Peer replies week 12 Inquiry

Week 12

by  Ceria Mok Yam - Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 8:44 AM

Number of replies: 0

Correlational analysis in research, especially in the nursing field, constitute an important resource to study the association that might exist among different variables of interest without manipulating or controlling any of them, but mostly observing. It is characterized by being a method that does not consume a lot of time or finances and serve as a tool to analyze, create hypotheses and evidence based guidelines.

This method of investigation is usually applied in 2 scenarios: when researcher want to evaluate non-causal relation between two elements or when the objective is to study a causal link among the variables (Eckel, 2023). In other words, the principal purpose of correlational analysis is to observe and predict.

Once the research obtain the results, it can have three possible outcomes which are classified depending on a numerical value known as correlational coefficient which can vary from -1.00 (negative) to +1.00 (positive). These results are then classified as positive (when the variables under study increase or decrease at the same time), negative (referred as a result in which the variable gives opposite results, that is one increase while the other decrease) or non-correlational (when there result is 0, indicating no relationship among the variables) (Cherry, 2023).

In relation to the methods applied to collect data for correlational analysis we can use surveys, naturalistic observations or secondary data. Depending on the objective and variable to study, researchers need to choose the right methods of data collection. For example, in the case of investigating a population point of view questionnaire can be used; if the goal is to observe behavioral patterns in its normal setting, then the naturalistic observation is used. Finally, if the research plan to compare data that already exists, using information obtained by other researchers in similar studies the method that is used would be the secondary or archival data.

The importance of correlational analysis in nursing is given by the fact that it helps to understand the relationship between variables, serving as a guide for new line of investigations, it can provide predictive insights, evaluate interventions and provide quality improvement in terms of effort by helping to identify which areas of nursing practice needs changes and which are correctly done in order to provide better quality of care.

However, before deciding to apply this method of investigation, researcher should take in consideration the limitations of establishing causal effect among variables, because in this case the study will demand deeper experimental designs (Jansen, et al., 2021).

 

Cherry, K. (2023). Correlation Studies in Psychology Research.  verywell mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/correlational-research-2795774

Eckel, J. (2023). Correlational Study: Design, Methods and Examples [Original source: https://studycrumb.com/Correlational-research].  Study crumb. Retrieved from https://studycrumb.com/Correlational-research

Jansen, R., Hoekstra, T., Zoccali, C., Jager , K., Tripepi, G., Dekker, F., & van Diepen, M. (2021). Conducting correlation analysis: important limitations and pitfalls.  Clinical kidney journal, 2332-2337. doi:10.1093/ckj/sfab085