike experimental research, quasi-experimental designs lack random assignment. For instance, comparing patient outcomes before and after the implementation of a new nursing protocol in a specific hospital unit (Middleton et al., 2023). While researchers can identify correlations and make inferences, they cannot establish causation definitively due to the absence of randomization. Quasi-experimental designs are practical when random assignment is not feasible or ethical. Nonexperimental Research:Nonexperimental research in nursing often involves observational studies. An example is a study assessing the prevalence of nurse burnout in a hospital using surveys or interviews (Saravanan et al., 2022). Unlike experimental and quasi-experimental research, nonexperimental research does not involve manipulation of variables or control groups. It primarily focuses on observing and describing phenomena without attempting to establish cause-and-effect relationships. Researchers collect data through surveys, interviews, or observations and analyze the relationships among variables without intervening or manipulating them. References Middleton, S., Dale, S., McElduff, B., Coughlan, K., McInnes, E., Mikulik, R., Fischer, T., Van der Merwe, J., Cadilhac, D., D’Este, C., Levi, C., Grimshaw, J. M., Grecu, A., Quinn, C., Cheung, N. W., Koláčná, T., Medukhanova, S., Sanjuan Menendez, E., Salselas, S., Messchendorp, G., … Pfeilschifter, W. (2023). Translation of nurse-initiated protocols to manage fever, hyperglycaemia and swallowing following stroke across Europe (QASC Europe): A pre-test/post-test implementation study. European stroke journal, 8(1), 132–147. https://doi.org/10.1177/23969873221126027 Saravanan, P., Masud, F., Kash, B. A., & Sasangohar, F. (2022). Investigating burn-out contributors and mitigators among intensive care unit nurses during COVID-19: a focus group interview study. BMJ open, 12(12), e065989. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065989 Zhou, B., Perel, P., Mensah, G. A., & Ezzati, M. (2021). Global epidemiology, health burden and effective interventions for elevated blood pressure and hypertension. Nature reviews. Cardiology, 18(11), 785–802. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41569-021-00559-8

Answer

Introduction

Research in nursing plays a pivotal role in advancing healthcare practices and improving patient outcomes. Different research designs are employed to investigate various health-related phenomena, with each design offering unique advantages and applications. In this discussion, we will explore experimental research, quasi-experimental research, and nonexperimental research in nursing, providing examples and highlighting their distinct characteristics.

Experimental Research in Nursing

Experimental research is a robust approach used to establish causal relationships between variables. It involves the deliberate manipulation of one or more independent variables to examine their impact on a dependent variable (Polit & Beck, 2021). Here’s a closer look at experimental research in nursing:

Question 1: What is an example of experimental research in nursing, and how does it work?

• Experimental research in nursing often entails testing the effectiveness of interventions or treatments. For instance, Zhou et al. (2021) conducted a study to assess the impact of a new medication on reducing blood pressure among hypertensive patients. In this study:
  • The independent variable is the medication (experimental group) vs. a placebo (control group).
  • The dependent variable is the change in blood pressure.
  • Random assignment of participants into the experimental and control groups helps ensure that the groups are comparable at the outset.
  • Rigorous control over extraneous variables and a careful experimental design contribute to the establishment of causation.

Question 2: How does random assignment contribute to the validity of experimental research in nursing?

• Random assignment is a critical element of experimental research. It ensures that participants have an equal chance of being in either the experimental or control group, reducing the likelihood of selection bias. This enhances the internal validity of the study by allowing researchers to attribute any observed differences in outcomes to the manipulated variable rather than pre-existing differences between groups.

Quasi-Experimental Research in Nursing

Quasi-experimental research shares similarities with experimental research but lacks random assignment. This design is employed when randomization is impractical or ethically challenging (Polit & Beck, 2021).

Question 3: Can you provide an example of a quasi-experimental study in nursing and explain its key characteristics?

• In a quasi-experimental nursing study, researchers might investigate the impact of a nursing intervention on patient outcomes. For example, Middleton et al. (2023) conducted a study on the translation of nurse-initiated protocols to manage fever, hyperglycemia, and swallowing following stroke. In this study:
  • Random assignment is not feasible, as it involves nurse-initiated protocols across different hospitals.
  • Comparisons are made between patient outcomes before and after the implementation of the protocols.
  • While causation cannot be definitively established due to the absence of randomization, valuable insights into real-world scenarios are gained.

