The specific tile of the article is as follows: Zahr, Lina Kurdali (1998). Therapeutic play for hospitalized preschoolers in Lebanon. Pediatric Nursing. 24(5), 449. Research Question. One of the most important tenets of quantitative research is to present a well developed research question followed by a testable null hypothesis. Unfortunately the author of this particular article did not present the reader with a research question. Had the research investigator presented a research question it would have been similar to the following: To what extent does there exist statistically significant differences in anxiety levels between pre-school children receiving surgery as a result of therapeutic play intervention before surgery compared to those pre-school children who do not receive therapeutic play intervention? However, the author did inform the reader of a testable hypothesis but the hypothesis statement was not in keeping with best-fit research practice as it is not stated...

The theoretical framework encompassing the research being reviewed is based on the Piaget development theory (i.e., pre-school children in the pre-operational stage of development) citing that concrete visually and auditory aids are necessary for this age group in order to garner understanding of the world around them. To this end the therapeutic intervention was built on using a puppet show to reduce pre-surgery anxiety.
Independent Variables. The independent or treatment variable is identified as the puppet show (therapeutic play) presented to the pre-surgical pre-school children.

Dependent Variable: The dependent or measurement variable of the present study is identified as the behavioral responses as measured by the Manifest Upset Scale and the Cooperation Scale, plus measured physiological responses taken during admissions and pre-opt.