DNP808 Research Design and Statistical Analysis in Nursing (3 cr.)

The focus of this course is critical analysis of the researcher role, the research process, and research ethics within a nursing framework. This course includes statistical methods used in epidemiologic research and health outcome studies. The interpretation of population data is addressed, including incidence, mortality, morbidity, and efficacy. Comparative and causal methods are presented in order to design evidence-based practice studies and evaluate programs. Emphasis is placed on ethical issues encountered by researchers.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Evaluate population data based on various epidemiological methods.
2. Discuss the role of research and evidence-based practice in contemporary healthcare.
3. Utilize qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to evaluate commonly used research designs including randomized clinical trials, crossover designs, quasi experimental designs, and case control studies.
4. Describe the normal curve, standardized scores, and basis for inferential statistics.
5. Interpret the results of common statistical procedures including t-tests, chi-square tests, correlation and regression, analysis of variance, effect sizes, survival analysis, odds ratios, and meta-analysis.
6. Analyze the reliability and validity of measures, interpret graphs and charts, and interpret confidence intervals.
7. Evaluate research according to internal and external validity, appropriateness of statistics used, methodologies paradigm, and generalizability of results.