Levels Of Measurement Paper

Levels Of Measurement Paper

The primary objective of conducting research in nursing is to establish the relationship between variables that explain phenomena. In this sense, research variables are aspects that operate independently or portray alterations in the event of interventions. When testing the relationships and variations within study variables, it is essential to incorporate appropriate levels of measurement to establish the natural order variables, quantify differences between values, and establish data consistency. The four primary levels of measurement applicable in nursing research are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales. Although each scale has distinct sub-themes, the four levels of measurement provide the means to categorize variables based on their attributes.

Research Question: Independent and Dependent Variables

Does the implementation of non-pharmacologic interventions improve safety for older patients with dementia in a home setting? This research question contains many independent and dependent variables considering the plausibility of applying multiple non-pharmacologic therapeutic interventions for improving symptoms of dementia. Before elaborating on the potential independent and dependent variables consistent with the research question, it is essential to identify issues surrounding patients with dementia that compromise their safety. According to Lee et al. (2019), dementia is a syndrome characterized by cognitive impairment and symptoms such as agitation, aggression, and apathy. Also, dementia patients grapple with issues such as sleep disturbance, forgetfulness, and wandering. These factors pose a safety concern to the patients because they increase their susceptibility to falls, accidents, and compromised ability to complete activities of daily living.

Home-based caregivers have various options to consider when implementing non-pharmacologic interventions for enhancing safety for patients with dementia. For instance, Lee et al. (2019) argue in the favor of therapeutic approaches such as aerobic exercise, strength training, cognitive stimulation, cognitive rehabilitation, and occupational therapies that entail activities of daily living (ADL) training and environmental adaptation. These approaches can Improve safety by improving cognitive awareness, reducing deteriorations, and reducing the prevalence of dementia symptoms such as sleep disturbance, aggressiveness, and wandering. However, the effectiveness of these non-pharmacologic strategies relies massively upon the interplay between independent and dependent variables.

Independent and Dependent Variables

When testing the efficacy of non-pharmacologic interventions in improving safety for older patients with dementia, it is possible to encounter independent variables that remain unchanged after exposing the target population to interventions. These independent variables include participants’ age, educational level, socio-economic status, gender, and ethnicity. However, these factors may create an impact when it comes to participants’ responses, perceptions, and adherence to non-pharmacologic approaches. Variables that change due to the impact of specific interventions are dependent. In this context of the research question, dependent variables include improvement of individual’s cognitive performance, improvement of sleeping patterns, management of aggressive behaviors, and improved ability to conduct activities of daily living (ADL).

Levels of Measurement

It is possible to measure variables in the research question by incorporating the four levels of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales. According to Mathews (2017), a nominal scale presents variables with no quantitative value including participants’ gender, ethnicity, age, and social security number. Secondly, the ordinal scale enables researchers to analyze and establish data’s natural order but limits the likelihood of establishing quantitative differences between values. In the context of the research question, it is possible to use the ordinal scale to measure the level of participants’ satisfaction by categorizing feedback into general categories such as less satisfied, neutral, and highly satisfied.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

Thirdly, the interval scale provides more comprehensive opportunities for measuring values and variables by enabling researchers to establish the natural order of values and identify quantifiable differences between intervals (Mathews, 2017). When answering the research question, an interval scale is essential in testing variables such as individual cognitive awareness before and after interventions like cognitive rehabilitation and stimulation. Researchers can use quantitative tests to investigate changes in the psychological status of individuals following exposures to non-pharmacologic measures. Finally, the ratio scale is the most comprehensive level of measurement because it preserves values’ natural order, identifies quantifiable differences between values, and has a ‘true zero value’ (Mathews, 2017). It is possible to use the ratio scale in computing all appropriate arithmetic operations prescribed for nominal, ordinal, and interval scales, including mean, mode, and standard deviation.

