QLexNursing

🔶 An experimental design includes random assignment, manipulation of an intervention, and comparison between intervention and control groups, all of which appear in this scenario.

🔶 The nurse randomly assigns patients to either the new pain protocol (treatment) or standard care (control), which is the hallmark of true experimental research.

🔶 This design allows the researcher to evaluate cause-and-effect relationships because variables are controlled and manipulated.

🔶 Measuring pain scores after implementing the intervention aligns with the structure of experimental studies, which test whether the intervention produces measurable outcomes.

🔶 Because randomization, manipulation, and control are all present, the scenario clearly reflects an experimental research design.

Quasi-experimental

🔶 A quasi-experimental study lacks random assignment, which is a defining difference from true experimental designs.

🔶 In this scenario, participants are randomly assigned, so it does not fit quasi-experimental criteria.

🔶 Quasi-experimental designs still examine interventions but without full control over variables, making them less rigorous.

🔶 The presence of randomization here disqualifies the quasi-experimental label.

🔶 Therefore, this choice does not match the study features described.

Predictive

🔶 Predictive research uses correlational methods to identify relationships and predict future outcomes, not to test interventions.

🔶 These studies do not manipulate variables or assign participants into groups.

🔶 Because the scenario includes a controlled intervention, predictive research is not applicable.

🔶 Predictive designs aim to forecast behaviors or outcomes based on certain variables, which is not occurring here.

🔶 Therefore, this option is incorrect for a study involving an intervention and group comparison.

Descriptive

🔶 Descriptive research focuses on observing, describing, or documenting phenomena, not manipulating interventions.

🔶 It does not include random assignment or control groups, both of which are present here.

🔶 Descriptive studies cannot determine cause-and-effect relationships, but experimental studies can.

🔶 The scenario does more than describe—it actively tests a treatment, which contradicts descriptive methods.

🔶 Thus, this option does not match the intervention-focused study described.