Week 6: Quantitative Analysis and Interpretation: Correlations
As a DNP-prepared nurse, patient care will be an integral part of your practice. To meet the needs of patients, you may find yourself searching to understand the relationship between patient care and overall health, the association between patient care and clinical research, or the link between patient care and successful treatment plans. Each of these considerations all revolve around the use of correlational research.
“Correlational research is conducted to establish the direction and the strength of relationships between or among variables as they exist in a natural setting” (Gray & Grove, 2020). Through the use of different methods and designs, correlational research allows the researcher to examine relationships among variables to garner insight into theory and evidence for practice.
This week, you will explore the relationships and associations of variables in studies that conduct correlational research. You will also consider the strengths and weaknesses of different correlation techniques by analyzing data and output for a set of variables.
Reference: Gray, J. R., & Grove, S. K. (2020). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (9th ed.). Elsevier
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze research questions in relation to nursing practice problems
- Develop null and alternative hypotheses for a research study
- Justify independent and dependent variables to support research studies
- Analyze correlations and relationships predicted by statistics between variables in research studies
- Interpret output and results using correlation statistics
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
Discussion: Correlations
- “Much of the clinical research relevant to nursing explores whether a relationship exists between two patient characteristics. Understanding potentially related characteristics helps nurses better identify which physical, psychological, or demographic factors are associated with reason for concern” (American Nurse, 2011).
- Photo Credit: Getty Images
In order to explore relationships among associated variables, a DNP-prepared nurse may utilize correlational research. This type of research allows for the exploration of connections and measuring of many variables. While not used to determine causality, this research can be integral in proving theory. So, when might an issue or topic need to be explored through relationships and associations?
For this Discussion, review the Learning Resources and reflect on a particular topic of interest that may benefit from a correlational study. Formulate a research question and consider your hypotheses and prediction. Reflect on the effectiveness of conducting correlational research.
Reference:
American Nurse. (2011). Understanding correlation analysis. https://www.myamericannurse.com/understanding-correlation-analysis/
To Prepare:
- Review this week’s Learning Resources and focus on the types of research questions that can be answered using a correlational statistic.
- Brainstorm a number of healthcare delivery or nursing practice problems that could be explored using correlational statistics. Then, select one problem on which to focus for this Discussion.
- Formulate a research question to address the problem and that would lead you to employ correlational statistics.
- Develop a null hypothesis and alternate hypotheses.
- Ask yourself: What is the expected direction of the relationship?
By Day 3 of Week 6
Post a brief description of the selected problem that you identified for the focus of this Discussion and include your research question. Be specific. Explain your null hypothesis and alternate hypotheses for your research question and identify the dependent and independent variables that you would recommend to best support the research study. Then, explain your prediction for the expected relationship (positive or negative) between the variables that you identified. Why do you think that sort of relationship will exist? What other factors might affect the outcome? Be specific and provide examples.
By Day 6 of Week 6
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days in one or more of the following ways:
- Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence, or research.
- Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
- Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
- Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
- Suggest an alternative perspective based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
- Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!
