Internal Code: MAS5114

Descriptive Statistics

The research study:

This is a dataset collected from 20 students who engaged in clinical observation shifts (clinical placement) over a one month period. The students were divided into two groups and attended two different ambulance services for their placement. The raw data is a direct transcript of their clinical placement log books, and has been coded for analysis by a statistical software program.

Assignment Questions:

1. Complete the following table for the study data:

Study Data	Answer
Total Cases (Raw data)	N=
Excluded Cases	N=
Total Study Cases (Cleaned data)	N=

 

2. For the listed variables, complete the following tables of Descriptive Statistics:

Variable		Group 1		Group 2		Total Sample
		N	%	N	%	N	%
Gender	Male
	Female
Shift Type	Day
	Afternoon
	Night

 

Variable	Group 1		Group 2		Total Sample
	Mean	SD	Mean	SD	Mean	SD
Age

 

3. In a few sentences, write a methods section for a paper using the data from the Tables in Question 2.
4. Complete the following table of Descriptive Statistics for the patients in this dataset:

Case Type		Group 1	Group 2
		N=	N=
Cardiac	Chest pain, n (%)*
	Arrhythmia, n (%)*
	Angina, n (%)
	AMI/STEMI, n (%)*
	Arrest, n (%)*
Respiratory	Short of breath, n (%)*
	Asthma, n (%)*
	Acute pulmonary oedema, n (%)*
	Chest infection, n (%)
	Respiratory arrest, n (%)
Gastrointestinal	Abdominal pain, n (%)
	Other, n (%)
Trauma	Penetrating, n (%)*
	Blunt, n (%)*
	Vehicle, n (%)*
	Pedestrian, n (%)*
Unconscious, n (%)
Stroke or TIA, n (%)*
Diabetic Problems, n (%)
Fall, n (%)
Fracture, n (%)
Drug or alcohol problem, n (%)
Mental health problem, n (%)
Pain, n (%)
Bleeding, n (%)
Sepsis, n (%)*
Other medical, n (%)
Other surgical, n (%)
Other case type, n (%)
Hospital transfer, n (%)

 

14. On further analysis, we identify that students in Group 1 attended a mean of 14.9 different case types, whilst those in Group 2 attended a mean of 17.6 different case types, with a mean difference of 2.7 cases between groups (95%CI 1.4 to 4.0, p<0.001). Is this a significant mean difference? Use the confidence interval and p-value to support your answer.
15. Describe the difference between statistical significance and clinical significance using the data table in Question 4 to support your answer (HINT: consider the high acuity cases in your answer).
16. Complete the following table of Descriptive Statistics for the patients in this dataset:

Element of practice	Local N=		International N=
	observed	performed	observed	performed
Assessment*, n (group%)
Cardiac monitor*, n (%)
Pulse oximeter, n (%)
IV access*, n (%)
IV Fluid, n (%)
Oxygen*, n (%)
Ventilation*, n (%)
CPR*, n (%)
Defibrillation*, n (%)
Splinting, n (%)
Bandaging, n (%)

*Essential advanced life support skills

6. Using the graphing function in SPSS, produce histograms for the following data variables (copy and paste the graphs from SPSS to this section of the paper, then resize to fit). Include the normal distribution curve in the graph.

• Gender
• Age
• Shift Type
• Assessment
• Case Type
• Cardiac monitor

 

7. What information does the normal distribution curve provide about research data, and how does this influence our data analysis.
8. This study used data that was collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively.
   1. Outline the limitations of using retrospective data to answer a research question (HINT: consider the hierarchy of evidence in your answer)

 

1. List the potential limitations within this study
2. In 500 words (+/-10%), write a Discussion section for a research paper describing your findings from this study. Use your analysis to identify important aspects of the data, and to make a statement about whether Group 1 or Group 2 provides a better clinical placement experience for paramedic students. Use the following subheadings within your discussion section to guide your work:
   1. Clinical and technical skills
   2. Theoretical knowledge used during the assessment and management of patients
   3. Immersion in the practical life of a paramedic