Introduction to
Nursing Research
NUR 499
Waynesburg College
Think about this…for
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 choices…or
does it control our choices?
Can be used to manipulate
Can imply info which isn’t
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
Doesn’t 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 individual’s
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?
I’ll make an educated guess about
what I think the answer to my
question will be.
Here’s what I’m going to do to try to
answer my question.
The Research
Process
I’ll try to make sense out of all
this info I’ve 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!
