Levels of Measurement: Categorical vs. Continuous Data; Descriptive Statistics and Probability Theory Basics
What is the incidence of blood clots from COVID-19 in females over the age of 35?
The above question is an example of a research question. A research question consists of three parts and guides the methods and approaches in which you will study the question to find answers. The research question includes the question, the topic, and the population or variables. In the example provided above, the question examines the prevalence of blood clots from severe COVID-19 in a selected population. From this question, the variables can be assessed, considerations can be analyzed, and populations can be sampled in order to guide the research.
For this Discussion, you will analyze a selected work to identify and analyze the variables, comparisons, and sample sizes. You will explore the potential levels of measurement for your variables and the rationale for the labels, as well as consider the advantages and challenges that you might experience in the statistical analysis.
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.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
Learning Resources
Required Resources
· Bullen, P. (n.d.).
How to choose a sample size (for the statistically challenged)Links to an external site.
. tools4dev.
· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, March).
The NHSN standard infection ratio (SIR)Links to an external site.
.
· “Overview of the Standard Infection Ratio (SIR)” (pp. 4–5)
· Dang, D., Dearholt, S. L., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021).
Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model & guidelines (4th ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
· Chapter 6, “Evidence of Appraisal: Research” (pp. 147–157)
· Salkind, N., & Frey, B. (2019).
Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics (7th ed.). SAGE Publications.
· Chapter 3, “Computing and Understanding Averages: Means to an End” (pp. 65–68)
· Chapter 5, “Creating Graphs: A Picture Really Is Worth a Thousand Words” (pp. 88–118)
· Chapter 8, “Hypotheticals and You: Testing Your Questions” (pp. 167–180)
· Chapter 9, “Probability and Why It Counts: Fun With a Bell-Shaped Curve” (pp. 181–200)
Required Media
· Niedz, B. (2024).
Descriptive statistics [Video]. Walden University Canvas.
PowerPoint Presentation
· Document:
Descriptive Statistics (PowerPoint presentation)
Download Descriptive Statistics (PowerPoint presentation)
Required Resources for Topic: Infections
· Beydoun, A. S., Koss, K., Nielsen, T., Holcomb, A. J., Pichardo, P., Purdy, N., Zebolsky, A. L., Heaton, C. M., McMullen, C. P., Yesensky, J. A., Moore, M. G., Goyal, N., Kohan, J., Sajisevi, M., Tan, K., Petrisor, D., Wax, M. K., Kejner, A. E., Hassan, Z., … Zenga, J. (2022).
Perioperative topical antisepsis and surgical site infection in patients undergoing upper aerodigestive tract reconstructionLinks to an external site..
JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, 148(6), 547–554.
· Sood, N., Lee, R. E., To, J. K., Cervellione, K. L., Smilios, M. D., Chun, H., & Ngai, I. M. (2022).
Decreased incidence of cesarean surgical site infection rate with hospital‐wide perioperative bundleLinks to an external site.. B
irth: Issues in Perinatal Care, 49(1), 141–146.
· Sauer, K. (2023).
Testing for the treatment of urinary tract infections in symptomatic adult patients residing in long-term care facility: An evidence-based quality improvement projectLinks to an external site.
(Publication No. 30569808) [Doctoral dissertation, Phoenix University]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
To prepare:
· View the required media.
· It is recommended you complete the quiz prior to constructing your initial response.
By Day 3 of Week 3
Post a response including the following:
· Choose a research study, QI article, or EBP DNP project and interpret at least one continuous demographic variable and one categorical variable.
· Differentiate between comparisons made using descriptive statistics (e.g., the mean and standard deviation) and comparisons based on inferential statistics (e.g., a
t test).
· Compare and contrast the sample sizes used in the research study, the QI project, and the DNP project in terms of type 1 and type 2 errors.
· Explain the SIR rate, how it is developed, and how organizations use it.
· Using the same articles, pick one and differentiate between one descriptive and one inferential statistic used in any one of the three studies/projects.
By Day 6 of Week 3
Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts and
respond to
at least two of your colleagues on
two different days by expanding upon their reflections, making connections to your perceptions, and offering additional insights.
Reply
