NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS

Walden University NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS– Step-By-Step Guide

This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Walden University NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.

How to Research and Prepare for NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS

Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Walden University NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.

After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.

How to Write the Introduction for NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS

The introduction for the Walden University NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.

How to Write the Body for NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS

After the introduction, move into the main part of the NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.

Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.

How to Write the Conclusion for NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS

After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.

How to Format the References List for NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS

The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.

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Sample Answer for NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS

Correlational studies or research plays a crucial role in helping researchers gain insight into how particular study variables are related. Through correlational statistics or studies, individuals get to know the strength of a correlation between the variables, and through careful interpretation, a researcher can have an idea if there is a statistically relevant relationship or association (Janse et al.,2021). Therefore, the purpose of this assignment is to explore how to interpret results obtained through a correlational analysis. As such, a correlation SPSS output will be evaluated, and various questions will answered.

The Strongest Correlation In the Matrix

In the provided output, the strongest correlation is between Body Mass Index and weight pounds. It is evident that the Pearson correlation coefficient for the relationship between BMI and Weight-pounds is 0.937. It is important to note that this relationship is significant as a two-tailored significance has been pegged at 0.01 (Makowski et al.,2020).

The Weakest Correlation In the Matrix

It is also important to explore the weakest correlation in the matrix. From the output, the weakest correlation is the correlation between the Body Mass Index and SF12: Mental Health Component score, standardized. The correlation value is -0.078, which indicates a weak correlation.

The Number of Original Correlations In the Matrix

From the provided output, there are a total of nine correlations. The correlation includes Number of doctor visits, past 12 months and Body Mass Index, Number of doctor visits, past 12 months, and SF12: physical health component score. The next is the Number of doctor visits, past 12 months, and SF12: Mental Health Component Score, standardized; the BMI and SF12: Physical Health Component Score standardized, and Body Mass Index and Weight-pounds. The next correlations are BMI and Weight, SF12: Physical Health Component Score, standardized, and SF12: Mental Health Component Score, standardized. The other includes SF12:Physical Health Component Score, standardized and Body Mass Index, SF12: Mental Health Component Score, standardized, and Number of doctor visits, past 12 months.

What the Entry of 1.00 Indicates on the Diagonal of the Matrix

The entry of 1.00 on the diagonal matrix indicates that each variable is in perfect correlation with itself (Pandey, 2020). It is easily observable as it is indicated from the top left to the bottom right of the main diagonal.

The Strength and Direction of The Relationship Between BMI and Physical Health

Component Subscale

            The strength of the correlation between body mass index and the physical health component subscale is -0.134. In terms of direction, it is negative, which implies that when the BMI increases, the physical health component subscale decreases. It implies that the two variables are inversely related. In addition, it shows a weak relationship.

The Variable That Is Most Strongly Correlated With BMI, Coefficient, and Sample Size

            From the SPSS output, the variable that is most strongly correlated with Body Mass Index is the Weigh-pounds. The correlational coefficient between the two variables is 0.937. In addition, the sample size for the relationship between Body Mass Index and Weight-pounds is 970. The correlation indicates a very strong positive relationship. The direction is positive, which shows that when the Body Mass Index is high, there is a substantial increase in the weight in pounds. In addition, the strong positive correlation is an indication that a positive and close connection exists between weight in pounds and body mass index.

The Mean and Standard Deviation for BMI and Doctor Visits

            From the output, the mean for Body Mass Index is 29.222, with a standard deviation of 7.379. In addition, the mean for the Number of Doctor Visits in the past 12 months is 6.80, with a standard deviation of 12.720.

The Mean and Standard Deviation for Weight and BMI

            From the provided output, the mean for BMI is 29.22, with a standard deviation of 7.38. besides, the mean of weight-pounds is 171.462, with a standard deviation of 7.38.

The Strength and Direction of the Relationship Between Weight and BMI

            The relationship between weight and BMI is positive and very strong, as the correlation coefficient is 0.937. The positive sign is an indication that when BMI increases, the weight also increases notably.

Description of Scatterplot and the Information It Provides to the Researcher

            Scatterplots are applied to help show the connection between variables. The scatterplot provided in the output displays a relationship between weight and Body Mass Index. The dots in the scatter plot show particular data points, and they can be used to determine patterns. In instances where the horizontal values are given, it becomes easier to predict the vertical value (Ali & Younas, 2021). In the output offered, the distribution of the scatter plots is concentrated in one region. Besides, the distance between the dots is negligible. There is a positive correlation between the variables. There is also a BMI outlier point, which shows that weight may have a higher effect on BMI.

Conclusion

This assignment has entailed an exploration of an SPSS output showing correlational analysis. Therefore, various aspects have been explored, including mean, standard deviation, and the magnitude of the relationships. In addition, the direction of relationships has also been explored and discussed.

References

Ali, P., & Younas, A. (2021). Understanding and interpreting regression analysis. Evidence-Based Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2021-103425

Janse, R. J., Hoekstra, T., Jager, K. J., Zoccali, C., Tripepi, G., Dekker, F. W., & van Diepen, M. (2021). Conducting correlation analysis: important limitations and pitfalls. Clinical Kidney Journal, 14(11), 2332-2337. https://doi.org/10.1093/ckj/sfab085

Makowski, D., Ben-Shachar, M. S., Patil, I., & Lüdecke, D. (2020). Methods and algorithms for correlation analysis in R. Journal of Open Source Software, 5(51), 2306. https://joss.theoj.org/papers/10.21105/joss.02306.pdf

Pandey, S. (2020). Principles of correlation and regression analysis. Journal of the Practice of Cardiovascular Sciences, 6(1), 7-11. Doi: 10.4103/jpcs.jpcs_2_20

