Introduction to

Nursing Research

NUR 499
Waynesburg College
Think about thisfor
later discussion

A Philanthropist puts a
notice on the bulletin
board at your school or
work setting. She wrote
that she is willing to fund a
$200,000 nursing study in
the name of her deceased
mother who was cared for
by wonderful nurses.
She is asking for
suggestions. What one
study would you suggest?
Nursing Research

Why is a course in research

methods part of this
program???

What are your gut feelings

about taking this class???
Are you
excited?
full of dread?
fearful
curious
angry
ready for this whole thing to
be over?!
Research and the
Consumer

Science produces knowledge

This knowledge provides

society with more choicesor
does it control our choices?

Can be used to manipulate

Can imply info which isnt

necessarily fact
What do I believe???

One study says to do one

thing; another study says that
I should do the opposite!

What is a person to do?

 Read the study?

Do you simply How do you

accept the know which
findings studies are
because they credible?
are scientific?
This course will
help!
 Why get excited
about research?
The essence of How can?
all research
originates in Why is?
curiosity - a
desire to find What is the best
way to?
out how and
why things What
happen causes?

What are the

effects of?

I wonder...
 Importance of
Nursing Research

Nurses ask questions aimed at

gaining new knowledge to
improve pt. care

Research-based (evidence
based) practice = integrating
research findings into clinical
decision making
 Importance of
Nursing Research

Accountability for care-related

decisions; research expands
nursing practice

Reinforce identity of nursing

as a profession knowing/
understanding pts. health
care experience
 History of Nursing
Research

Began with Nightingale and

Crimean War- mid 1800s
Early 1900s problems in nursing:
education, staffing issues
1960s Practice oriented research;
first nursing research journals
1983 - ANA Center for Research
for Nursing
History of Nursing
Research

1986 - National Center for

Nursing Research (NIH);
awards/grants to support
nursing research & training

1993 Re-designated at NIH

as the National Institute of
Nursing Research (NINR)
Scientific Inquiry

Observable, verifiable data

collected to:
Describe

Explain

Predict events
 Scientific Method

Select/define a problem

Formulate research
question/hypothesis

Collect data

Analyze data

Report results
Scientific Method
2 Unique Characteristics:

Objectivity distance
research from personal
beliefs, values, attitudes
Why???

EmpiricalData
documenting objective
data through direct
observation = reality
 Scientific Method

Test:
Ideas

Hunches

Guesses

Doesnt that sound like

fun???
 Nursing Research

Application of
scientific method to
areas of interest to
nursing

Primarily involves
studying people
People do not
behave
consistently as do
objects/chemicals
in a laboratory!

This poses special challenges!

 Continuum of
participation

Consumers of research
read and evaluate

Participate in the research

process, utilize findings

Conduct research
 Quantitative
Research

Formal, objective, systematic

process using
measurement

hypothesis testing

data analysis

Traditional approaches such as

experiments, questionnaires,
surveys
 Qualitative Research

Evaluate subjective life experiences

and give meaning to them

Focuses on understanding
phenomena from an individuals
perspective

Approaches: observation, in-depth

interviews, case studies, narrative
analyses
 Triangulation

Using both quantitative and

qualitative methods to collect
data
May combine various research
designs/data collection
techniques in the same study
combine psychosocial surveys,
interviews, observations
Two approaches are
complimentary and can give an
accurate reflection of reality.
 The Research
Language - Some
Terminology
Variable

Data

Rigor

Control

Sampling

Setting
Concept of Variable

Measurable characteristic
that varies among subjects

Research is conducted
because this variance occurs!

Types:
Independent presumed
cause

Dependent presumed
effect
 Data
Pieces of information obtained in
a study

Are the actual values of the

study variables

Quantitative - numeric values

Qualitative- narrative
descriptions
Concept of RIGOR
Striving for excellence in
research. Involves:
Discipline

Adherence to detail

Strict accuracy!

Uses precise measurement

tools
 Concept of
CONTROL

Using rules to decrease error

and increase probability that
study findings are an accurate
reflection of reality

Ensure results that reflect true

relationship among variables

Reduction of the influence of

unwanted extraneous variables
 Concept of
SAMPLING

Who/what do you want to

study?