Question 4: What are the limitations of quasi-experimental designs, and when are they commonly used in nursing research?

• Quasi-experimental designs may have lower internal validity than experimental designs since they lack random assignment. They are often used in nursing research when randomization is impractical, such as when studying the impact of healthcare interventions across diverse settings.

Nonexperimental Research in Nursing

Nonexperimental research in nursing focuses on observing and describing naturally occurring variables without manipulating them. It is particularly useful for exploring relationships between variables (Polit & Beck, 2021).

Question 5: How does nonexperimental research differ from experimental and quasi-experimental research in nursing, and when is it suitable for research inquiries?

• Nonexperimental research differs from experimental and quasi-experimental research by not involving the manipulation of variables or control groups. Instead, it aims to observe and describe phenomena and relationships. It is suitable for research inquiries where the focus is on understanding and describing rather than establishing causation.

Question 6: Can you provide an example of a nonexperimental nursing study, and explain its objectives and methodology?

• Nonexperimental research is exemplified in a study by Saravanan et al. (2022), which investigated contributors and mitigators of nurse burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study:
  • Did not involve interventions or manipulation of variables.
  • Utilized focus group interviews and surveys to collect data on nurse burnout.
  • Examined associations and contributors without attempting to establish causal links.

In conclusion, nursing research employs various research designs, each tailored to specific research questions and contexts. Experimental research emphasizes causation, quasi-experimental research provides insights in real-world settings, and nonexperimental research focuses on describing and understanding phenomena. Understanding these distinctions is essential for conducting and critically evaluating nursing research effectively.

References

Middleton, S., Dale, S., McElduff, B., Coughlan, K., McInnes, E., Mikulik, R., Fischer, T., Van der Merwe, J., Cadilhac, D., D’Este, C., Levi, C., Grimshaw, J. M., Grecu, A., Quinn, C., Cheung, N. W., Koláčná, T., Medukhanova, S., Sanjuan Menendez, E., Salselas, S., Messchendorp, G., … Pfeilschifter, W. (2023). Translation of nurse-initiated protocols to manage fever, hyperglycemia, and swallowing following stroke across Europe (QASC Europe): A pre-test/post-test implementation study. European stroke journal, 8(1), 132–147.

Saravanan, P., Masud, F., Kash, B. A., & Sasangohar, F. (2022). Investigating burn-out contributors and mitigators among intensive care unit nurses during COVID-19: a focus group interview study. BMJ open, 12(12), e065989.

Zhou, B., Perel, P., Mensah, G. A., & Ezzati, M. (2021). Global epidemiology, health burden and effective interventions for elevated blood pressure and hypertension. Nature reviews. Cardiology, 18(11), 785–802.

FAQs

1. What is the primary difference between experimental and quasi-experimental research in nursing?
   • Experimental research involves manipulation and random assignment, while quasi-experimental research lacks randomization. Experimental research is ideal for establishing causation, whereas quasi-experimental research is employed in scenarios where random assignment is impractical.
2. Can you provide an example of nonexperimental research in nursing and its objectives?
   • Nonexperimental research focuses on observing and describing phenomena. An example is the study by Saravanan et al. (2022) on nurse burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its objectives were to understand contributors and mitigators of burnout without intervention.
3. How does random assignment enhance the validity of experimental research in nursing?
   • Random assignment ensures that participants are assigned to groups without bias, contributing to the internal validity of experimental research. This minimizes the influence of pre-existing differences between groups.
4. When is quasi-experimental research commonly used in nursing research, and what are its limitations?
   • Quasi-experimental research is used in nursing research when randomization is challenging or unethical. Its limitations include reduced internal validity due to the absence of random assignment.
5. In what situations is nonexperimental research particularly suitable for nursing inquiries, and what does it focus on?
   • Nonexperimental research is suitable when the emphasis is on understanding and describing phenomena and relationships rather than establishing causation. It focuses on observing and describing naturally occurring variables in nursing contexts.