We’ll write everything from scratch Question Discussion Prompt Select one of the more common statistical tests used in nursing research. State which statistic you selected. What level of measurement is required to use your selected statistical test? Provide an example of how your selected statistical test could be used in a nursing research study. Statistical Test in Nursing Research Expectations Initial Post: • Length: A minimum of 250 words, not including references • Citations: At least one high-level scholarly reference in APA format from withi
Statistical Test in Nursing Research
Statistical tests are essential for data analysis and inference-making in nursing research. The choice of the test is based on the research topic, the type of data gathered, and the level of measurement. Several statistical tests are employed in nursing research. In this discussion, I will discuss one of the more common statistical tests used in nursing research, describe the required measurement level, and provide an example of how the test could be used in a nursing research study.
The Selected Statistical Test and the Level of Measurement Required
I selected the t-test as the statistical test for this discussion. To compare the means of the two groups, a parametric statistical test known as the t-test is performed (Mishra et al., 2019). Comparing the means of two related groups or two independent groups is used to assess whether there is a significant difference. The t-test requires interval or ratio-level data. Interval level data has equal gaps between values, but there is no true zero point, such as temperature measured in Celsius or Fahrenheit. On the other hand, ratio-level data has equal intervals between values, and there is a true zero point, such as weight, height, or length.
An Example
The t-test can be used in a nursing research study to compare the mean pain scores between patients who received patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and those who received nurse-controlled analgesia (NCA) after surgery (Rahimzadeh et al., 2019). After the data have been gathered, a two-sample t-test will be used to compare the mean pain scores between the two groups. One type of pain management is superior if there is a substantial difference in mean pain ratings.
Conclusion
Statistical tests are crucial in nursing research, enabling researchers to draw meaningful inferences from their data. The t-test is a commonly used statistical test in nursing research, and it is essential to understand its application and the level of measurement required. By utilizing statistical tests effectively, nurse researchers can make informed decisions and contribute to evidence-based practice, ultimately improving patient care.
References
Mishra, P., Pandey, C. M., Singh, U., Keshri, A., & Sabaretnam, M. (2019). Selection of Appropriate Statistical Methods for Data Analysis. Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia, 22(3), 297–301. https://doi.org/10.4103/aca.ACA_248_18.
Rahimzadeh, P., Faiz, S. H. R., Imani, F., Soltani, A., & Derakhshan, P. (2019). The Effect of Nitroglycerine Infusion on Postoperative Pain in Lower Limb Surgery: A Clinical Double-Blind Study. Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.5812/aapm.93848.