A healthcare facility wanted to learn more about patient satisfaction perceptions… Recent data was compared to data prior to the introduction of new protocols. What statistical technique should be used?

Regression analysis is used to understand relationships between variables and predict outcomes based on those relationships. While it can help identify trends over time or the impact of multiple variables, it does not directly compare means between two distinct groups, which is the primary goal in this scenario.

Factor analysis is a technique used to identify underlying relationships between variables and reduce data dimensions. It is useful in survey research for identifying latent constructs but does not compare group means or assess changes over time, making it inappropriate for evaluating patient satisfaction perceptions before and after protocol changes.

The chi-square test assesses the association between categorical variables. It evaluates whether the distribution of sample categorical data fits a theoretical distribution. Since the question focuses on comparing mean scores—a quantitative measure—this test would not be suitable for analyzing differences in patient satisfaction ratings.