A sphygmomanometer, blood pressure meter, blood pressure monitor, or blood pressure gauge is

a device used to measure blood pressure, composed of an inflatable cuff to collapse and then release the
artery under the cuff in a controlled manner,[1] and a mercury or mechanical manometer to measure the
pressure. It is always used in conjunction with a means to determine at what pressure blood flow is just
starting, and at what pressure it is unimpeded. Manual sphygmomanometers are used in conjunction
with a stethoscope.
A sphygmomanometer consists of an inflatable cuff, a measuring unit (the mercury manometer, or
aneroid gauge), and a mechanism for inflation which may be a manually operated bulb and valve or a
pump operated electrically.

Types
Both manual and digital meters are currently employed, with different trade-offs in accuracy versus
convenience.

Manual
A stethoscope is generally required for auscultation (see below). Manual meters are used by trained
practitioners, and, while it is possible to obtain a basic reading through palpation alone, this only yields
the systolic pressure.
Mercury sphygmomanometers are considered the gold standard. They show blood pressure by
affecting the height of a column of mercury, which does not require recalibration.[2] Because of
their accuracy, they are often used in clinical trials of drugs and in clinical evaluations of high-
risk patients, including pregnant women.
Aneroid sphygmomanometers (mechanical types with a dial) are in common use; they may
require calibration checks, unlike mercury manometers. Aneroid sphygmomanometers are
considered safer than mercury sphygmomanometers, although inexpensive ones are less
accurate.[3] A major cause of departure from calibration is mechanical jarring. Aneroids
mounted on walls or stands are not susceptible to this particular problem.

Digital
Digital meters employ oscillometric measurements and electronic calculations rather than auscultation.
They may use manual or automatic inflation, but both types are electronic, easy to operate without
training, and can be used in noisy environments. They measure systolic and diastolic pressures by
oscillometric detection, employing either deformable membranes that are measured using differential
capacitance, or differential piezoresistance, and they include a microprocessor.[4] They accurately
measure mean blood pressure and pulse rate, while systolic and diastolic pressures are obtained less
accurately than with manual meters,[5] and calibration is also a concern.[6][7][8] Digital oscillometric
monitors may not be advisable for some patients, such as those suffering from arteriosclerosis,
arrhythmia, preeclampsia, pulsus alternans, and pulsus paradoxus, as their calculations may not correct
for these conditions,[citation needed] and in these cases, an analog sphygmomanometer is preferable
when used by a trained person. Digital instruments may use a cuff placed, in order of accuracy[9] and
inverse order of portability and convenience, around the upper arm, the wrist, or a finger.[10] The
oscillometric method of detection used gives blood pressure readings that differ from those determined
by auscultation, and vary according to many factors, such as pulse pressure, heart rate and arterial
stiffness,[11] although some instruments are claimed also to measure arterial stiffness, and some can
detect irregular heartbeats.
How does a sphygmomanometer work what is it used for?
A sphygmomanometer is a device that measures blood pressure. It is composes of an inflatable rubber
cuff, which is wrapped around the arm. ... A bulb inflates the cuff and a valve releases pressure. A
stethoscope is used to listen to arterial blood flow sounds.
What is Quantitative Research?

Quantitative Research
Quantitative methods emphasize objective measurements and the statistical, mathematical, or
numerical analysis of data collected through polls, questionnaires, and surveys, or by manipulating pre-
existing statistical data using computational techniques. Quantitative research focuses on gathering
numerical data and generalizing it across groups of people or to explain a particular phenomenon.
The use of sampling techniques (such as consumer surveys) whose findings may be expressed
numerically, and are amenable to mathematical manipulation enabling the researcher to estimate future
events or quantities.

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

Your goal in conducting quantitative research study is to determine the relationship between one thing
[an independent variable] and another [a dependent or outcome variable] within a population.
Quantitative research designs are either descriptive [subjects usually measured once] or experimental
[subjects measured before and after a treatment]. A descriptive study establishes only associations
between variables; an experimental study establishes causality.
Quantitative research deals in numbers, logic, and an objective stance. Quantitative research focuses on
numeric and unchanging data and detailed, convergent reasoning rather than divergent reasoning [i.e.,
the generation of a variety of ideas about a research problem in a spontaneous, free-flowing manner].
Its main characteristics are:
The data is usually gathered using structured research instruments.
The results are based on larger sample sizes that are representative of the population.
The research study can usually be replicated or repeated, given its high reliability.
Researcher has a clearly defined research question to which objective answers are sought.
All aspects of the study are carefully designed before data is collected.
Data are in the form of numbers and statistics, often arranged in tables, charts, figures, or other
non-textual forms.
Project can be used to generalize concepts more widely, predict future results, or investigate
causal relationships.
Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or computer software, to collect numerical data.
The overarching aim of a quantitative research study is to classify features, count them, and construct
statistical models in an attempt to explain what is observed.

Things to keep in mind when reporting the results of a study using quantitative methods:
1. Explain the data collected and their statistical treatment as well as all relevant results in
relation to the research problem you are investigating. Interpretation of results is not appropriate
in this section.
2. Report unanticipated events that occurred during your data collection. Explain how the actual
 analysis differs from the planned analysis. Explain your handling of missing data and why any
missing data does not undermine the validity of your analysis.
3. Explain the techniques you used to "clean" your data set.
4. Choose a minimally sufficient statistical procedure; provide a rationale for its use and a
reference for it. Specify any computer programs used.
5. Describe the assumptions for each procedure and the steps you took to ensure that they were
not violated.
6. When using inferential statistics, provide the descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, and
sample sizes for each variable as well as the value of the test statistic, its direction, the degrees
of freedom, and the significance level [report the actual p value].
7. Avoid inferring causality, particularly in nonrandomized designs or without further
experimentation.
8. Use tables to provide exact values; use figures to convey global effects. Keep figures small in
size; include graphic representations of confidence intervals whenever possible.
9. Always tell the reader what to look for in tables and figures.