Week 5 Discussion: Samples and Data Collection (graded)
Discussion Questions
Access the following information. You may read the PDF online or download it.
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2019). Brief summary of results from the 2018 national sample survey of registered nurses.
https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/data-research/nssrn-summary-report.pdf Links to an external site.
1. Review the data and describe some of the key attributes/characteristics of this sample of the nursing workforce.
2. Discuss some of the data that you found interesting and include what you believe the purpose (intent) of sharing these results.
3. The instruments and tools that we use to collect data need to be reliable and valid. Define these terms and explain the importance of each. Share one way that can be used to collect data that you were not aware of or familiar with.
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The sample of the nursing workforce collected in the 2018 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses was based on a nationally representative sample of nurses in the U.S. Key attributes of this sample include: the nurse’s demographic characteristics (age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, and geographic location), their employment status and type of employment, their role and responsibilities, and their work-related attitudes and perceptions.
Some of the data that I found interesting include: the higher prevalence of women in the nursing workforce compared to men, the increasing proportion of nurses with a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the high level of job satisfaction reported by nurses. I believe the purpose of sharing these results is to provide insights into the current state of the nursing workforce, which can inform policy decisions and future workforce planning efforts.
Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of measurement over time and across different settings. Validity refers to the accuracy and truthfulness of measurement, that is, it measures what it is intended to measure. The importance of reliability and validity is that it ensures that the data collected is trustworthy and can be used to make informed decisions. One way to collect data that I was not familiar with is the use of wearable devices to collect data on physical activity and other health outcomes. These devices can provide continuous, real-time data on an individual’s health status, which can be useful for research and clinical decision making.
