A nurse is conducting a study of client attitudes and feelings about registering for outpatient day surgery via the Internet. Interviews of clients using a questionnaire will be conducted and the responses will be analyzed. The nurse plans to use a codebook in conducting this research study using a quantitative design. Which statement accurately describes the purpose of the codebook for this study?

The independent variable is the characteristic of a research statement that is missing in this statement. The independent variable is the variable that the researcher manipulates or controls to examine its effect on the dependent variable. The dependent variable is the variable that the researcher measures or observes to evaluate the outcome of the intervention or treatment. A research statement should clearly identify both the independent and dependent variables being investigated, as well as the population being studied and the possibility of empirical testing. In this statement, the dependent variables are cultural sensitivity and cultural self-efficacy, and the population being studied is implied to be nursing students or nurses who participate in short-term, cultural immersion, clinical experiences. However, the independent variable is not explicitly stated. It could be the type, duration, or intensity of the cultural immersion, clinical experiences, or a comparison group that does not receive such experiences. The other options are not correct because: A) Population being studied is not missing in this statement. The population being studied is implied to be nursing students or nurses who participate in short-term, cultural immersion, clinical experiences. Although it could be more specific and include the characteristics or criteria of the population, such as age, gender, education level, or ethnicity, it is not completely absent from the statement. B) Identification of variables being investigated is not missing in this statement. The variables being investigated are cultural sensitivity and cultural self-efficacy, which are clearly stated in the statement. These are the dependent variables that the researcher measures or observes to evaluate the outcome of the intervention or treatment. C) Possibility of empirical testing is not missing in this statement. The possibility of empirical testing is implied by the use of words such as "evaluate" and "effect change", which suggest that the researcher intends to collect and analyze data to answer the research question. Empirical testing means that the research question can be answered using objective and systematic methods of observation and measurement.

Articles describing findings from peer-reviewed research studies are the most current and relevant source of information for the nursing staff who want to conduct a study aimed at reducing the rate of nosocomial infections on their unit. Peer-reviewed research studies are original investigations that have been evaluated and approved by experts in the field before publication. They provide the most reliable and valid evidence for nursing practice and research. They also help the nursing staff to identify gaps in knowledge, formulate research questions, design appropriate methods, and interpret results.

The other options are not correct because:

Medical-surgical nursing textbooks published within the past year may provide some general information about nosocomial infections and their prevention, but they are not the most current and relevant source of information for the nursing staff who want to conduct a study. Textbooks are often based on summaries of existing literature and may not reflect the latest evidence or innovations in practice. They also may not address the specific problem or population of interest for the nursing staff.

Hospital infection commitee meeting minutes from the past six months may provide some information about the current policies and procedures related to nosocomial infections in the hospital, but they are not the most current and relevant source of information for the nursing staff who want to conduct a study. Meeting minutes are often brief and incomplete records of discussions and decisions that may not capture the rationale or evidence behind them. They also may not address the specific problem or population of interest for the nursing staff.

Best practice recommendations from trusted professional webpages may provide some information about the current standards and guidelines for nosocomial infection prevention and control, but they are not the most current and relevant source of information for the nursing staff who want to conduct a study. Best practice recommendations are often based on systematic reviews or consensus statements that synthesize existing evidence and expert opinions. They may not reflect the most recent or emerging evidence or innovations in practice. They also may not address the specific problem or population of interest for the nursing staff.