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RESEARCH METHODS There are 4 research methods: 1. Historical method focuses on the past (what was) 2. Descriptive method focuses in the present condition (what is) 3. Experimental method focuses in the future (what will be) 4. Case study focuses in the past, present, and future The last 3 is the most commonly used by nurses Descriptive method The purpose is to find new truth and to provide facts on scientific judgment. It also provides basic knowledge on the nature of objects and individuals. The instruments commonly used questionnaires and tests. However, interview schedules, observations, checklists, score cards, and rating scales are also used. Types of Descriptive Method 1. Descriptive-survey This is appropriate when the researcher is interested to know to what extent the subjects of the study obtain among themselves. A survey is useful to (1) prove the value of facts, and (2) focus attention on the most important things to be reported. Illustration Suppose the researcher wishes to determine the job satisfaction of staff nurses in private and government hospitals. Of the 200 staff nurses, 5 said very much satisfied or 4; 20 said much satisfied or 3; 35 said satisfied or 2; and 140, not satisfied at all or 1. To get the exact result of knowing to what extent the subjects or staff nurses were satisfied of their job, weighted arithmetic mean is the biostatistical tool used. X = fx f X = weighted arithmetic mean f = frequency x = weight of each option 2. Descriptive-normative - The test results are compared with the national norm or standard. Illustration The researcher wishes to determine the Nursing Aptitude Test (NAT) in certain College of Nursing. The biostatistical tools used are the mean and standard deviation. Suppose the mean (X) is 84 and standard deviation (SD) is 20. There were 950 pre-nursing students who took the NAT. only those who obtained one standard deviation above the mean (X + 1 SD) would be admitted. 1 standard deviation above the mean = X + 1SD = 84 + 20 Given X = 84; SD = 20

= 104 Within the mean = 84 1 standard deviation below the mean = X 1SD = 84 20 = 64 SD = (X-X) N Grouped data: Mean or X = a.m. + fd i n Ex. Class interval/ f/ d/fd/d/fd To interpret the foregoing computations, one standard deviation above the mean(X=1SD) is above average; within the mean, average; and one standard deviation below the mean (X1SD), below average. Suppose of the 950 pre-nursing students who took the Nursing Aptitude Test, only 300 examinees had score of 104 and above or above average; 450 examinees had score of 84 to 103 or average; and 200 had score of 64 to 83 or below average. Comparing with the National Norm of the above results, the national norm is 80 and standard deviation 19. Hence, the aptitude of pre-nursing students who took the Nursing Aptitude Test in certain School of Nursing is higher than the national norm. 3. Descriptive-status This is a problem-solving approach which seeks to answer questions to real facts related to the existing conditions. This is a method of quantitative description which determines the prevailing conditions in a group of subjects chosen for study. Many descriptive-status studies cover many traits or characteristics of the group and stresses present conditions with the presumption that things will change. Suppose the researcher wishes to determine the socio-economic status of staff nurses in private and government hospitals in a certain province. He uses questionnaire as instrument for collecting of data. Based on the responses, the researcher can determine the socioeconomic of the staff nurses whether they are above middle class, middle class or below middle class and whether the higher the position, the higher is the socio-economic status and the lower the position, the lower is the socio-economic status. 4. Descriptive-analysis This analyzes the composition, structure, and substructure that occur as units within the larger structure. The investigator ascertains the individual parts and units integrated into an internal system. He considers the forces that hold them together, and the pressure that tend to destroy the system apart. He analyzes on what makes the system works and regulates together. Suppose the researcher wants to conduct a study on the job analyses of staff nurses

