NRS 433 Topic 4 DQ 1 Compare independent variables, dependent variables, and extraneous variables

NRS 433 Topic 4 DQ 1 Compare independent variables, dependent variables, and extraneous variables

Experimental studies are crucial in nursing practice because they help to determine how different phenomena in evidence-based practice are related. In an experimental study, the key On the one hand, independent variables are those that the researcher modifies or manipulates in order to identify their relevance to an observed occurrence. The experimenter manipulates independent factors while looking for changes in the dependent variable (Titler, 2018). In contrast, a dependent variable is what the scientist is measuring in the experiment. A dependent variable in an experiment is a phenomena or variable that is being tested (Eldawlatly and Meo, 2019). Changes in the independent variable influence changes in this variable. Independent variables are the cause in an experiment, whereas dependent variables are the result since they change in reaction to changes in independent factors. In a study to examine if a low-calorie diet lowers cholesterol levels in overweight patients, for example, the independent variable is low-calorie consumption, and the dependent variable is cholesterol level.

Extraneous variables are any other variables in an experiment that are not being explored and may have an impact on the study’s internal validity, resulting in erroneous research results (Eldawlatly and Meo, 2019). As a result, the researcher must always account for the failure of extraneous factors, which may lead to inaccurate findings about the relationship between . In the above example, if the patient’s age and other concomitant conditions were not controlled for, the study’s results could be skewed.

Topic 4 DQ 1

Apr 25-27, 2022

Describe two ways that researchers attempt to control extraneous variables. Support your answer with peer-reviewed articles.

Posted Date

May 3, 2022, 6:01 PM

Experimental studies are important in nursing practice because they help to determine how various phenomena are related in evidence-based practice. The main variables in an experimental investigation are dependent and independent variables. On the one hand, independent variables are those that are changed or manipulated by the researcher in order to determine their relationship with an observed phenomenon. The experimenter manipulates independent variables and looks for observable changes in the dependent variable (Titler, 2018). A dependent variable, on the other hand, is what the experimenter is measuring in the experiment. In an experiment, a dependent variable is a phenomenon or variable that is being tested (Eldawlatly and Meo, 2019). Changes in this variable are affected by changes in the independent variable. In an experiment, independent variables are the cause, while dependent variables are the effect, because they change in response to changes in independent variables. For example, in a study to see if a low-calorie diet lowers cholesterol levels in overweight patients, the independent variable is low-calorie intake, while the dependent variable is cholesterol level.

Extraneous variables are any other variables in an experiment that are not being investigated and may affect the internal validity of the study, resulting in inaccurate research results (Eldawlatly and Meo, 2019). As a result, the experimenter should always control for the failure of extraneous variables, which could lead to incorrect conclusions about the correlation between dependent and independent variables. In the preceding example, factors such as the patient’s age and other comorbid diseases could alter the study’s results if not controlled for.

Randomization is one method by which researchers control extraneous variables. The researcher uses random sampling to assign treatments to the experimental and control groups in order to ensure that any extraneous variables are evenly distributed among the study groups, especially when the sample size is relatively large (Falkner et al., 2018). The second approach employs blinding, in which treatments are kept hidden from both the participant and the researcher.

References

Eldawlatly, A. and Meo, S. (2019). Writing the methods section. Saudi Journal of Anesthesia. 13(Suppl 1): S20–S22. doi: 10.4103/sja.SJA_805_18

Falkner, A. Et al. (2018). Nursing Research: Understanding Methods for Best Practice (1st Edition). Grand Canyon University Press.

Titler, M.G., (May 31, 2018) Translation Research in Practice: An Introduction. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(2).

Posted Date

May 1, 2022, 6:42 PM

Please review the chart below to gain more understanding of extraneous variables.

Posted Date

May 1, 2022, 6:41 PM

I like the breakdown of the variables in this example.

What do you think? Do you find this helpful?

 

Posted Date

Apr 30, 2022, 7:14 PM

Hi Class,

Dependent and independent variables are more commonly discussed than extraneous variables (Sheppard, 2020). Extraneous variables are important to consider in research, as they can ultimately affect the results of a research study.  Sheppard (2020) asserts that the integrity of a research study could be compromised secondary to extraneous variables. As a researcher, completing comprehensive research, yet it lacks integrity is not desired. Furthermore, the credibility of the researcher is also diminished (Coates, 2014).

In an attempt to ensure the research is credible, the researcher should implement the necessary controls. Furthermore, maintaining the integrity of the research is also associated with making necessary controls. In research, if an outcome occurs because of an extraneous variable, it is then called a confounding variable (Sheppard, 2020). What is a way to control research to reduce extraneous variables?

Coates, H. (2014). Ensuring research integrity: The role of data management in current crises. College & Research Libraries News, 75(11), 598–601. https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.75.11.9224

‌Sheppard, V. (2020). Research methods for the social sciences: An introduction. Retrieved from 

Posted Date

Apr 30, 2022, 7:13 PM

Your discussion of variables is informative. To enhance your understanding, please review the following example.

