Written Capstone Change Project

DQ1

Melissa Ball

"Variables either are the primary quantities of interest or act as practical substitutes for the same"(Kaliyadan et al.,2019). An essential part of a successful evidence-based project plan is the identification of the independent and dependent variables that are to be measured. The independent variable for my project is the factors that contribute to the nursing shortage. The dependent variable is the shortage of nurses. And when evaluating the evidence-based project proposal you will want to look at whether your hypothesis was supported. A dependent variable is something that is a variable that depends on the independent variable kind of like a cause and effect aspect. The values of both the independent and dependent variables may change due to many different contributing factors and must be recorded. And the difference is that I will be able to control the value of the independent variable, while the value of the dependent variable will only change in response to the independent variable.

Reference

Kaliyadan, F., & Kulkarni, V. (2019). Types of Variables, Descriptive Statistics, and Sample Size. Indian dermatology online journal, 10(1), 82–86.  https://doi.org/10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_468_18

DQ1

Kayla Machingo

Evaluating independent and dependent variables in evidence-based projects is imperative. The variable that is manipulated is considered the independent variable (McLeod, 2019). The independent variable within this project is the time frame in which post-operative patients are ambulated. Another variable includes utilizing the mobility log after each ambulation session. These independent variables must be collected to determine if there is a direct impact on the dependent variable. More specifically, these independent variables will help determine if this project was successful in decreasing the hospital length of stay of post-operative patients. Dependent variables are manipulated by independent variables (McLeod, 2019). More specifically, the dependent variable is the variable that is being measured (Mcleod, 2019). In this project, the patient’s length of stay is considered the dependent variable. This is important to collect, as it will be utilized to determine if early ambulation leads to shorter length of stay when compared to the previous year’s audits.

Reference

McLeod, S. (2019). What are independent and dependent variables? https://www.simplypsychology.org/variables.html

DQ1

Neoma Rice

When looking at the independent and dependent variables, you need to identify the cause (independent) and the effect (dependent) (NIH, n.d.). When looking at my proposal for my project. The cause or independent variables will be what pertains to the nursing education for that patients' dietary needs. The effect or dependent variables will be those that impact the cause. So, in this case, someone receiving their education needs to be ready to learn, they may have specific learning techniques that the nurse needs to be aware and ensure that they are component to learn and implement those changes into their diet. The reason to look at the dependent variables is those may impact the likelihood of the patient/individual with multiple sclerosis from implementing any nutritional or dietary recommendations off their assessment. If a patient is not competent or learning techniques aren't addressed ahead of time then they will be less likely absorb any of the information. 

NIH. (n.d). Dependent and Independent Variables.  https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nichsr/stats_tutorial/section2/mod4_variables.html

DQ2

Virginia Gallardo

Although it can be confusing to differentiate between the terms clinical significance and statistical significance, it is essential to know the difference between them. From a clinical standpoint, a statistically significant difference among groups is not considered crucial; one must pay attention to whether there is a difference of clinical significance (Sharma, 2021). For example, a study may demonstrate a statistical difference between a group of patients who received a specific treatment compared to those who did not. If the researcher finds that the size of the treatment effect was not significant, the results would be considered clinically insignificant. This can be a problem when the sample sizes are small, and the event rates are low because this can result in false discoveries (Mellis, 2018). If my project were to produce false findings, the outcomes would not be replicable; thus, if a nurse in another unit or organization wants to use the same interventions that I used, the nurse may not get the same results. 

When we think of the term “clinically significant,” we should consider how the findings improve the quality of life of our patients (Sharma, 2021). For my project, clinically significant findings will demonstrate improved outcomes, thus a decrease in the number of healthcare-acquired infections. When assessing the worth of our project, we must consider both statistical and clinical significance. It would also be beneficial to have other experts in the field, especially nurses, evaluate our data.

References 

Mellis, C. (2018). Lies, damned lies and statistics: Clinical importance versus statistical significance in research. Paediatric Respiratory Reviews, 25, 88–93. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.prrv.2017.02.002

Sharma, H. (2021). Statistical significance or clinical significance? A researcher’s dilemma for appropriate interpretation of research results. Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia, 15(4), 431–434. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.4103/sja.sja_158_21

DQ2

Panna Panchal

The main difference between statistical and clinical significance is that the clinical significance observes dissimilarity between the two groups or the two treatment modalities. In contrast, statistical significance implies whether there is any mathematical significance to the carried analysis of the results or not (Sharma, 2021). Clinically significant findings improve medical care, enhancing an individual's physical function, mental status, and ability to engage in social life (Sharma, 2021). Improving the quality of life in medical care deals with subjective and objective terms. Here the term objective deals with improvement in performance status, duration of remission of disease, and prolongation of lifespan, while personal improvement in quality-of-life deals with improved mood, attitude, physical and social activity, feeling of general wellbeing, and the alleviation of distressing symptoms like pain, weakness, and discomfort (Sharma, 2021).

A simple way to explain statistical significance means the probability of something happening, while clinical significance verifies to what extent that thing is happening. Statistical significance pursues to invalidate an adverse event that probably didn't happen by chance; clinical significance seeks to prove a positive and say an incident occurred in a specific, measured way. Clinical significance applies mainly in pharmaceutical trials and medical research such as vaccination testing or drug testing and has leading suggestions in psychology and psychotherapy. There's no simple equation for defining clinical significance, and numerous methods have developed over time to arrive at more accurate results. Statistical significance has broad applications anywhere one looks to learn whether something happened by chance, such as through market research with surveys or polls. It is also helpful in the early stage of testing to determine if further research is necessary.

In nursing research use of clinical significance to support positive outcomes is necessary because the positive effect will measure. Such as pre-discharge fall prevention provided by nurses to patients assembly works; with positive thinking in mind, a plan has been implemented and meant to succeed. After enhanced quality education providing methods by staff will encourage patients to act their behaviors safely to prevent falls. Staff will also change their way of teaching patients with appropriate modifications according to patients' personal needs to have positive outcomes. However, there are no ideals for calculating clinically essential changes in results. Still, health care researchers sometimes have different ethics for clinically significant changes, and minimal changes may be specific to the individual patient.

Reference.

Sharma H. (2021). Statistical significance or clinical significance? A researcher's dilemma for appropriate interpretation of research results. Saudi journal of anesthesia, 15(4), 431–434. https://doi.org/10.4103/sja.sja_158_21

DQ2

Kayla Machingo

      Clinical significance can be defined by a patient’s quality of life and how they feel regarding an intervention (Sharma, 2021). This form of significance does not focus on number or statical analysis but can be used to support positive outcomes in this evidence-based project. For example, if early ambulation makes post-operative patients feel better about themselves including less pain and improved balance, it can support the project in stating that early ambulation does lead to better outcomes. Statistical significance differs in that it focuses on the hypothesis, incorporates sample sizes, and incorporates specific measurements regarding variability (Sharma, 2021). This form of significance focuses more on numbers and facts, rather than subjective data. Both clinical and statistical significance are important to incorporate into a change project.

Reference

Sharma, S. (2021). Statistical significance or clinical significance? A researcher's dilemma for appropriate interpretation of research results. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8477766/