Choosing subjects who are

representative of the study
population

Random & Non-Random

Sampling
 Concept of SETTING
Location of the study - can affect
results

Natural Setting: Uncontrolled, real

life situation

Partially Controlled: Manipulated or

modified in some way

Highly Controlled: Artificial

environment for sole purpose of
doing research. Decreases effects
of outside influences.
 Some Myths About
Research

The purpose of research is to

prove or confirm a theory.

Research findings are presented as

complete and conclusive answers.

There is a hierarchy of research

methodology that places true
experimental research at the top.
 Intro to the
Research Process

Involves decision making - what

methods will help to answer a
research question/test a
hypothesis?

Is flexible - multiple possibilities,

each with its own
strengths/weaknesses

Is a circular process
 The Research
Process
What do I want to know?
Does anyone else know anything
about this?
Ill make an educated guess about
what I think the answer to my
question will be.
Heres what Im going to do to try to
answer my question.
 The Research
Process

Ill try to make sense out of all

this info Ive collected.

What did I find? Was my

hunch supported?

What do I want to know

now???
Major Phases in the
Research Process

1. Selecting and defining the

problem in need of
investigation

2. Selecting a research design

3. Collecting data

4. Analyzing data

5. Utilizing the Findings

 Phase 1

Selecting and defining the problem

(area of research)

ID a question or area where

knowledge can be advanced

Review related literature for

rationale to do study

ID theoretical framework for

interpreting results (maybe) (see
chap 3)

Propose research question and/or

hypothesis
 Phase 2

Choose study or research design

ID Study Population (chap 8)

Design Sampling Plan (chap 11)

Define how will variables be

measured
Setting
How data will be collected - tools

Pilot Study - Revisions

 Phase 3
Data Collection - according to pre-
established plan (implements the plans
designed in Phase I & II) (chap 9)
recruiting
obtaining consent
training staff
collecting data

Organization of the data

How do you analyze the data?
(must be appropriate form)

May be the longest phase of the

research process
 Phase 4

Data Analysis

Interpret findings

Draw conclusions

Hypothesis is supported or
rejected (chap 10)

How best to utilize findings?

New question formulated? (can

lead to new questions that can
stimulate further study)
 Phase 5

Disseminate findings - Share

findings with colleagues

May report findings in journal

articles, oral presentations,
poster presentations

Utilize findings - use in nursing

practice
Classification of research is
based on the purpose of a study
and the amount of control
 Types of Research:
Basic Vs. Applied
Basic or Pure Research:

Pursuit of knowledge or finding

truth

Generates, refines or tests

theory

Often uses laboratory setting

Findings may not be directly

useful in practice

May be used later in

development of
treatment/drug/theory
 Basic Vs. Applied
Applied or Practical Research

Knowledge intended to directly

influence clinical practice

Conducted in actual practice

conditions

Solveproblems, make decisions,

predict/control outcomes

Evaluate interventions

Test/validate theories

Evaluate
Basic research
knowledge for usefulness
The research findings contribute
to some modifications of present
practices.
Ie: patient care, education,
administration
 Experimental vs.
nonexperimental
Experimental: Nonexperimental:
Researcher Describes or looks
manipulates or at relationships(s) or
controls variable(s) correlation between
and observes effect variables.
in other variable(s)
Variables are not
Evaluates cause manipulated by the
and effect researcher
relationship
Ex: Correlation
Ex: Does a pre-op between HRT use
intervention program and breast CA
to self efficacy
affect self care
measures post-op?
 Descriptive
Research
Uses questionnaires, surveys,
interviews or observations to
collect data
 Correlation
Research
Relationships between and
among variables
Collection of data on at least 2
variables for the same group of
individuals
Calculator-the correlation
between the measurer
Highest number of research
studies in nursing are classified
as description correlation design
 Time dimension:
Retrospective vs.
Prospective
Retrospective: Prospective:
Examines data examines data
already collected being collected in
in the past the present

Ex: Review of Ex: Study

medical records describing social
to examine support and
previous history in coping
of cholesterol mechanisms of
levels in s/p MI women with
patients ovarian CA
 Time Dimension:
Cross-Sectional vs.
Longitudinal
Cross-sectional: Longitudinal:
Collects data at Studies
one point in examines
time variables of
interest over a
What exists period of time
today? Advantages
ability to
collect data on
the same
individual over
time
Many Approaches to
Research

Choice of
design
the fun
part!