Sample Answer 2 for NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS

There are a number of ways to measure the relationship between two categorical variables, but two of the most popular options are Kendall’s tau-b and Spearman’s rho. Both of these measures can be easily calculated using JASP software. Kendall’s tau-b is a measure of association that can range from -1 (perfect negative association) to +1 (perfect positive association) (de Raadt et al., 2021). A value of 0 indicates no association between the two variables. To calculate Kendall’s tau-b in JASP, there is the need to simply select two categorical variables and then click on the “Kendall’s tau-b” option under the “Correlations” menu (Rasmussen et al., 2020). The purpose of this assignment is to run a correlation on the following variables: “Depression Score and Perceived Health Score” and. “Depression Score and Number of Health-Related Visits to a primary care office in the past two years”

Kendall’s tau-b and Spearman’s rho are two statistical measures that are often used to compare data sets. Both measures are based on the ranks of the data values, rather than the actual values themselves. Kendall’s tau-b is a measure of correlation, while Spearman’s rho is a measure of association (Miot, 2018). Both measures can be used in the JASP software package. To use Kendall’s tau-b, one should simply select “correlation” from the list of options. For Spearman’s rho, select “association.” Both measures will produce a results table that can be interpreted to understand the relationship between the two data sets.

Sample Answer 3 for NURS 8201 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT: CORRELATIONS

Post a brief description of the selected problem that you identified for the focus of this Discussion and include your research question. Be specific. 

The problem that I have selected for the focus of this discussion is nurse communication and patient adherence. Effective nurse-patient communication plays a crucial role and adherence to treatment plans and is essential for providing patient-centered care. Patient-centered care involves respecting and responding to individual patients’ needs, preferences, and values in clinical decisions (Edgman-Levitan & Schoenbaum, 2021). Respectful communication between nurses and patients can lead to better patient understanding, trust, satisfaction, and improved adherence to medication and treatment plans. Clear communication reduces uncertainty and allows patients to make informed decisions about their health. Additionally, effective communication enhances social support and safety which contributes to positive patient outcomes. My research question is, “Does effective nurse-patient communication correlate with patient adherence to treatment plans?”  

Explain your null hypothesis and alternate hypotheses for your research question and identify the dependent and independent variables that you would recommend to best support the research study.  

My null hypothesis states that there is no effect or no correlation between effective nurse-patient communication and patient adherence to treatment plans. My alternate hypothesis is that there is a correlation between effective nurse-patient communication and patient adherence to treatment plans.  

I would recommend the dependent variable to be patient adherence to treatment plans. Measurement of adherence can include factors such as medication adherence and treatment plan adherence. Medication adherence can be measured by whether patients followed prescribed medication regimens consistently. Treatment plan adherence can be measured by measuring whether patients adhere to lifestyle changes, follow-up appointments, and other aspects of their treatment plan.  

I would recommend the independent variable to be effective nurse-patient communication. The components of effective communication can include clear information delivery, active listening, empathy and respect, and patient engagement (Kwame & Petruka, 2021).  

Then, explain your prediction for the expected relationship (positive or negative) between the variables that you identified.  

I predict a positive relationship between effective nurse-patient communication (independent variable) and patient adherence to treatment plans (dependent variable). A positive relationship suggests that as the quality of nurse-patient communication improves, patient adherence to treatment plans also increases (Gray & Grove, 2020). When nurses communicate effectively, patients are more likely to understand their treatment plans, instructions, and the importance of adherence. Clear communication fosters trust, reduces uncertainty, and empowers patients to actively participate in their care. Patients who feel heard, respected, and well-informed are more motivated to follow treatment recommendations. 

Why do you think that sort of relationship will exist? What other factors might affect the outcome? Be specific and provide examples. 

As previously mentioned, I expect a positive relationship to exist. Effective nurse-patient communication is likely to positively impact patient adherence to treatment plans. When nurses communicate clearly, patients better understand their treatment instructions, potential side effects, and the rationale behind specific recommendations. Trust fosters confidence in following treatment plans. Effective communication empowers patients to actively participate in their care decisions by becoming partners in their own health management.  

Other factors that can affect adherence includes health literacy, cultural and language barriers, social support, financial constraints, psychosocial factors, patient beliefs and attitudes, provider-patient relationship, treatment complexity, side effects, and forgetfulness (Thompson & Haskard-Zolnierek, 2020). First, patients with low health literacy may struggle to comprehend complex medical information, even with effective communication. Simplifying instructions and using plain language is crucial. Diverse patient populations may require varying communication needs. Cultural competence and language proficiency play a significant role. Patients with strong social support systems are more likely to adhere to treatment plans. Financial constraints such as cost of medications, access to healthcare, and insurance coverage impact adherence. Anxiety, depression, and stress can affect adherence. A patient’s beliefs about illness, treatment efficacy, and perceived benefits influence adherence. Beyond communication, the overall relationship between nurse and patient matters. Complex regimens that involve multiple medications, dietary restrictions, and lifestyle changes can also pose challenges. Fear of adverse effects may deter adherence. Patients may forget to take medications or follow treatment schedules. 

References

Edgman-Levitan, S., & Schoenbaum, S.C. (2021). Patient-centered care: Achieving higher quality by designing care through the patient’s eyes. Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, 10(1), 1-5. 

Gray, J. R., & Grove, S. K. (2020). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (9th ed.). Elsevier.

Kwame, A., & Petrucka, P. M. (2021). A literature-based Study of patient-centered Care and Communication in nurse-patient interactions: barriers, facilitators, and the Way Forward. BMC Nursing, 20(158), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00684-2Links to an external site.

Thompson, T. L., & Haskard-Zolnierek, K. B. (2020). Physician Communication and Patient Adherence to Treatment. Medical Care, 47(8), 826–834. https://doi.org/10.1097/mlr.0b013e31819a5acc