A critical component of research is measurement. Measurement enables researchers to analyze differences amongst an intervention and controlled group. Doing this allows the researcher to determine the effectiveness of an intervention. Criteria that assess the quality of measurement is validity and reliability. Validity is the extent to which a concept is accurately measured (Heale & Twycross, 2015). In other words, the instruments used measures what it is supposed to measure. Reliability is the extent in which a research instrument consistently has the same results if it is used in the same situation but on different occasions (Heale & Twycross, 2015). Reliability is determined by consistency of what is produced.
Measurement tools used for the DPI project should be reliable and valid. It is important to mention that a research study can have reliability without validity. Therefore, one should ensure the study contains both as this assures that the research findings are precise and replicable. Primary quantitative research studies do this through the research methodology. The methodology involves carefully designing the research, method selection and ensuring tools used are high quality. Good research also provides evidence on how reliability and validity was achieved.
Groninger et al., (2021) research on the impact of virtual reality on self-reported pain supports my DPI project. This prospective randomized controlled study had 88 participants and was done in an urban hospital in the United States. The study assessed pain on a numeric rating scale pre intervention and post intervention. Study participants experienced a statistically significant improvement in pain scores after ten minutes of virtual reality. For my DPI project I will use the numeric rating pain scale to measure pain. The goal of my project is to see if virtual reality will be effective in decreasing pain in hospitalized patients. The numeric rating pain scale is valid as it will measure pain. It also has excellent test-retest reliability. Hence it is a reliable tool for measuring pain intensity.
Reference
Groninger, H., Stewart, D., Fisher, J. M., Tefera, E., Cowgill, J., & Mete, M. (2021). Virtual reality for pain management in advanced heart failure: A randomized controlled study. Palliative Medicine, 35(10), 2008-2016. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163211041273
Heale, R., & Twycross, A. (2015). Validity and Reliability in Quantitative Studies. Evidence Based Nursing, 18(3), 66–67.
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