STATISTICAL TECHNIQUE IN REVIEW
Most studies describe the subjects that comprise the study sample. This description of the sample
is called the sample characteristics which may be presented in a table or the narrative of the
article. The sample characteristics are often presented for each of the groups in a study (i.e. experimental
and control groups). Descriptive statistics are used to generate sample characteristics, and
the type of statistic used depends on the level of measurement of the demographic variables
included in a study (Burns & Grove, 2007). For example, measuring gender produces nominal level
data that can be described using frequencies, percentages, and mode. Measuring educational level
usually produces ordinal data that can be described using frequencies, percentages, mode, median,
and range. Obtaining each subject’s specific age is an example of ratio data that can be described
using mean, range, and standard deviation. Interval and ratio data are analyzed with the same type
of statistics and are usually referred to as interval/ratio level data in this text.
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Source: Troy, N. W., & Dalgas-Pelish, P. (2003). The effectiveness of a self-care intervention for the
management of postpartum fatigue. Applied Nursing Research, 16(1), 38–45.
Introduction
Troy and Dalgas-Pelish (2003) conducted a quasi-experimental study to determine the effectiveness
of a self-care intervention (Tiredness Management Guide [TMG]) on postpartum fatigue. The study
subjects included 68 primiparous mothers, who were randomly assigned to either the experimental
group (32 subjects) or the control group (36 subjects) using a computer program. The results of
the study indicated that the TMG was effective in reducing levels of morning postpartum fatigue
from the 2nd to 4th weeks postpartum. These researchers recommend that “mothers need to be
informed that they will probably experience postpartum fatigue and be taught to assess and manage
this phenomenon” (Troy & Dalgas-Pelish, 2003, pp. 44-5).
Relevant Study Results
“A total of 80 women were initially enrolled [in the study] . . . twelve of these women dropped out
of the study resulting in a final sample of 68.” (Troy & Dalgas-Pelish, 2003, p. 39). The researchers
presented the characteristics of their sample in a table format for the experimental and control
groups (see Table 1). The researchers found no significant differences between the control and
experimental groups for any of the demographic or attribute variables.
USING STATISTICS TO DESCRIBE
11 A STUDY SAMPLE
EXERCISE
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. What demographic variables were included in this study?
2. Which of the demographic variables provided ordinal level data? Provide a rationale for your answer.
TABLE 1 ■ Sample Characteristics by Group
Variable
EXPERIMENTAL GROUP CONTROL GROUP
n M SD N M SD
Age (yrs) 32 26.72 5.05 35 26.89 5.25
Income (annual)($) 30 $35,675 $23,969 34 $41,450 $17,527
Length of labor (hrs) 30 14.63 7.78 33 12.79 7.2
Return to work (wks) 8 5.0 1.41 9 5.78 .67
Number of hours working per week 8 34.25 9.15 9 36.68 7.02
n % n %
Race
White 23 92 28 96.55
Black 1 4 0
Interracial 1 4 0
Middle Eastern 0 1 3.45
Marital status
Married 25 78.1
3.1
18.8
31 86.1
2.8
8.3
Separated/divorced 1 1
Single 6 3
Education
High school 7 21.9
34.4
43.8
6 16.7
41.7
36.2
Some college 11 15
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