Challenges and Opportunities for Data Analysis

Ensuring data accuracy and consistency is an essential aspect of enhancing research validity. According to Ong (2018), data collection and analysis in the context of dementia-related research face challenges such as information bias due to participants’ cognitive issues such as forgetfulness. Also, the impact of confounding variables such as researchers’ attributes and inclusion criteria can pose a challenge to data accuracy and validity. It is possible to address these challenges by implementing an effective inclusion criterion, assuming the responsibility for confounding factors, and seeking assistance from participants’ proxies, including family members and home-based caregivers to ensure quality data. Finally, it is essential to use the high-ranking ratio scale to establish the natural order of values, determine quantifiable differences, and capitalize on the role of a zero value.

Conclusion

Levels of measurement enable researchers to identify interactions between variables relevant to research questions. In this sense, nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales allow researchers the identity variables’ natural order, determine quantifiable differences between values, and label variables as independent or dependent. It is possible to utilize these approaches for value measurement in investigating the effectiveness of non-pharmacologic interventions in improving safety for older patients with dementia in a home setting. However, researchers should address information bias and tackle confounding factors that affect data quality and accuracy.

References

Lee, G. E., Kim, J. Y., Jung, J. H., Kang, H. won, & Jung, I. C. (2019). Non-pharmacological interventions for patients with dementia. Medicine, 98(38). https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000017279

Matthews, N. L. (2017). Measurement, Levels of. International Encyclopedia Brown of Communication Research Methods, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118901731

Ong, K. T. (2018). Challenges in dementia studies. Alzheimer’s Disease – The 21st Century Challenge. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.72866

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

Discussion: Levels of Measurement
What is the incidence of blood clots from COVID-19 in females over the age of 35?
The above question is an example of a research question. A research question consists of three parts and guides the methods and approaches in which you will study the question to find answers. The research question includes: the question, the topic, and the population or variables. In the example provided above, the question is examining the prevalence of
blood clots from severe COVID-19 in a selected population. From this question, the variables can be assessed, considerations can be analyzed, and populations can be sampled in order to guide the research.

Photo Credit: Socha, A. (n.d.). Scale question, balance [Photograph]. pixabay.com. https://pixabay.com/photos/puzzle-last-part-joining-together-3223922/
During Week 2, you developed a research problem statement based on a topic of interest to you or your specific area of practice. Using this research problem statement, you will develop a research question. “A research question is a concise, interrogative statement that is worded in the present tense and includes one or more of a study’s principal concepts or variables” (Gray & Grove, 2020). These questions typically point to the type of study that will be conducted and serves as a guide for the research.
For this Discussion, reflect on your research problem statement. Consider the independent and dependent variables of your research problem through the construction of a research question. Reflect on the potential levels of measurement for your variables and the rationale for the labels, as well as consider the advantages and challenges that you might experience in the statistical analysis of your proposed variables.
Reference: Gray, J. R., & Grove, S. K. (2020). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (9th ed.). Elsevier.
To Prepare:
• Review your research problem statement from Week 2 to develop your research question.
• Review the Learning Resources on how to describe variables.
• Consider the levels of measurement for your variables: nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio.
• After reviewing your research question and considering the levels of measurement, analyze your classification for each variable. What was behind your reasoning for labeling the variables? How might the data be analyzed based on these labels?
• Consider advantages and challenges that you might encounter in the statistical analysis of your proposed variables.
By Day 3 of Week 4
Post your research question and describe the independent and dependent variables. Then, identify the level of measurement of both your independent and dependent variables. Provide a brief rationale for your classification of each variable. Be specific. Explain considerations of analyzing data related to each variable based on its level of measurement. Be sure to include any advantages or challenges that you might encounter in your statistical analysis of each variable and explain why.

Week Two Problem Statement: The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze evidence-based practices for ensuring safety for patients with dementia in home-based care settings.

It’s a Discussion, so it can be short and sweet with a few examples to support it.
Please add at least 3 resources.
Thank you,
Prefer the same writer.