A problem for nurses conducting quasi-experimental or experimental research is that many times a patient cannot ethically be left without a treatment. What is the best solution for this problem?
A) Control for the situation statistically.
B) Create placebo treatments.
C) Ensure all patients receive the standard of care.
D) Use other research designs as often as possible.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

"Ensuring all patients receive the standard of care" is the best option available; often there is a procedure in place that all subjects can receive, leaving the experimental group to get the treatment under question, or the experimental treatment.
Statistical control of variables can be used for some things, but cannot take the place of assigning treatment and control groups.
In some cases a "placebo" treatment is considered "nothing" and would not be approved by the institutional review board.
Using other research designs as often as possible would limit the use of more powerful statistical analysis and make studies not as generalizable.

A Problem for Nurses Conducting Quasi-Experimental or Experimental Research Is