DQ: Identify which statistical test you would use in conjunction with your selected research design from DQ 1 to evaluate the outcomes for your evidence-based project proposal and explain why you selected this test NUR 590 Topic 4 DQ 2

 

Cognizant of  the role that training plays when it comes to improving a nurse’s competencies in EBP and thus empowering them to contribute to the development of EBP, here are certain strategies that can be undertaken from both an organizational level, to the larger professional level. At the organizational level, the organization can organize for opportunities where their nurses can get trained on evidence based practice. On the greater professional levels, professional bodies such as the ANA and the ANCC have developed certification program for nurses. By including components of evidence based practice  in the certification exams, this ensures that nurses will prepare and apprise themselves on EBP and thus, in order to earn the certification, they will have to be competent in EBP. Alternatively, the institutions can include a whole different certification for EBP, where nurses will specifically be trained on EBP, tested on the same and thus, their competency will be proven by their certification. This will ultimately improve their ability to participate in the development and implementation of EBP.

According to Parab & Bhalerao, “statistical tests are mathematical tools for analyzing quantitative data generated in a research study” (2010). There are a number or test that researchers can use which can also become overwhelming and cause confusion for the research, and that can lead to sabotaging and tainting their study. Selecting the statistical test helps the researcher understand what to look for in the study as well as help organize their data. Parab & Bhalerao (2010) stated that “Before selecting a statistical test, a researcher has to simply answer the following six questions, which will lead to correct choice of test:”.

  1. How many independent variables covary (vary in the same time period) with the dependent variable?
  2. At what level of measurement is the independent variable?
  3. What is the level of measurement of the dependent variable?
  4. Are the observations independent or dependent?
  5. Do the comparisons involve populations to populations, a sample to a population, or are two or more samples compared?
  1. Is the hypothesis being tested comparative or relationship?

Statistical testing is used explain the results of a study. The test that I would use would be the t-test. “A t-test is a type of inferential statistic used to determine if there is a significant difference between the means of two groups, which may be related in certain features” (Investopedia, n.d.). I would used this test because of show the averages of nurses to patient ratios to help determine the correlation between low staffing and high staffing and whether each has a positive or negative effect on patient health outcomes.

Reference:

Investopedia. (n.d.). T-Test. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/t-test.asp

Order this paper