Discussion Post: Analyzing Descriptive Statistics
As a practice scholar, you are searching for evidence to translate into practice. In your review of evidence, you locate a quantitative descriptive research study as possible evidence to support a practice change. You notice the sample of this study includes 200 participants and is not normally distributed. Reflect upon this scenario to address the following.
a) What statistical procedure is needed to determine an effective sample size to make a reasonable conclusion? Explain your rationale.
b) Reading through the study, you observe that the researcher used a chi-square analysis to analyze nominal and ordinal data. Is this the appropriate level of statistical analysis to answer the research question? Explain your rationale.
c) Reading further, the researcher reports that the p-level led her to conclude that the null hypothesis was rejected. In your critique of the study, you determine that the null hypothesis is true. Do these findings impact your decision about whether to use this evidence to inform practice change? Why or why not?
d) How the integrative review, meta-analysis, systematic review, and meta-synthesis differ and how they are similar.
e) Why research is a critical component in solving practice problems?
The response should include a reference list. Using double-space, Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.