recruit specific persons who could provide inside
information
pyramid of 5 Ss A model showing how evidence
can be categorized from strong to weak
qualification Limiting fields of search, com-
monly using limits such as author, title, or subject
qualitative data analysis The production of
knowledge that results from analysis of words
qualitative research Research that uses words to
describe human behaviors
quantitative research Research that uses num-
bers to obtain precise measurements
quasi-experimental designs Research designs
involving the manipulation of the independent
variable but lacking random assignment to experi-
mental and control groups
questionnaires Printed instruments used to
gather numerical data
quota sampling Nonprobability sampling
method involving selection of elements from an
accessible population that has been divided into
groups or strata
random assignment Assignment technique in
which subjects have an equal chance of being in
either the treatment or the control group
random error Error that occurs by chance dur-
ing measurement
random sampling Technique for selecting ele-
ments whereby each has the same chance of being
selected
randomization The selection, assignment, or
arrangement of elements by chance
randomized controlled trials Experimental
studies that typically involve large samples and are
conducted in multiple sites
range The difference between the maximum and
minimum values in a data set
rate A measure of disease frequency in a defined
population over a specified period of time
ratio The highest level of measurement that in-
volves numeric values that begin with an absolute
zero and have equal intervals; in epidemiology a
mathematical relationship between two numbers
reactivity The influence of participating in a study
on the responses of subjects; Hawthorne effect
realist tales A real-life account of the culture
being studied presented in a third-person voice
that clearly separates researchers from participants
recall A strategy used to search for the number
of records retrieved with a keyword; the broad
“catch” of retrieved records
record Basic building block in an electronic or
print database
referential adequacy A technique used in quali-
tative research in which multiple sources of data
are compared and the findings hold true
reflexivity Using a journal to record thoughts,
ideas, and decisions during qualitative data
gathering
regional level When nurses from a large geo-
graphic location collaborate to change practice
rejection Decision not to adopt an innovation
relative risk The statistic reported by epidemi-
ologists when they conduct a cohort study
reliability Obtaining consistent measurements
over time
replicated When another researcher has find-
ings similar to a previous study
replication Repeated studies to obtain similar
results
representativeness The degree to which ele-
ments of the sample are like elements in the
population
research Systematic study that leads to new
knowledge and/or solutions to problems or
questions
research hypothesis A hypothesis indicating that
a relationship among two or more variables exists
research imperative An ethical rule stating that
nurses should advance the body of knowledge
research problem Area of concern when there is
a gap in knowledge that requires a solution526 GLOSSARY