Quantitative Research Article Critique Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Quantitative Article Critique - Research Paper Example Independent and Dependent Variables of the Study For this study, a set of independent variables were initially tested for statistically significant effect on the dependent variable; the dependent variable being the test-taker’s success or failure at first sitting in an NCLEX-RN examination. The independent variables initially tested included SAT / ACT scores, science grade point average (GPA) prior to admission to the nursing program, critical thinking test score, writing portfolio score, individual nursing course grades, number of nursing course failures, all standardized test scores, graduating GPA, and number of semesters taken to complete the nursing program (McGahee, Gramling, & Reid, 2010). Science GPA was taken from the participant’s anatomy, physiology, and chemistry courses; the standardized tests were made up of a critical thinking test, an end of course test for each nursing course, and an RN Assessment test designed to predict NCLEX-RN success; the regular n umber of semesters required to complete the nursing program after completion of general education courses and acceptance into the nursing program was five. ... However, it may be noted that these same variables were not given due operational definitions which resulted in a vague description of how data was quantified in order to represent these variables. Without proper operationalization of the variables, future researchers may have a difficulty replicating such a study (Coughlan, Cronin, & Ryan, 2007). There was not much information on the demographic structure of the participants for this study. Their only qualification was being a graduate of a baccalaureate nursing school over a period of three years between fall 2006 and spring 2009. No information was provided on the participants’ sex, age, race/ethnicity, or socio-economic status. In addition, relevant characteristics of the sampled baccalaureate school were not identified (McGahee, Gramling, & Reid, 2010). Research Design A retrospective correlation design was used for this particular investigation (McGahee, Gramling, & Reid, 2010). As this study looks into possible predicto rs of NCLEX-RN success, the sample was treated as a whole and the independent variables were simply tested on their predictiveness capability, looking into main effects, and interaction effects between and among predictors. One notable discrepancy of this study is that the predictors were not tested for collinearity with each other. Duffy (2005) points out that such a test is necessary in order to filter out the possible redundant effects of certain variables. On the plus side, this study was designed in a similar manner as a number of previous studies as identified in the Review of Literature section. The methodologies used for this study bears similarities with the previous studies except for the specific variables under