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.

-Positivistic are the results of quantitative research as relativists refer to as qualitative methods of research.  A positivistic method is a way to understand natural sciences while scientists search for “universal truth”. I think that positivistic method is a good method; it is based on knowledge and views the world in a realistic way.

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 theorem influential in your study or project?

-Independent variables are referred to as the experimental variable (the one that can be manipulated). While dependent variables (non-manipulated) demonstrates the effectiveness of the independent variables. The major independent variable in my research was smoking and the dependent variable would be the effect that it has on Rheumatoid Arthritis.

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 would include: preexisting genes that causes the disease, gender, age, and other environmental factors that the patient may be exposed to. You couldn’t change most of these variables but you could change some of the environmental factors. This may cause a different outcome by doing so.

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?

-Operational definitions may apply not only to measurable items, such as degrees of flexion, but also to concepts, such as independence or self-esteem. Operational definitions should always point to a specific example or referent. Examples of this would be happenings at a given place or date, processes verified scientifically, and personal experience of a given individual. This helps the research by given valid proof of what your trying to prove.   

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 are the numbers applied to non-numerical variables. Ordinal data are numbers that still are discrete but are ordered; however, the intervals between the categories are not known and cannot be assumed to be equal. Interval data also are ordered in a logical sequence. However, this time the intervals between the numbers are considered equal and represent actual amounts. Ratio data are numbers that are also continuous with equal intervals between numbers. They have meaningful zero point. 

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

-Reliability is when a study is considered reliable if, when it is repeated, similar findings are produced. Researcher in the health care would consider reliability an important component of their study because if they were testing a procedure or new drug they would want the same outcome every time it would be tested. In health care they want to know the risk up front.

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 is when a study is valid only if investigators are truly addressing the constructs they set out to study and measure. Validity needs to be addressed from to points of view, internal and external. Internal validity is where investigators actually observing and measuring what they think they are observing and measuring. The effects of history, maturation of the subjects during the study, testing of the subjects, instrumentation used in the study, subject selection, and subject mortality can all have an impact on the internal validity of a study. External validity threats are Hawthorne effect, replication, generalizability, multitreatments, researchers 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)?

-Quantitative research designs are predetermined and structured, and do not change during the course of the study. The purpose of quantitative research is theory testing, to establish facts, show causal explanations and relationships between variables, allow prediction, and strive for generalizability. This would be good to prove a hypothesis and statistical research.

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 designs fall at the other end of the spectrum. They are general in nature rather than confined, evolving throughout the study and remaining flexible to allow for change. The purpose of qualitative research is to develop concepts that will sensitize readers to cultures, describe multiple realities and interpretations, develop grounded theory, and develop an understanding of the perspectives of the actors and of that particular setting. This would be used when your not sure where your going to end up and lack statistical data.   

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 studies, the subject samples tend to be large, requiring random selection and the researcher has circumscribed contact with the subjects on a short-term basis. Quantitative research there is an obvious end point to the data analysis, and you know when you are done.  In qualitative studies, the group of participants is small and may be nonrepresentative of the larger group. The investigator usually has intense contact with the participants over a long period of time. Qualitative research you raise more questions than answered. There is usually not a clear end to the research.