LDR 615 Topic 7 DQ 2
DQ During a change initiative, what can organizations use to identify or verify truly objective and measureable success?
Independent variables are something that can be manipulated in a research study. It is checking to see if you make changes to the study will it have the same/different effect. (Cherry 2020). For example, if you are doing a medication study giving a high dose, low dose, and placebo, you are manipulating the outcome of the study because you are controlling the outcome. A dependent variable is something that is being tested in a study, the dependent variable would be measuring blood pressures against medication use, the dependent would be blood pressure results. (Cherry 2022) The dependent and independent variable works together for example the independent would be the amount of blood pressure medications given to the person and the dependent is blood pressure results. The change comes with the manipulated variable if the patient receives a high dose of blood pressure meds the blood pressure will be lower compared to not receiving any and having no change. The extraneous variable is any variable that is not being tested but it can affect the outcome of the study, it is uncontrolled and can lead to not valid results. (Zach 2020) for example like the other example blood pressure meds and results of blood measure, the extraneous variable would be if the participants are diets and exercising that can affect the results or if the patient is consuming extra salt, you didn’t plan on including that in your research, but it can change results if these things are happening. To controlled extraneous variables, you must know what type of study is being done. One method is random sampling which you will divide up the controlled group and experimental group by doing a random name draw. They can also do the standardized procedure which can basically equal out the environment for everyone. For example, with the blood pressure and medication study, the participants can either start diets and exercising or that can make another controlled group.
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Although this past week of class seems as if it just flew right by, it was an excellent week of learning! As we discussed and evaluated, creating short term wins during times of change produces several beneficial outcomes. Equally as important, identifying meaningful measures of success can also influence the success of a change initiative. I think that the ultimate key here is to begin with the end in mind and have progress checks along the way!
Well, you have almost made it to the finish line as we are now in the final week of class. Push hard this week and finish strong!
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Qualitative vs. Quantitative Goals
Hello Class,
Thank you for your thoughtful responses to this DQ! In my experience, when identifying success measures, most companies tend to prioritize quantitative measures over qualitative measures. During times of change, in addition to achieving quantitative goals, it is extremely critical to ensure that people are on-board and completely bought in to the change initiative which lends to success measures which are more qualitative in nature. Class, what are your thoughts on each of these methodologies and how would you ensure that both qualitative and quantitative measurements are considered?
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In the context of my organization, the use of both quantitative and qualitative measures is required. Qualitative measurements are
based on observable futures, which cannot be determined with numeric measurements; they are categorized into identifiable terms (Keathley, 2021). Quantitative measurement is descriptive by nature and is represented by a numeric value (Keathley, 2021). For example, quantitative measures would reflect the financial status, increase or decrease in giving, and donations, the fluctuance in the number of the attendance, the retention of stakeholders, and overall statistics, which would present an accurate condition of the organization Keathley, 2021). Qualitative measures would allow the organization to understand better the stakeholder’s acceptance of the changing process, participation, feedback, and understanding of how the process affects the organization (Renata, n.d). Observation, interviews, polls are methods that would allow organizations to collect data that would be analyzed to draw conclusions (Renata, n.d).
References:
Keathley, C. (2021). Qualitative and Quantitative Measurements. Study. https://study.com/learn/lesson/the-difference-between-qualitative-quantitative-measurement.html
Renata, R. (n.d). What are Qualitative Measurements? The Classroom. https://www.theclassroom.com/advantages-disadvantages-crosssectional-studies-8758457.html
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In healthcare, the point of all research is to apply the findings to improve clinical practice outcomes (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019). One of the most important questions to keep in mind during appraisal is asking what the research means for clinical practice. Levels of evidence or a hierarchy of evidence provide guidance, and which hierarchy or level is appropriate depends on the type of clinical questions asked.
Quantitative ranks at the highest level of confidence for intervention questions, compared to designs that give lower confidence levels (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019). The higher a rank in the hierarchy, the more confidence clinicians can have that the intervention will produce the same outcomes in similar patients for whom they care. Interpretation of results must include factors of validity and reliability. Possible sources of bias must also get examined.
Qualitative evidence is narrative, reflective, or anecdotal information, thus answering questions about human experiences (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019). Qualitative evidence may not be as familiar to clinicians as quantitative evidence. Answering qualitative questions provides clinicians with the why, whereas quantitative evidence tends to provide the how-to practice. Qualitative appraising helps clinicians understand the experiences and values of patients. It is imperative to combine quantitative evidence with patient preferences and clinical expertise, using both methodologies to improve clinical practice outcomes.
Reference
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Thank you for a great follow up question. Quantitative design provides the statistical reasoning behind the change whereas, qualitative adds the overall purpose. However, both are an essential component to the change process. When I did research, I found that there are many benefits to a mixed method approach for the change process. The mixed method focuses on data from quantitative design then combines with the qualitative data. By incorporating both methods the findings are more significant as the design is broadened for obtaining data (Almalki, 2016). I have found this method to be superior to just focusing in on one measurement tool as the data obtained from the both approaches provide greater details to support the change initiative.
Reference
Almalki, S. (2016). Integrating quantitative and qualitative data in mixed methods research-challenges and benefits. Journal of Education and Learning, 5(3), 288–296. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v5n3p288
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You bring up a very valid point, many times company just “want the data” which is what quantitative measures can give numerical results and faster stats before a qualitative result can be measured. Both methodologies offer great potentials and limitations to a study or change process (Queiros et al, 2017) . While Quantitative results give great data and show a good statical picture, qualitative data can provide a lot of though and feelings behind the change that can give a deeper understanding to the given problem and the change process. In the change process if staff feel like a number they will not have ownership or buy-in, thus I feel the quantitative measure help to create that and offer the deeper sense of understanding they need to feel involved