Research in Nursing: How It Should Be Conducted?

Discussion 1

By analyzing the nursing research, there are two components for studies interpretation, such as statistical significance and clinical importance. They both are equally important for evaluating the favorable results and relevant clinical decision making concerning patient care and safety. Statistical methods are responsible for the interpretation, where there are multiple comparisons (Naish & Syndercombe, 2019, p. 310). This type of analysis works by comparison of the results of patients receiving the experimental intervention and those who do not receive it. Thus, statistical significance pertains to the results of the analysis (Harpe, 2015, p.151). Clinical importance is a measure related to the practical relevance of the findings in the study. Furthermore, it includes a certain level of subjectivity, as the results may be perceived differently in terms of its clinical significance. In contrast to the statistical significance, clinical importance provides the interpretation of results in the broader context of existing knowledge in that field.

Discussion 2

Together with the identification of two methods of nursing research, it is essential to analyze the difference between statistical significance and clinical importance. They are both equally important, but also have their distinctions. However, which method to use must be based on the best outcome of the received results. In case the treatment has a positive effect on the patient, it can be considered clinically significant. However, statistical significance is measured by the p-value factor. Thus, the difference in p < 0.05 is called statistically significant, which means it was improbable to happen by chance (Grove, Gray, Bomer-Norton, & Daniel, 2014). According to Bhardwaj, Camacho, & Derrow (2004), the excessively large sample can demonstrate the statistical significance despite the practical clinical feasibility (p.1523). In addition, the small irrelevant sample will not succeed in showing the important clinically significant differences. When evaluating studies and submitting the reports of significant differences, it is crucial to consider both statistical and clinical meaningfulness of the differences.

References

1. Bhardwaj, S., Camacho, F., & Derrow, A. (2004). Statistical significance and clinical relevance: the importance of power in clinical trials in dermatology. Arch Dermatol, 140(12), 1520-1523. doi: 10.1001/archderm.140.12.1520
2. Grove, S., Gray, J., Bomer-Norton, C., & Daniel, K. (2014). Understanding nursing research: building an evidence-based practice (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
3. Harpe, S. E. (2015). Interpretation and basic statistical concepts. In R. Aparasu & J. Bentley (Eds.), Principles of research design and drug literature evaluation (pp.132-154). Burlington, MA: World Headquarters.
4. Naish, J., & Syndercombe C. D. (2019). Epidemiology: science for the art of medicine. In J. Naish and C. Syndercombe (Eds.), Medical sciences (pp. 271-326). Edinburgh, UK: Elsevier.