Randomized Controlled Trials, Statistics and other Baffling Research Terminology Explained

Linda Shields and Alison Twycross have put together a series of articles that simplify research terminology. The articles have been published over the past few years in Paediatric Nurse. Each article is a quick read explaining the concepts. They are worth the effort for initial concept understanding, as well as memory refreshers.

The articles include:

• How randomised controlled trials (RCTs) work.
• Validity and reliability--What's it all about? Part 1. Validity in quantitative studies.
• Validity and reliability--what's it all about? Part 2 reliability in quantitative studies.
• Validity and reliability--what's it all about? Part 3: Issues relating to qualitative studies.
• Statistics made simple. Part 1. Mean, medians and modes
• Statistics made simple. Part 2. Standard deviation, variance and range.
• Statistics made simple--Part 3 statistical tests terminology.
• Statistics made simple. Part 4. Choosing the right statistical test.
• The difference between quantitative and qualitative research.
• The difference between incidence and prevalence.
• Planning a research project.