Independent and Dependent Variables
Independent and Dependent Variables
Carrie Smithson 1 posts Re: Topic 8 DQ 1 Based on evaluation of my EBP project there are independent and dependent variables that need to be collected. A variable is something that varies or changes. “A variable in research simply refers to a person, place, thing, or phenomenon that you are trying to measure in some way” (University of California Libraries, 2019, para. 5). Independent variables are stable and unaffected by other variables you are attempting to measure. These are often manipulated by the researcher. Dependent variables are those that depend on other factors and change as a result of an experiment. This is the response that is measured. Dependent and independent variables are important because they drive the research process. A variable as opposed to a constant is simply anything that can vary and that many researchers consistently look at the relationship between the two variables. In order to evaluate my EBP project, I will have managers audit charts to determine if education provided to the patient was effective by not being readmitted with the same diagnosis. A few independent variable are patient’s willingness to learn, age, and time. These are important factors to consider when performing the audits. Some patients are not willing to make a change to their health and are set in their ways. The time spent with the patient is also important to consider. If the patient is being discharged and is ready to go, they aren’t going to fully be attentive to the teaching as they are eager to leave. Timing is key and having enough time to perform the teaching is important as well. Some dependent variables to consider are the patients who are admitted with stroke and chest pain who are tobacco users. The outcome depends on the effectiveness of the teaching performed by the nursing staff. The variables need to be collected because they will affect the evaluation. Surveys need to be performed on all different types of patient’s so that bias isn’t a factor. Resource University of California Libraries. (2019). Research Guides: Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper: Independent and Dependent Variables. Retrieved from https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/variables
