Reliability – Stability, Internal Consistency, and Equivalence
Data, Methods, Analysis, and Statistics I
Data, Methods, Analysis, and Statistics II
100
Research instruments serve as?
Measurement tools and are an integral component of any nursing research study.
100
Name, and give me some examples of what scales are the lowest scale of measurement?
Nominal scale - Data such as gender, ethnicity, marital status, and diagnoses.
100
Reliability is concerned with what in research?
The consistency of the measurement method. Paper-and-pencil scale to measure depression, scores each time a subject completes it should be the same.
100
What is statistical reliability of a study instrument?
Statistical reliability is concerned with the consistency of the measurement methods.
Example, a test that measures the same scores no matter who the administers that test.
100
What is a Type I error?
A Type I error occurs when the results of research show that a difference exists but in reality there is no difference.
This is related to alpha in that alpha was likely set too high. Alpha value is the p value (probability in statistics).
200
Name some research instruments?
Physiologic or biologic, questionnaires, Q methodologies; psychologic measurements; or other specialized measures.
200
Name, and give me some examples of what scales have the highest form of measurement?
Ratio -scale measurement - Temperature, speed, height, mass or weight
200
A scale that does not produce similar scores for a subject with repeat testing is considered reliable? True/False?
False.
200
What is internal consistency in test measures?
Internal Consistency measures whether several items that propose to measure the same general construct produce similar scores.
Example, an English test might include two very similar questions about comma use, two about spelling.
200
What do you call an error that occurs when the null hypothesis is regarded as true but is in fact false?
Type II Error.
For example, Type II errors often are caused by flaws in the research methods. I.E., Study instruments that do not precisely measure the variables under study.
300
What is measurement?
Measurement is the process of assigning numbers or values to individuals’ health status.
300
Name, and give me some examples of what scales can be ranked?
Ordinal scale measurement can be ranked - Hardness of rocks, beauty, military ranks
300
What does correlational analyses offer?
Correlational analysis provides two pieces of information about the data. The nature of a relationship and the magnitude of the relationship.
Example, a correlational analysis on variables height and weight. Taller people tend to weigh more than short people.
300
What is the "Validity" of a study instrument scale?
Validity is a determination of how well the instrument reflects the abstract concept being examined.
Example, the reliability of 0.80 is usually considered a strong coefficient for a scale that has documented validity. i.e. 80% of the instrument produces the same answer..
300
What is a T-Test?
The t -test is used to examine group differences when the variables are measured at the interval or ratio level of measurement
Example, comparing the batting power of the Yankees vs the Red Sox's. Who will score more points in a game.
400
What are some examples of Measurement error?
Weight scale may not be accurate, a precisely calibrated thermometer may decrease in precision with use.
400
Name, and give me some examples of what scales lack a zero point?
Interval scale measurement - Age, income, and SAT scores.
400
What is Standard deviation (SD)?
Standard deviation is kind of the "mean of the mean" to help you find the story behind the data. SD Measures confidence in statistical conclusions.
Example, the margin of error in polling data.
400
What is the most commonly used measure of central tendency, or the sum of the scores divided by the number of scores being summed?
The mean.
Example:
Four test results - 15, 18, 22, and 20. The sum is 75 when you add the all up. 75 divided by 4 = 18.75
The mean average is 18.75.
400
What can a Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test do to help us in research?
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests for differences between means of dependent variables.
Example, our hypothesis states golf ball A is the best ball on the market. THe ANOVA would look for the differences between, and within the means and provea or disprove our hypothesis.
500
Direct and Indirect measures involves?
Direct - height, weight, temperature, heart rate, BP, and respiration.
Indirect - is an abstract idea such as pain measurement using scales (Wong baker), VS.
500
Wong Baker scale measures indirect measures. True, or False?
True
500
A reliability of 0.80 is considered a weak coefficient for a scale. True/False?0
False. 0.80 notes 80% of the instrument measures produce the same answer.
500
What does the variance for scores in a study mean?
Variance is "How the data distributes itself" which provides invaluable information on data distribution.
Example if a coin is tossed twice, variance can tell you the number of times heads will land up.
500
What is the evaluation phase used for in research?
The evaluation phase involves reexamining the findings, conclusions, limitations, implications for nursing, and suggestions for further study, which usually are presented in the Discussion section of a research report.