Dr. D. E. Masini
Research in Allied Health ALHE4060
Exam for Bailey Workbook.  This is an Open Book exam, and you may use any tools or documents to complete this exam.  No team testing or assistance from peers is allowed, the tenets of the ETSU Honor Code covers you’re taking this exam.    Directions: Complete this exam contextually, in that all questions should refer to Bailey's Workbook and to your study that you are handing in for credit.  You may refer to your bibliography or practical examples if the question is not addressed in your study.  This semester (as an experiment) you will post Bailey's Exam to the Student webpage.  Let me know how I can assist you...dr. m

1. Your instructor has reviewed several strategies to conduct and report on scientific research.  Discuss the procedures in the positivistic, scientific method and the components of this research paper. List two reasons why you agree or disagree with this worldview and how you might utilize it for your future research agenda.

            The positivistic perspective looks at research that is supported by numbers and data. It can be statistically proven. The relativistic view relates it using qualitative data. I like supporting research with quantitative data because numbers and data prove it. Also I like it because it has finite and defined results. I also like using a control group because you can clearly determine the results of your study. In my study you section of one groups that live with at least one smoker and another group that does not to see the differences in ear infections and severity of the infections.

2. We have stated that the researcher must remember the equation [dependent variables = independent variables]. Discuss the differences between independent and dependent variables and the influence one exerts upon the other.  How was this theorum influential in your study or project?

The dependent variable is the measured variable of the experiment. The independent variable is manipulated in the study. When the independent variable is changed the dependent variable is affected. In my study my dependent variables are the number of ear infections that occur and the severity, whereas the independent variable is if they live with at least on smoker.           

3. Create a list of the independent variables you identified in your study (Hint: these
are important client, institutional, environmental, or patient characteristics).  Give one example of a variable you could change or 'fix' in a departmental, governmental, or organizational policy.

Independent variables – age of the child, how long they have lived with a smoker, and how much passive smoke they receive.

I think parents should not be allowed to smoke around their children till the children are old enough to know how it affects their health.

4. When creating a study, one must address the operational definitions for individual studies.  Give 3 examples of operational definitions you encountered in your project.  How does this process help or hinder the researcher?

            When dealing with developing children they usually are not going to know the medical terms. If I say a their drum is damaged they may not think of the eardrum but of an instrument. If I say something about a stirrup they may think of a saddle stirrup and not a bone in their inner ear. Also if I say something abut the canal being abnormal then they may think of a waterway. I think defining terms as they relate to your research is good because there is no confusion.

5. Define the different scales of measurement (i.e. Ordinal, Nominal, Interval, Ratio). In each of these scales of measure, how would the researcher decide on which statistical analysis to use?  How did you decide what methodology to use (theoretically, you told me in METHODS chapter what you decided to do with all of the datum)?

Nominal data is data that are of no measurable information, such as names.

Ordinal data is data that has a certain order and category to it, such as years.

Interval data is data that measures the differences between variables, such as temperature. It has no absolute zero.

Ratio data is data that measures the difference between variables but can have an absolute zero, such as ages.

Quantitative data is measurable and qualitative is not. My study used quantitative data because it was measurable.

6. Discuss the types of reliability. Why does a researcher in health care consider reliability an important component of their study?

            Reliability focuses on whether a study is repeatable. Three types of reliability are: test-retest reliability, split-half reliability, and interrater reliability. Test- retest reliability focuses on whether or not the scores are similar over time. Split-Half reliability focuses on whether the instrument is reliable. Interrater reliability focuses on whether or not two different people do the study the same or not. If your reliability is jeopardized so is the entire study.

7. Define validity. Examine internal and external validities and list attributes or problems associated with validity issues (think from the perspective of a potential patient or an informed peer reviewer of your study).

Validity refers to whether a test actually measures what it is suppose to measure. Internal validity refers to everything used in the study. Things that can influence the study are: history, maturation, testing, subject selection, subject mortality, and instrumentation. External validity refers to the ability to make the research design sound and useful. Some things that influence external validity are: the Hawthorne Effect, replication, generalizability, multitreatments, and researcher effect.
 

8. Discuss the characteristics of a quantitative research design. Name and discuss at least two designs from this worldview or viewpoint.  Why would you decide to use this worldview or research methodology (instead of qualitative)?

            Characteristics of quantitative research are the use of manipulation, control, and randomization. The true experimental design uses all three characteristics. This design has the highest level of experimental rigor but the lowest level of practicality. The quasi-experimental design uses manipulation to see the effect on the dependent variable, either the control or randomization. This is has the middle level of both rigor and practicality. I would use it to back up data with statistics.

9. Discuss the characteristics of a qualitative research design. Name and discuss at least two designs from this worldview or viewpoint. Why would you decide to use this worldview or research methodology (instead of quantitative)?

            Qualitative research is described as descriptive and naturalistic. It focuses on real life scenarios. The case method research design uses theoretical bases and formats form other disciplines to do case studies. The historical research design studies how developments have progressed over time. I would use this to describe interpretative purposes.

10. Your instructor has stated that “…the best positivistic (quantitative) studies often arise from a relativist study or (qualitative) framework of inquiry.” Discuss advantages and disadvantages of qualitative and quantitative research designs.  If you had it to do over, would you change the methodology you used in your study?

            Quantitative research has a tangible, countable nature. Qualitative research searches for meaning to discoveries and has no clear ending point. I think I could do my research from a qualitative standpoint but I like having tangible evidence.