Ann Bartley Williams

Quantitative Research Designs

Fall 2013

SCHOOL OF NURSING

UCLA CENTER FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES

Fall 2013

Course Number and Title:

N207 Quantitative Research Designs for Studies of Clinical Phenomena

Number of Credits:

4 credits

Lecture and Discussion 4 hours weekly

Placement of Course:

Fall Quarter

Prerequisite Courses:

Upper division statistics course (Biostatistics 200A, 201, and 406 or Education 2308, 230C and 231A or equivalent; N204 or equivalent)

Catalog Description:

This course is designed to introduce the student to a wide array of quantitative research designs for testing clinical nursing phenomena. Emphasis will be on the dynamic interaction between the research process and theory, as well as the appropriate use of experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlational designs among diverse populations. The course will present approaches for evaluation of the validity of various research designs, with analysis of related threats to the validity of each design.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion, students will be able to:

1.  Analyze the appropriateness of specific quantitative methods to answer research questions of interest to nursing practice (research; critical thinking);

2.  Compare and contrast advantages and disadvantages of common quantitative research designs based on analysis of threats to validity of each design (research; critical thinking);

3.  Develop appropriate designs for given research questions relevant to nursing practice (research; professional role development)

4.  Critique research in their area of interest based on evaluation of four types of design validity (statistical conclusion, internal, construct, and external validity) (research; critical thinking);

5.  Posit specific research questions in their area of interest and develop and evaluate a related research design and methodology, based on a comprehensive analysis of threats to validity of the proposed design (research).

Skills/Competencies:

1.  Evaluation of research

2.  Development of research

Teaching Methods:

1.  Lecture

2.  Discussion

3.  Group analysis

4.  Critique

Instructor:

Ann Bartley Williams

Professor and Associate Dean for Research

10880 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 550

310 825 0303

Office hours by appointment most Wednesday mornings, other times PRN.

Evaluation of the student

Class preparation and participation: 30% - includes weekly written assignments and feedback to colleagues regarding their work. Details are described in document titled Assignments and Class Schedule. (Objectives 1, 2, 4)

Protocol critique: 30% - includes written critical reviews and oral presentation of a colleague’s study protocol. Details are described in document titled Assignments and Class Schedule. (Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4)

Protocol development: 40% - A 10 – 12-page paper presenting a research protocol using a quantitative design for investigating a nursing research question in the student’s area of interest. Details are described in document titled Assignments and Class Schedule. (Objectives 3, 5)

Evaluation of the course and faculty

Standardized UCLA online course evaluation.

Students also are encouraged to provide ongoing feedback throughout the quarter.

Required textbooks

Burns N. & Grove SK (2013) The Practice of Nursing Research: Appraisal, Synthesis, and Generation of Evidence (7th edition) St. Louis: Saunders ISBN: 978-1-455-70736-2

Hulley SB, Cummings SR, Browner WS, Grady D, Newman TB (2006) Designing Clinical Research. (4th edition) Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN: 978-1-60831-804-9.

Grading

A+ / 97-100
A / 94-96
A- / 90-93
B+ / 87-89
B / 84-86
F / ≥83