Statistical power analysis in pediatric nursing research

Pediatric nurse researchers take a serious risk when they design an intervention study with insufficient power. In an underpowered study, the researcher may be testing a genuinely effective treatment but fail to recognize its efficacy. In the first part of this article, the concept of power analysis and how to perform a statistical power analysis are addressed. The second half of this article includes a review of published nursing research studies for the past 5 years in three nursing research journals. Specific examples of pediatric nursing research are highlighted. This review revealed a neglect of power analysis. Nurse researchers need to pay greater attention to statistical power analysis. It is an essential procedure for researchers to use before conducting a study.