Chapter 17
Understanding Research Findings
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Learning Outcomes
Discuss the difference between the “Results” section of a study and the “Discussion” section
Identify the format of the “Results” section
Determine whether both statistically supported and statistically unsupported findings are discussed
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Learning Outcomes
Determine whether the results are objectively reported
Describe how tables and figures are used in a research report
List the criteria of a meaningful table
Identify the format and components of the “Discussion” section
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Learning Outcomes
Determine the purpose of the “Discussion” section
Discuss the importance of including generalizations and limitations of a study in the report
Determine the purpose of including recommendations in the study report
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Learning Outcomes
Discuss how the strength, quality, and consistency of evidence provided by the findings are related to a study’s limitations, generalizability, and applicability to practice
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Findings
Results, conclusions, interpretations, recommendations, generalizations, and implications for future research and nursing practice
Presented in two major areas:
Results
Discussion of the results
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Findings are the results, conclusions, interpretations, recommendations, generalizations, and implications for future research and nursing practice
Presented in two major areas: the Results and the Discussion of the results.
The “Results” section focuses on the results or statistical findings of a study
“Discussion” section focuses on the remaining topics
Results Section
Also called:
Statistical analyses
Data analysis
Analysis
Should reflect analysis of each research question or hypothesis tested
Identifies tests used
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Where the quantitative data or numbers generated by the descriptive and inferential statistical tests are presented
The results section may also be called the
Statistical analyses
Data analysis
Analysis
Should reflect analysis of each research question and/or hypothesis tested.
The tests used to analyze the data should be identified. If the exact test that was used is not explicitly stated, then the values obtained should be noted.
Results Section
Relevance or usefulness of findings:
Statistically significant findings
Design strength
Limitations identified
Bias controlled
Unsupported hypothesis
Testing existing practice
Basis for continued research
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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If a hypothesis is not supported statistically, or it is only partially supported, the study is still relevant.
Unsupported studies can be used to identify limitations (problems with the study’s validity, bias, or study weaknesses).
Data from unsupported studies may suggest that current modes of practice or current theory in an area may not be supported and should be reexamined and researched further.
Role of Tables and Figures
To report results with some detail that the investigator does not explore in the text
A good table is one that meets the following criteria:
Supplements and economizes the text
Has precise titles and headings
Does not repeat the text
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Discussion Section
Discussion of the findings
The study’s limitations
Recommendations for
Practice
Future research
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Contains the
Discussion of the findings
The study’s limitations
Recommendations for practice
Recommendations for future research
Enables the research consumer to judge the validity of the interpretations drawn from the data and the general worth of the study
Recommendations Section
Suggestions for application to:
Practice
Theory
Further research
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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The investigator’s suggestions for the study’s application to practice, theory, and further research:
What contribution to nursing does this study make?
What are the strength, quality, and consistency of the evidence provided by the findings?
Does the evidence provided in the findings validate current practice or support the need for change in practice?
Critiquing Criteria for Research Findings
Are the results of each of the hypothesis presented?
Is the information regarding the results concisely and sequentially presented?
Are the tests that were used to analyze the data presented?
Are the results presented objectively?
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Critiquing Criteria for Research Findings
If tables or figures are used, do they meet the following standards?
They supplement and economize the text.
They have precise titles and headings.
They are not repetitious of the text.
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Critiquing Criteria for Research Findings
Are the results interpreted in light of the hypothesis and theoretical framework, and all of the other steps that preceded the results?
If the data are supported, does the investigator provide a discussion of how the theoretical framework was supported?
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Critiquing Criteria for Research Findings
How does the investigator attempt to identify the study’s weaknesses (i.e., threats to internal and external validity and strengths) as well as suggest possible solutions for the research area?
Does the researcher discuss the study’s clinical relevance?
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Critiquing Criteria for Research Findings
Are any generalizations made, and if so are they within the scope of the findings or beyond the findings?
Are any recommendations for future research stated or implied?
What is the study’s strength of evidence?
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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The ultimate goal of nursing research is to do what?
Develop nursing knowledge and evidence-based nursing practice
Get nurses into the practice of research
Increase the amount of quantitative nursing studies
Develop clinical evidence for practice
Prove standards of care
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Developing nursing knowledge and evidence-based nursing practice is the goal of nursing research, thereby supporting the scientific basis of nursing.
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Where are the data points interpreted in the research report?
Findings
Results
Recommendations
Discussion
Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Copyright © 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Discussion; the data points are presented in “Results” but interpreted in “Discussion.”
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