Question

A). One of the important questions that we should ask about the representativeness of a sample is whether we have an adequate sample size to detect statistical significance. Describe briefly what is the relationship between sample size and the representativeness of a sample.

B). The nurse is required by law to practice in a safe and effective manner to ensure that patients are protected from harm and benefit from nursing care. Nurses must be lifelong learners to ensure that they are well informed about current best practices relevant to the clinical environment and patients that they are treating. How does continuing education contribute to improved patient outcomes?

C). Statistics allows one to use analytic methods to critically appraise existing literature and other evidence to determine and implement the best evidence for practice that will result in better patient outcome. Explain why this is important.

Answer 1

QUESTIONS A

Sample size directly influences the representativeness of the sample in a research study .Working with sample involves various steps like sample estimation, sample frame identification and selection of sampling method to done in the study. An appropriate sample size determines the efficiency of the research and makes the data more reliable. A very small sample size undetermines the internal and external validity of the research study. A very large sample size tend to transform small differences into statistically significant differences.,even if they are not clinically significant. In this case the researchers are misguided by the sample representativeness. Every study require accurate estimation of the sample size according to the type of the study to ensure the representativeness of the sample and to avoid the sampling errors.

QUESTION B

Continuing nursing education includes planned learning experiences which leads to the improvement of knowledge, skills ,critical thinking, attitude and problem solving abilities of nurses by means of seminars, workshop, conferences.It enhances and encourages the nurses to be empowered and professionally advanced . Continuing education in nursing will improve the patient outcomes by the evidence based practice (EBP).Evidence based practice allows nurses to structure how to make accurate, timely and appropriate clinical decisions. Evidence based practice is a problem solving approach -  research based. Steps in the evidence based practice allows the nurses to identify the clinical question, to collect, critique ,integrate ,evaluate the evidences and share the outcomes of the evidence based practice changes with others.

QUESTION C

Analytical methods   in health care helps to collect ,study and extract relevant data from complex data. Statistics allows the representation of the data much easier and understandable. Quantifying data is a complex process which becomes easier by the use of analytical methods. Some of the methods used in clinical researches are experimental approaches which include randomized controlled trials , cohort studies , case control studies etc. Statistics also helps to identify the current trends in health care .For example analytical methods are used in identifying the trends in covid 19 pandemic effect. Statistical methods also aids the development of more research tools and evidences. Expiremental and Non experimental research designs are used for the appraisal of existing research evidence and for exploring further evidence. Logistics regression are used for the identification of causal and risk factors of diseases. Many clinical trial are going with the development of vaccines for covid 19. Thus all the statistical analytical methods overall contribute to the improved patient outcomes , best clinical evidences and appraisal of existing evidences.