Reply to this discussion post (site sources if applicable)
Independent and dependent variables are essential to any evidence based practice project. An independent variable is something that you can change, or that is controlled in a scientific study. A dependent variable is the variable that is being tested, measured within the study. In my project I discussed decreasing medications errors. The independent variable is mandating staff to scan all administered medications, the dependent variable is the medication error. I would need to collect the amount of medication errors within a quarter or year to be able to compare it to the after change numbers. Knowing the numbers we are starting with will allow us to see if the errors decreased. The independent variable would be the staff administering the medications. This can be measured by reviewing their scan rate data of patients and medications administered. The medication error can also be measured by data that is reported within the computer system. This data will be extremely important in my research to make sure that it was successful, or to see what needs to be adjusted.