employed in private hospitals and government hospitals. He compares the staff nurses employed in both type of hospitals. He analyzes the job of staff nurses in private and government hospitals if the same positions, functions, and responsibilities have the same pay and fringe benefits. Moreover, he analyzes the forces that hold them together to work in the hospital as well as the pressure of work that tend to transfer them to other hospitals and hospitals abroad. 5. Descriptive-comparative This type of research compares at least two variables and concludes which is better. For instance, the researcher wishes to conduct a study on the effectiveness of using Medicine A and Medicine B to influenza patients. He uses two groups of influenza patients. One group is treated with Medicine A and the other group is treated with Medicine B. All things are equal, except on the medicine used. Based on the findings, he can conclude that one is better than the other. 6. Descriptive-classification This research design is applicable in natural sciences subjects such as Biology, Botany, Zoology and many others. The specimens collected are classified from Phylum to species. The researcher applies taxonomic study by identifying and classifying the specimens he has gathered. Suppose the researcher wishes to conduct a taxonomic study on herbal medicinal plants found in the locality. He collects the herbal plants from the different places in the locality then identifies and classifies the herbal plants according to classes and species. 7. Descriptive-evaluative This method assesses cautiously the worthiness of the present study. Suppose the researcher wishes to conduct a study on the evaluation of the implementation of infection control in the city. The researcher requests the subjects of the study such as midwives, staff nurses, and physicians to respond on it. 8. Correlational survey This type of research determines the relationship between two variables (X) and (Y) if the relationship is perfect, very high, high, moderate, slight or negligible. The synonym of correlation is relationship. To interpret the correlation value (r) obtained, the classifications are as follows: An r from 0.00 to + 0.20 denotes negligible relationship An r from + 0.21 to + 0.40 denotes low or slight correlation An r from + 0.41 to + 0.70 denotes moderate correlation An r from + 0.71 to + 0.90 denotes high relationship An r from + 0.91 to + 0.99 denotes very high correlation An r + 1.00 denotes perfect relationship On the other hand, perfect positive with a value of 1.0 is seldom happened. This denotes that all the performance of X and Y have the same position. If he tops in test X (MS nursing), he also tops in Test Y (Research) and if he is lowest in Test X, he is also lowest in test Y.

Negative perfect correlation with a value of -1.0 is also seldom happened. The rank or position of the individuals in test X is an opposite in test Y. If his rank in test X is highest, his rank in test Y is lowest or vice versa. If not solve for spearman rho r = 1- 6 (Xr-Yr) or r = 1- 6D n-n N(N-1) Another Illustration: The specific problem is What is the relationship between job-related problems and job performance of staff nurses in private and government hospitals in relation to top management? Job-Related Problems (X) Scale Description 5 Very very serious problem 4 Very serious problem 3 Serious problem 2 Less serious problem 1 Not a problem at all Use Pearson r r = NXY (X)(Y) NX - (X) NY - (Y) Given: X = 96; Y = 78; = 283; X = 400; Y = 256 ; N = 25 r = -0.82975 or 0.83 (negative high relationship The r value obtained is -0.83 which is negative high relationship. This means the more serious the job-problems of staff nurses in relation to top management, the lower is the job performance and the less serious the job-related problem, the higher is the job performance. 9. Longitudinal survey This type of study takes a long time of study of the respondents or subjects to be investigated. Suppose the researcher wishes to get the weight-height pattern of teen-age children from 10 to 19 years old. He takes a group of ten-year old boys and girls and records their weight and height over a regular time interval, for instance, bi-annually. The researcher follows up this work to them until they reach 19 years old. Based on the data collected, the investigator sets up the weight-height pattern from the same group of teenagers investigated over a long period of time. Case Study Method Case study method focuses the study in the past, present, and future. This method is categorized by some writers in descriptive method, but it is clearer if this method is separated from other methods. Job Performance (Y) Scale Description 5 Outstanding 4 Very satisfactory 3 Satisfactory 2 Fairly satisfactory 1 Unsatisfactory

This method involves thorough investigation of a particular person, society, establishment, or any group which includes the development, adjustment, remedial, or corrective processes that properly follow diagnosis of the causes of maladjustment or of favorable development. The Cycle of Case Study 1. Identify and find out the status of facts to be studied. 2. Gather the data related to the condition associated with the given facts. 3. Analyze and identify the causal factors as basis for remedial or development treatment. 4. Apply the remedial or adjustment measures. 5. Constant follow-up to find out the effectiveness of the corrective or developmental measures applied. Illustration For instance, the researcher wishes to determine the causes of myoma patients. He gathers data through interviews and observations. He analyzes the factors related with myoma. He applies remedial treatment or adjustment measure to remove the mass of myoma, i.e., pills or operation. Constant follow-up is needed to determine the effectiveness of the remedial treatment applied. It takes a long period of time to conduct the case study method. Conclusion is difficult to arrive at due to few subjects of the study.