Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses

Match the following

1. Chi square a. Uses the F statistic


2. t test b. Tests for the significance of a correlation between two
   variables


3. ANOVA c. Has independent and correlated variations


4. Pearson’s r d. Tests the significance of relationships among three or more
   variables


5. Multiple regression e. Tests for differences between groups using nonparametric
   data


6. A researcher is studying the relationship of the amount of time intensive care unit
   patients spend lying on their backs and urine output. Which test would the researcher
   use to analyze the data?
   a. Chi square
   b. Pearson’s r
   c. Phi coefficient
   d. Multiple regression

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE 13-8

How did you do? 1. e; 2. c; 3. a; 4. b; 5. d; 6. b

13.9 What Does All This Mean for EBP?

At the end of this section, you will be able to:

‹ Interpret data reported in statistical tables

‹ Differentiate between statistical significance and clinical significance

‹ Appraise data analysis sections of an article

When reading research articles, nurses must assume that mathematical calcu-

lations were done accurately because raw data are not included. What nurses

should appraise is that the correct tests were performed. Table 13-12 is a helpful

tool for appraising the analysis sections of articles.

Nurses should also appraise data presented in tables to determine whether

conclusions drawn by researchers are supported by the findings. Although many

readers frequently skip over the tables when reading research articles, this is not

a good practice. The tables contain evidence on which practice changes can be

made, and for this reason they may be one of the most important components

of the report. Nurses need to acquire skill at reading and interpreting tables.

Some hints for doing so are presented in Box 13-1.

370 CHAPTER 13 What Do the Quantitative Data Mean?