Research Ethics Assignment: Sampling Theory and Generalizability

This assignment delves into the core concepts of research ethics, contrasting experimental and non-experimental research designs. It highlights the key differences, providing examples like quasi-experimental studies and qualitative research. The assignment also explores sampling theory, emphasizing its role in statistical estimation, inference, and hypothesis testing. Furthermore, it addresses generalizability in nursing research, defining its importance in assessing research quality and applicability to a broader population. The student provides a concise overview of the concepts, supported by relevant references. The assignment effectively differentiates between the two types of research designs, and explains the sampling theory and its uses, and the concept of generalizability.

Running head: RESEARCH ETHICS
Research ethics
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

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Task 1
Experimental research method is a type of research design in which certain variables
are kept constant and certain variables are measured. In this study designs, variables are
manipulated as per the judgment of researchers and the random assignment of conditions take
place. Experimental research design is useful in getting idea about cause and effect. In
contrast, non experimental research designs are descriptive in nature where relationship
between two or more research variables is explored. In this case, no manipulation in research
variable is done and no experimental changes are done. Quasi experimental research designs,
true experimental research designs and pre-test post-test research designs are some example
of experimental research design (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2017). Hence, in experimental
designs, predictor variables or group of subjects can be manipulated, whereas in non
experimental design, no manipulations or controls can be applied.
For example, the study by O’Donoghue et al. (2016) used quasi-experimental research
design by exploring the effect of a multifaceted educational intervention on hand hygiene
compliance was explored. The experimental condition for the study was multifaceted
education intervention and compliance to hand washing was explored before and after the
intervention. In this case, cause and effect relationship can be easily explored. The example
of non-experimental research design includes simple qualitative research like the study by
Erasmus et al. (2009) which explored the reasons for poor hand hygiene among hospital
workers. In this study, the reason was explored without using any specific condition
introduced by the researcher.
Task# 2
Sampling theory is the field of theory that involves study of the data collection and
analysis methods gathered from random samples from a study. Such theory mainly aims to

2RESEARCH ETHICS
explore the relation between the target population and the samples drawn for the study. This
theory is applicable only for random samples. Sampling theory mainly estimates the
characteristics or properties of a population with that of the samples and analyzes the
precision of the estimation (Robertson & Sibley, 2018). The main rationale for developing
sampling theory is to achieve one or more of the following objectives:
Statistical estimation: This theory uses statistical measures to estimate unknown population
parameters.
Statistical inference: The most important aspect of sampling theory is that it supports in
making generalization about the study population and determining whether the research
outcome can be applied in target population or not.
Testing of hypotheses: The third purpose of sampling theory is to determine whether one
can accept or reject the research hypothesis or not. This is done by assessing whether
differences in outcome occur due to chance or are they significant (Robertson & Sibley,
2018).
Generalizability in nursing research is a measure of how successfully the research of
the study can be applied to the broader group of population. If there is no barrier to applying
the results to the target population, then the generalizability of the study is high. However, if
the same can be applied in very specific situations to a small sample, then the generalizability
of the study is poor. In nursing research, the main purpose of generalizability assessment is to
assess the quality of the research paper (Leung, 2015).

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References:
Erasmus, V., Brouwer, W., Van Beeck, E. F., Oenema, A., Daha, T. J., Richardus, J. H., ... &
Brug, J. (2009). A qualitative exploration of reasons for poor hand hygiene among
hospital workers lack of positive role models and of convincing evidence that hand
hygiene prevents cross-infection. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 30(5),
415-419.
Leung, L. (2015). Validity, reliability, and generalizability in qualitative research. Journal of
family medicine and primary care, 4(3), 324.
LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2017). Nursing research-E-book: methods and critical
appraisal for evidence-based practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.
O’Donoghue, M., Ng, S. H., Suen, L. K., & Boost, M. (2016). A quasi-experimental study to
determine the effects of a multifaceted educational intervention on hand hygiene
compliance in a radiography unit. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 5(1),
36.
Robertson, A., & Sibley, C. G. (2018). Research sampling: a pragmatic approach.
In Advanced Research Methods for Applied Psychology (pp. 27-48). Routledge.