The Independent and Dependent Variables - Research Paper Example

? Research Analysis Research Design Britz, J. A., & Dunn, K. S. article utilizes quasi-experimental researchdesign in which it tries to find if there is a statistically significant connection between indicators of quality life and deficits emanating from heart failure patients. In essence, this is a descriptive as well as a co-relational study that used both exclusion and exclusion criteria to admit participants into the study. In order to collect the required data, three sources were identified which are from the subjects through interviews, patients’ charts and interviews with cardiologists. This was necessary in order to ascertain the accuracy of data and help in statistical analysis. On the part of Kramer, et al. (2008), they adopted randomized or true experiment research design in their study. It had a double blinded trial with placebo controlled comparison between children aged below six years using acetaminophen and ibuprofen. In these two groups, the two medications were alternated with placebo in order to check whether there was a 0.6o C difference between the groups. The rationale for designing this study in this way was so as to check temperature differences between the two groups under study. As such, it was proper because they were checking on the efficacy of these two antipyretic drugs. Link between the Research purpose/question and Design There is a definite link between the research question and design in the study carried out by Britz, J. A., & Dunn, K. S. (2010). The aim of this study was to check on quality of life of patients with heart failure in relation to deficits that occasionally arise from healthcare provision. According to Newell & Burnard (2006), data that is used in any scientific study should be collected or based on parameters that are a reflection of the desired outcome. In this regard, the data was collected from three different sources which touched on quality of life. In order to make the design more elaborate, personal data of the patients such as age was also incorporated into the study. The same is true for the study undertaken by Kramer, et al. (2008) who were trying to find the efficacy of two antipyretic drugs. From practice, it is clear that these two drugs acetaminophen and ibuprofen are commonly used interchangeably by pediatricians to handle fever problems in children. However, there have been doubts about their efficacy when used together. To check on these doubts, it was necessary to use a controlled double placebo randomized study design. Intervention in Each Study There were no interventions in both the studies. The Independent and Dependent Variables In the study undertaken by Britz, J. A., & Dunn, K. S. (2010), the dependent variable is quality of life whereas the independent variables were specific self-care deficits. In this study, there was no blinding because it was a descriptive study that relied mostly on data from other sources. According to Newell & Burnard (2006), descriptive studies usually use data from other sources as opposed to data that is measured scientifically in a study. In this regard, the data were either obtained from the patients through questionnaires or from charts of patients. On the other hand, the study by Kramer, et al. (2008) had temperature as the dependent variables whereas efficacy of acetaminophen and ibuprofen was the independent variable. In this study, there was blinding on both groups under study since both of them were using the two drugs. In each group, the participants were supposed to be put on one of the drugs and placebo according to the required dosage prescribed. Each group was assigned a specific drug which was supposed to be administered alternating with the placebo. The pharmacist who administered the drugs to both the groups was not blinded and therefore knew what medication each group was being given and the schedule being followed. However, for the children, their parents and guardians were blinded as to which regimen was being administered to the subjects. Potential extraneous variables that may have affected the outcomes of the study The study carried out by had several extraneous variables that could affect the outcome or results. The first one was the small size of the study group of the individuals with heart failure whom were inducted into the study. In scientific studies, the subjects should be many so that they can constitute a sufficient number of individuals for proper analysis. Closely related to this is the fact that most of the individuals in the study were from a very small geographical area. These two factors greatly affect generalizability of the results because data in scientific studies should be heterogeneous so as to reflect the whole population. In addition, the reliability of the data from some of the sources such as patients’ charts was questionable which affected the results. The study by Kramer, et al. (2008) had similar variable of a small sample size and short time in which the study was undertaken. It could be possible that if the study had been carried for longer periods, there could be variations in the trends of fever in the children. Moreover, the participants in this study had only minor ailments and therefore the results of the study may not be true for other children with many health complications. Many children that have fever problems usually are suffering from several ailments and their medication may involve other drugs which may affect the efficacy of these two drugs. Methods Used to control for confounding Variables In the study undertaken by Britz, J. A., & Dunn, K. S. (2010), the method used to control outside interference or confounding variables was by using data collected from the patients through interviews. This was mainly through reported self-care which was supposed to match that given by the healthcare givers. On the other hand, the research by Kramer, et al. (2008) used blinding to control for confounding variables. Randomization was applied in assigning the children in this study to the two groups. The children were supposed to be between six months and six years and therefore any child within that age bracket could fit in any of the two groups. In addition, drug dosage for each child was unique due to age and health status of each child which is important in determining the dosage. Each group had the medication and placebo in equal measures and was supposed to be dispensed alternately in equal measures. For this study, the randomization procedure was quite adequate because only the dispensing pharmacist who was not blinded. The other participants including parents and guardians were all blinded. Timeframes and Relative Timing of Data Collection There is no a timeframe given for the study by Britz, J. A., & Dunn, K. S. (2010). However, it is assumed that since it was a cross-sectional data collection design, it did not take a long time. Newell & Burnard (2006) posit that cross sectional data collection involves observing subjects in population traits which are then compared. In this case, the quality of life was assessed through different parameters which revolved around heart failure. In this regard, the collection of data did not take a long time and the only thing that could have taken a long period could be the interviews. On the other hand, the research by Kramer, et al. (2008) used longitudinal data collection design. As such, the timing was only six hours and it involved taking temperatures of the children after administration of the two drugs. This is quite appropriate for this study because the aim of the paper was to ascertain the efficacy of the two drugs. Drugs usually work within a specified period of time and in case of antipyretic drugs, they should be able to reduce fever after six hours. However, in order to ascertain their effectiveness, temperatures of the participants had to be checked at regular time intervals. References Britz, J. A., & Dunn, K. S. (2010). Self-care and quality of life among patients with heart failure. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 22(9), 480-487. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2010.00538 Kramer, L.C., Richards, P.A., Thompson, A.M., Harper, D.P. & Fairchok, M.P. (2008). Alternating Antipyretics: Antipyretic Efficacy of Acetaminophen versus Acetaminophen Alternated With Ibuprofen in Children. Clinical Pediatrics, 47(9), 907-911 Newell, R., & Burnard, P. (2006). Vital Notes for Nurses: Research for evidence-based practice. Boston: Blackwell. Read More