As a class, let us review this example to look at the differences between dependent and independent variables. I found this example to be easier to understand given its relation to healthcare.

Posted Date

Apr 30, 2022, 7:13 PM

Replies

Hi Class,

Is there an unanswered question that remains regarding variables?

I believe that there are unanswered questions in research variables, which lead to information gaps. In nursing research, an example could be pregnant mothers who begin a research trial and represent the variable of pregnant mothers who smoke. If she and others in her variable group drop out of the trial, the data collected will be inaccurate. This can happen when people do not participate in research studies. When recruitment goals are missed or participants are lost to follow-up, this can pose a “problem for the overall reliability and generalizability of results” (Brunsdon, 2019). There are a few options for avoiding this gap. The first is to increase the sample size, and the second is to improve participant retention. Variables must be operational variables or have “some properties such as good reliability and validity, low bias, feasibility/practicality, low cost, objectivity, clarity, and acceptance” (Kaliyadan, 2019). If these variables are low on the validity scale, the research results will be unreliable, leading to unanswered questions.

Brunsdon, D., Biesty, L., Brocklehurst, P. et al. What are the most important unanswered research questions in trial retention? A James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership: the PRioRiTy II (Prioritising Retention in Randomised Trials) study. Trials 20, 593 (2019).

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Replies

When conducting research, the researcher manipulates a variable to see the outcome in another variable. The variable that the researcher can control is the independent variable. The independent variable can directly affect the result of the dependent variable. The extraneous variable is the unwanted issue of things that can skew the data in an experiment. The extraneous variable is why all studies are likely to be incorrect because every experiment has a bias (Helbig & Ambrose, 2018).

There are three categories of extraneous variables: situation, personal, and researcher-based. Situations are issues that can personally happen to the subjects in research that could not be determined before the study and are personal only to the subject or community, such as death or a natural disaster. A personal extraneous variable is an individual trait that makes every subject different such as other medical diagnoses and personal life experiences. The final and third type is the researcher-based extraneous variable. This variable is something that the researcher does that creates inconsistency from one subject, group, or community that may change collected data (Helbig & Ambrose, 2018). What makes research valuable is controlling the variable in an experiment and giving quality data and information. Researchers try their best to keep extraneous variables out of a study to provide validity and consistency to the study, but this can be close to impossible to achieve.

Keeping extraneous variables out of a study makes the study reliable and accurate. However, there is no way to make an experiment 100% free of extraneous variables because people conduct these experiments, and error is human.

However, researchers try to limit extraneous variables in experiments to include strategies such as the purification principle. The purification principle acknowledges the bias and produces a biased estimate. In addition, the purification principle recognizes the error percentage of skewed data and the percentage of data omitted in the study (Bernerth et al., 2018). Acknowledging this bias and calculating the potential of error is how researchers can control the probability of inaccurate data and skewed information from the experiment.

References

Bernerth, J. B., Cole, M. S., Taylor, E. C., & Walker, H. J. (2017). Control variables in leadership research: a qualitative and quantitative review. Journal of Management, 44(1), 131–160.

Helbig, J., & Ambrose, J. (2018). Applied statistics for health care. Gcumedia.com.

Thank you for your very thorough post,

Extraneous variables are fascinating, they can cause all types or disparities in an experiment because they are unexpected. Extraneous variables are almost impossible be controlled (McNiff & Petrick, 2018) but it is important to try for your research to be considered valid. An article on communications and issues with speech in children posed maturation as being a extraneous variable in their study (Rvachew &Matthews, 2017). The study researched apraxia in speech of an 8-year-old. They used a single case study which used evidence-based practice to decide when and how treatment should begin. With the study they understood the importance of using randomization to ensure the positive outcome (Rvachew & Matthews, 2017). Researchers know there may be differences between the study groups, but the thought of maturation came to them when they looked at the study as being complete and wondered if the improvement was from the intervention or the maturation (Rvachew & Matthews, 2017).

As stated by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, (2022) maturation is the process of maturing, growing up, behavioral changes and development.

This extraneous variable caused the researchers to do more testing to verify that the improvement in speech was from the intervention given. They did not leave their research to chance but ensured a trusted and valid outcome (Rvachew & Matthews, 2017).

References:

McNiff, P. & Petrick, M., (2018). Quantitative Research: Ethics, Theory, and Research. In Grand Canyon University (Eds.), Nursing Research: Understanding Methods for Best Practice.

 

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Maturation. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved April 30, 2022, from

 

Rvachew, S., & Matthews, T. (2017). Demonstrating treatment efficacy using the single subject randomization design: A tutorial and demonstration. Journal of Communication Disorders, 67, 1–13.

