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Statistical generalization, its associated problems, its importance in a research study, and how limitations can be overcome are discussed. Keywords: statistics, generalizability, research, In this issue, Coppa and co-authors (2024) indicate their study had limited generalizability due to a single hospital setting, and because some patients with higher acuity and complexity were excluded [...]

Tables and figures enhance and supplement research reports by providing data and visual information. General advice about reviewing tables and figures is provided. Keywords: research, tables, figures, data, interpretation In [...]

At the beginning of the year, people often make New Year's resolutions that frequently are forgotten over the next few months. If making a resolution is helpful, that is great. [...]

s are an important part of a research article. The difference between structured and unstructured abstracts, and the components of an effective abstract are reviewed., The editorial staff at MEDSURG Nursing has required a structured abstract for quantitative research articles for some time. The editor recently decided to require structured abstracts for future qualitative and [...]

This column addresses the importance of in eluding a discussion of recommendations for future research in a report of research findings., In this issue, Brown and co-authors (2023) reported on a study of smoking and ocular problems in older veterans. As part of this report, the authors addressed Recommendations for Future [...]

Survival rates, also known as time-to-event data, are measures of the time to a specific occurrence, and allow researchers to look at the course or progression of a disease or condition process. This column provides a brief introduction to survival rates., In the article by do Carmo and colleagues (2022) in this issue of MEDSURG Nursing, survival rates were used to calculate the sample size for the study. This may be [...]

The validity of an instrument is determined to ensure the instrument measures what it is intended to measure. Validity of a measurement instrument is essential in research to ensure the evidence provided in a study is as close as possible to the real world and provides helpful evidence for practice., In this issue, Rafiei and colleagues (2021) presented results of a study about pressure ulcers caused by nurses' use of personal protective equipment. As part of the study, the researchers [...]

Researchers often have more than two groups they want to compare, such as different types of treatments, different age groups, or different dosages of a treatment. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) [...]

The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model offers a structured approach to experimental learning and to change evaluation. This model has been adopted for use in health care as small cycles of change that can be completed relatively quickly and can be started with a small number of patients. Although designed to be useful and dynamic, PDSA should not be oversimplified as project facilitators should invest the time and rigor into the process for it to lead to informed action., In this issue, Henrichs and Makic (2021) present results of a quality improvement project to increase oxygen therapy adherence. Project managers used the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model, and described the series [...]

Logistic regression is a useful statistical technique to understand complex phenomena. The use of this statistic is discussed, along with how to understand research when it is used. In this [...]

Improvement as a writer is an ongoing process. To be an effective writer, a nurse needs to read about, study, and practice writing. Helpful tips for writing for publication are [...]

In research and quality improvement projects, investigators use inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine the characteristics of the subjects or elements in the study. Establishing inclusion and exclusion criteria for [...]

Effective quality indicators are crucial to the work of nursing. Appropriate quality indicators are needed to guide data collection and analysis to improve the quality of care provided., In quality improvement projects, the variables are known as quality indicators. In the format used in MEDSURG Nursing, authors are asked to identify the project's quality indicators with operational definitions [...]