A researcher studies the effect of a computerized hospital charting system on nurses' compliance with charting the exact times of tracheostomy care, periodic turning of patients, and bed baths
The researcher hypothesizes that instituting the new charting system would improve compliance. The sample size is 120. The level of significance is set at .05 and the power at 80%. Findings are nonsignificant, at p = .146. How might this be discussed by the researcher? (Select all that apply.)
a. The null hypothesis was accepted. There was no difference in compliance when paper charting was replaced with computer charting, in terms of the variables of tracheostomy care, periodic turning, and bed bath charting.
b. Nurses do not chart consistently the tracheostomy care, periodic turning, and bed baths they deliver, regardless of charting system.
c. The effect size was smaller than expected; a repeat power analysis revealed that the sample size of 120 was insufficient to demonstrate a significant difference.
d. This study showed no significant difference between the two charting methods, in terms of compliance.
e. Had the level of significance been set at 0.15, the findings would have reached statistical significance.
ANS: A, C, D, E
Unpredicted nonsignificant or inconclusive results are the most difficult to explain. These results are often referred to as negative results. The negative results could be a true reflection of reality. In this case, the reasoning of the researcher or the theory used by the researcher to develop the hypothesis is in error. If so, the negative findings are an important addition to the body of knowledge. With nonsignificant results, it is important to determine if adequate power of 0.8 or higher was achieved for the data analysis. Thus, the researcher needs to conduct a power analysis to determine if the sample size was adequate to prevent the risk of a type II error. A type II error means that in reality the findings are significant, but, because of weaknesses in the methodology, the significance was not detected. Negative results, in any case, do not mean that there are no relationships among the variables or differences between groups; they indicate that the study failed to find any.
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