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Read
about the multiple
roles
of the clinical trial
nurse. Overview of Chapter 11:
Scrutinizing Data Collection Methods Chapter 11 describes the
major methods of obtaining research data. After an
introductory section that discusses the use of
existing data versus the gathering of new data, the
text goes on to explain that methods of gathering
data differ on four critical dimensions: structure,
quantifiability, researcher obtrusiveness, and
objectivity. They also differ in basic approaches:
self-report, observation, and biophysiological
measure. It is important to understand how much
flexibility a researcher has in operationalizing
variables and to realize that the decisions the
researcher makes should be subjected to critical
scrutiny. The chapter then describes
the major features of the primary forms of data
collection used by nurse researchers, namely,
self-reports, observational techniques, and
biophysiological measures. Structured forms of data
collection amenable to qualitative analysis are
described. The section on self-reports
discusses various forms of unstructured self-report
techniques, such as focused interviews, life
histories, and focus group interviews. With respect
to more structured self-report techniques, the
chapter presents basic information on the use of
questionnaires and interview schedules. The
differences between these two forms of structured
self-reports are described, with the intent of
providing an understanding of the situations in
which one or the other techniques might be
appropriate. The chapter also presents some basic
concepts relating to composite self-report scales
that combine multiple measures to form a single
score of a particular attribute--typically a
social-psychological attribute such as attitudes.
Other less widely used forms of self-report
(vignettes, Q-sorts, and projective techniques) are
briefly described. Finally, the strengths and
limitations of self-report techniques (including
response set biases) are discussed. It's important
to recognize the limitations of self-report
techniques as well as situations in which they are
appropriate. The next section of Chapter
11 introduces readers to procedures used to collect
data by direct observation. Observational methods
are often especially useful to nurse researchers
since many patient outcomes are amenable to
observation. Both structured and unstructured
observations are described and evaluated. Finally,
the issue of observational bases is discussed, and
criteria for critiquing observational methods are
presented. Biophysiological measures are
discussed next. These measures have assumed greater
significance to nurse researchers in the past
decades because of the growing emphasis on clinical
research. Therefore, it is important to understand
their applications, strengths, and
limitations. Guidelines for the critical
evaluation of the various data collection
approaches are presented within each major section.
Separate guidelines are also presented for
evaluating the procedures used to collect research
data. Study
Chapter 11 in the
text, pages 259-300. Use the forum
for Questions for Instructor on Part 4 in
WebCT for Nurs
400A
or Nurs
400B
to post questions about things you don't understand
in Chapter 11.
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