To speak more of extraneous variables, Schmidt (2018) defines extraneous variables as a variable that can influence the relationship between the independent and dependent variables that can be controlled either through research design or statistical procedures. A study was conducted by Perveen et al. (2021) to evaluate stress among nursing students during initial clinical practice. In this study there were a number of extraneous variables that contributed to the student’s level of stress other than the initial clinical practice. These variables are included age of the students, housing, type of family, religion, and monthly family income. Students in this particular study that experience stress from variables other than nursing school may negatively effect the results of the survey as they may experience a higher level of stress as compared to those who do not experience stress from any other variable. One way to control extraneous variables is through randomization. Randomization prevents the selection bias and ensures against the accidental bias and it permits the use of probability theory to express the likelihood of chance as a source for the difference of end outcome (Suresh, 2011).

Schmidt, M.(2018). Measurement, statistics, and appraisal. Nursing research: understanding methods to best practice. 

Suresh K. (2011). An overview of randomization techniques: An unbiased assessment of outcome in clinical research. Journal of human reproductive sciences, 4(1), 8–11. 

Perveen, N. ., Mondal, S. ., & Afrose, S. . (2021). Stress among nursing students during initial clinical practice in Bangladesh. OIRT journal of scientific research, 1(2), 29–35. 

In research you use information or data that assist with determining the outcome of your research. This data is termed variables. A variable can be as simple as the age of the group you are studying to something as difficult as the culture of a particular population, there are 3 types of variables, independent, dependent, and extraneous (McNiff & Petrick, 2018). The Independent variable can be manipulated in an experiment to explore the effects it has on the dependent variable. The dependent variable is expected to change as the due to the independent variable manipulation, the outcome (McNiff & Petrick, 2018). Extraneous variables can be many things it’s the variable you are not investigating but can affect the outcome of your research (McNiff & Petrick, 2018). If extraneous variables are left uncontrolled, they can lead to inaccurate conclusions.

An example of use of variable was a study to determine disabled students’ ability to learn math problems. The independent variable was called the Schema-based instruction which is teacher taught, with flexibility and observing student performance. The variable in this study was the math problem solving performance of the students, The results were that found suitable in small groups but best if there were less groups in order to give more instructional time to each group (Peltier, Et al., 2020).

 

Another example of the use of variables, the use of evidence-based management when making decisions for healthcare leaders (Guo, et al., 2017). They used 3 independent variables, attitudes towards evidence -based management, the number of employees in the organization and the job position. The variable was the use of evidence -based management response. The results state that there is high use of evidence-based management being used for making decisions and that this study also had new findings of the practice of evidence-based findings in administration in US healthcare (Guo, et al., 2017). The researcher tries to control extraneous variables by looking for correlations that might exist and the population size that was used. They also increased the number of independent variables used in these studies.

Important information for writing discussion questions and participation

Welcome to class

Hello class and welcome to the class and I will be your instructor for this course. This is a -week course and requires a lot of time commitment, organization, and a high level of dedication. Please use the class syllabus to guide you through all the assignments required for the course. I have also attached the classroom policies to this announcement to know your expectations for this course. Please review this document carefully and ask me any questions if you do. You could email me at any time or send me a message via the “message” icon in halo if you need to contact me. I check my email regularly, so you should get a response within 24 hours. If you have not heard from me within 24 hours and need to contact me urgently, please send a follow up text to

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Your initial discussion post should be a minimum of 200 words and response posts should be a minimum of 150 words. Be advised that I grade based on quality and not necessarily the number of words you post. A minimum of TWO references should be used for your initial post. For your response post, you do not need references as personal experiences would count as response posts. If you however cite anything from the literature for your response post, it is required that you cite your reference. You should include a minimum of THREE references for papers in this course. Please note that references should be no more than 5 years old except recommended as a resource for the class. Furthermore, for each discussion board question, you need ONE initial substantive response and TWO substantive responses to either your classmates or your instructor for a total of THREE responses. There are TWO discussion questions each week, hence, you need a total minimum of SIX discussion posts for each week. I usually post a discussion question each week. You could also respond to these as it would count towards your required SIX discussion posts for the week.

I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receives strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course!

Hi Class,

Please read through the following information on writing a Discussion question response and participation posts.

Contact me if you have any questions.

Important information on Writing a Discussion Question

• Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references)
• There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article.
• Include in-text citations in your response
• Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information
• Follow APA-7th edition
• Points will be deducted if the above is not followed

Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor

• A minimum of 6 responses per week, on at least 3 days of the week.
• Each response needs at least ONE reference with citations—best if it is a peer reviewed journal article
• Each response needs to be at least 75 words in length (does not include your list of references)
• Responses need to be substantive by bringing information to the discussion or further enhance the discussion. Responses of “I agree” or “great post” does not count for the word count.
• Follow APA 7th edition
• Points will be deducted if the above is not followed

• Remember to use and follow APA-7th edition for all weekly assignments, discussion questions, and participation points.
• Here are some helpful links
• The is a great resource