Topic 1
Reliability and validity are often misunderstood and not given much notice in research articles. Using any example, demonstrate how you would correctly describe these two terms to a nurse prepared at a bachelor's degree level or below. Then describe why the reliability and validity of a study is important for translation.
While a study must be reliable and valid to justify its inclusion in a work of research, not all studies which are reliable are valid, or vice versa. Reliability refers to the ability of a study to be replicated by either the researchers or independent observers. If the findings are not replicable, this means that the findings may not be generalizable as a general principle. For example, if the same person or group takes the same test twice, there should be substantial enough similarity between the two scores to declare the test reliable, versus wild swings in the calculable findings (“Reliability and Validity,” 2018). Validity, in contrast, means that the test measures what it purports to measure. A test might be reliable—for example, a student might reliably test the same on an online quiz measuring their self-esteem, based upon their television show preferences—but still not be valid.
It is important...
But even if a test produces reliable results, it must also genuinely measure what it purports to measure to support assertions regarding the subject matter. A good example of how problematic it can be when tests are not valid, even if they are reliable, are the questions which arise regarding the bias in the design of the SAT, which claims to predict a student’s ability to cope with college-level freshman work and aptitude for college in general. Scientific conclusions must be produced through adherence to the scientific method and answer a specific hypothesis.
Topic 2
What are the criteria for selecting qualitative versus quantitative resources in relation to your literature review? Which method(s) of research are you selecting? Why?
My topic of interest is culturally-specific diabetes education to reduce HBA1c kevels in Asian Americans with type 2 diabetes. Asian Americans often manifest diabetes at lower BMIs than do individuals of other races. They often have different taste preferences, attitudes towards body weight, and other…
