|
Read
about the multiple
roles
of the clinical trial
nurse. Overview of Chapter 12:
Evaluating Measurements and Data
Quality Chapter 12 is designed to
assist you in evaluating data quality. Because
quantitative data are collected in most nursing
studies, the beginning section of the chapter
introduces you to the basic principles of
measurement. A major intent here is to recognize
that quantitative measurement is neither inherent
nor arbitrary. Good measuring tools have certain
attributes for which the researcher is often
responsible. The subsequent section
explains how measurement error can interfere with
the accuracy of quantitative measurements and
indicates several sources of measurement error. The
concepts of reliability and validity are then
covered in some detail. Both reliability and
validity have multiple aspects, each of which can
be assessed differently. It's important to
recognize, however, that for any given instrument,
some ways of assessing reliability and validity are
more appropriate than others. Another important
point is that the quality of an instrument
partially depends on its particular
application. Various criteria for
evaluating qualitative data quality are described,
and techniques for enhancing and documenting the
trustworthiness of qualitative data are
reviewed. Qualitative and quantitative
researchers are equally interested in having their
data reflect reality as accurately and truthfully
as possible. Even though the terminology for
assessments of quantitative and qualitative data is
different, the underlying concepts are
similar. Study
Chapter 12 in the
text, pages 301-324. 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 12. |