statistics

    statistics           ection A 1 2 3 4 5 A researcher plans to investigate the impact of a self-management protocol for use with patients with long term conditions. With reference to this scenario, discuss critically the main differences between using quantitative and qualitative approaches to conduct this research. 25 marks Recruiting participants to research studies is an important stage in the research process. Critically compare the main differences between sampling procedures in quantitative and qualitative research. 25 marks A researcher is proposing to conduct a clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of a new solution with normal saline for wound irrigation. Provide a rationale for conducting this study as a randomised controlled trial and critically discuss the purpose of randomization and blinding in this study. 25 marks A researcher plans to explore what it is like being a teenager on a paediatric medical ward. Discuss critically the value of undertaking this research as an ethnographic study. 25 marks Discuss critically the development and utility of the Participant Information Sheet for the recruitment of participants to research studies. 25 marks Turn to next page 3 Section B 6 A hospital in South Wales has introduced an acute pain service (multiprofessional team who aim to improve pain management after surgery). They conducted a structured interview with 150 patients prior to the introduction of the service and 150 patients one year after. Pain was assessed using a numerical rating scale, 0-10 (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable). Data from prescription charts and nursing documentation were also collected. Results Table 1 Demographic profile of the patients Variable Pre-service introduction Mean (SD) Post service introduction (12mths) Mean (SD) P value Age 59.7 (14.6) 62.1 (13.1) 0.76 n (%) n (%) Gender Male Female 71 (47.3) 79 (52.7) 83 (55.3) 67 (44.7) 0.23 Operation Minor Intermediate Major 49 (32.7) 34 (22.7) 67 (44.6) 41 (27.3) 75 (50.0) 34 (22.7) 0.03 Mean (SD) Mean (SD) Length of stay (days) 4.1 (2.2) 3.8 (2.0) 0.38 Table 2: Pain scores, medication and patient satisfaction results Variable Pre-service introduction Mean (SD) Post-service introduction (12mths) Mean (SD) p value Pain at rest Pain on movement 5.8 (1.7) 7.2 (2.1) 3.7 (1.6) 6.1 (1.9) 0.02* 0.08* n n Medication given Non-opioids Opioids 204 109 220 95 0.29* Patient satisfaction Very dissatisfied Dissatisfied Don’t know Satisfied Very satisfied 0 1 0 67 82 0 3 0 57 90 0.43* *T-test/Mann-Whitney/Chi-square used Turn to next page 4 a. Describe the demographic profiles of the two samples that took part in the study 5 marks b. What conclusions can be drawn from the data presented? 5 marks c. Explain why the researchers used T Tests to explore some variables in Table 2 5 marks d. What are confidence intervals? Explain why confidence intervals are often reported in research. 5 marks e. In terms of clinical practice, how would you use this information?