manuscript A scholarly paper prior to its
publication
maturation A threat to internal validity when
subjects change by growing or maturing
mean The mathematical average calculated by
adding all of the data values and then dividing by
the total number of values
measurement error The difference between the
true score and the observed score
measures of central tendency Measures, such as
the mean, median, and mode, that provide infor-
mation about the typical case found in the data
measures of variability Measures providing in-
formation about differences among data within a
set; measures of dispersion
median The point at the center of a data set
mediators Extraneous variables that come
between the independent and dependent variables
member checks A strategy used in qualitative
studies when the researcher goes back to partici-
pants and shares the results with them to ensure
the findings reflect what participants said
memoing A technique used in qualitative re-
search to record ideas that come to researchers as
they live with the data
mentor One who assists with professional
growth
meta-analysis A scholarly paper that combines
results of studies, both published and unpub-
lished, into a measurable format and statistically
estimates the effects of proposed interventions
metaparadigm Four broad concepts core to
nursing: person, environment, health, and nursing
meta-synthesis A systematic review that con-
tains only qualitative studies; a scholarly paper
that combines results from qualitative studies
methodological Studies for the purpose of creat-
ing and testing new instruments
methods section Major portion of a research ar-
ticle that describes the study design, sample, and
data collection
minimal risk The probability and magnitude of
harm from participating in a research study are
not greater than those encountered in daily life
modality The number of modes found in a data
distribution
mode The most frequently occurring value in a
data set
model Pictorial representation of concepts and
their interrelationships
model of diffusion of innovations Model to as-
sist in understanding how new ideas come to be
accepted practice
model of EBP levels of collaboration A model
explaining how five levels are intertwined to con-
tribute to EBP
model testing Correlational design to test a hy-
pothesized theoretical model; causal modeling or
path analysis
moderators Extraneous variables that affect the
relationship among the independent and depen-
dent variables
mortality A threat to internal validity when
there is a loss of subjects before the study is com-
pleted; attrition rate
multiple experimental groups designs Experi-
mental designs using two or more experimental
groups with one control group
multiple regression An inferential statistical test
used to describe the relationship of three or more
variables
multitrait-multimethod testing Test for con-
struct validity in which a new instrument, es-
tablished instrument of the same concept, and
established instrument of the opposite concept are
given at the same time; strong positive and nega-
tive correlations indicate good validity
multivariate analysis The use of statistics to
describe the relationships among three or more
variables at interval and ratio levels
narrative reviews Reviews based on common
or uncommon elements of works without concern522 GLOSSARY