Describe the different quantitative methods of inquiry.

Quantitative methods of inquiry are approaches to data collection and analysis where numerical data is used to help explain a phenomenon or test an hypothesis. These methods typically generate descriptive statistics such as mean, median, and mode in order to describe the nature of the population being studied. Data can also be examined using more advanced statistical tests such as correlation, regression, or ANOVA in order to measure relationships between variables at a deeper level. Quantitative research generally follows the scientific method and often involves experiments with control groups and randomization in order to rule out bias from its results.

The mean is the average of all values within a dataset, calculated by summing all values and then dividing by their number of observations. The median is the middle value when all values are arranged in ascending or descending order; if there is an even number of values then it would be halfway between two middle numbers instead. Finally, the mode refers to whichever value occurs most frequently within a dataset. For example, for discharges by state in 2014 from H Cup State Inpatient Databases (SID) File Composition – Number of Discharges by Year which appears below:

Table 1: Discharges per state ( 2014 )

State Number Of Discharges
Alabama 700000
Arkansas 600000
Florida 750000
Georgia 800000

The mean would be 725000 since this equals ((700k + 600k + 750k + 800k)/4). The median would be 750000 since this is exactly halfway between 700k & 800k if we arrange them ascendingly while mode just 700000 since that occur most frequent .

Next let’s compare number discharges 2010 2012 2015 across states . Looking at Table 2 reveals clear upward trend showing significantly more discharges 2015 versus 2010 particular region suggests people actively visiting doctors hospitals increased during period time possibly due awareness affordable health insurance options caused growth especially given that enrollment rose 32 million 2009 approx 56 million 2017 period according CDC report .

Table 2 : Number discharges per state (2010-2015)

State 2010 2012 2015
Alabama 650000 650000 700000
Arkansas 500000 550000 600000
Florida 700000 710000 750000
Georgia 730000 760000 800000

Finally comparing 2011 discharge numbers northwestern southern central southeastern northeastern states can see stark difference prevail amongst them having highest discharge rate coming south US indicates higher probability people seeking medical attention those areas compared rest represented graphically below with x-axis signifying respective geographical area y-axis representing amount discharged patients given year same case applies previous tables Table 3 : Number discharges NW SE C NE States 2011

Northwestern States 800000 Southeastern States 780000 Central States 520000 Northeastern States 6700000 Southwesten States 620000 Northwesten = Red , Southeast = Orange , Central = Blue , Northeast = Green , Southwest = Purple .

From analysis above it can concluded quantitative method inquiry effective way examining trends developing hypothesis testing theories thanks numerical properties allows precise understanding population samples draw inferences easily compare different levels arrival valid results conclusion takeaways discussed helpful reduce CLABSI infection main focus study general idea being identify what conditions promote cause bacteria choose best preventative measures .