Research: Systematic inquiry that uses that uses disciplined methods to answer questions

or solve problems. Research is (1) central to nursing theory development; (2) builds
knowledge base of nursing; (3) increases accountability in client care; (4) improves the
quality of human life.
RESEARCH PROCESS:
1. STATE A RESEARCH PROBLEM: Specify the research problem that needs to
be explained, described or predicted. When specifying a research problem there
are 5 important considerations:
a. Significance is the potential to contribute to nursing science by enhancing
client care, testing or generating a theory, or resolving a day-to-day clnical
problem. The question “so what?’ must be answered adequately to
determine whther a research problem is significant.
b. Usefulness implies its relevance and potential application to nursing
practice.
c. Researchability means that the problem can be subjected to scientific
investigation by using appropriate and sound methodology.
d. Feasibility pertains to practical issues, such as availability of time and the
material and human resources needed to investigate a research problem or
question.
e. Ethically sound is if ethical issues are addressed by adhering to rigorous
procedures and appropriate ethical reviews, where needed.
-In quantitive approaches, research problems contain:
Dependent variables: is the behaviour, characteristic, or outcome that the
researcher wants to explain or predict.
Independent variables: is the presumed cause of, or influence on, the
dependent variable.
-Qualitive studies do not contain variables.
2. DEFINE THE STUDY’S PURPOSE OR RATIONALE: Indicates what the researcher
intends to do with the research problem identified. Includes what the researcher will do,
who the subjects will be, and where the data will be collected.
3. REVIEW THE LITERATURE: What is known and what is not known about the
problem can be answered by building a foundation in order to gain new knowledge.
Researcher may acquire information through previous researches, as well as potential
flaws or problems and how to avoid them. It provides the best approach for studying the
problem.
4. FORMULATES THE RESEARCH QUESTION OR HYPOTHESIS: It may be stated
in three ways:
a. Statement; ex. “The purpose of this study IS…”
b. Question; ex. “WHAT are the communication styles of nurses…”
c. Hypothesis; if conducting an experiment the researcher must provide a
hypothesis (describes what the outcome will be so that hypothesis-testing
statistics can be applied)
5. SELECT A RESEARCH DESIGN: The overall plan for obtaining answers to the
research questions.
Quantitive research design has 3 categories:
 a. Experimental design; researcher manipulates the independent variable by
administering and experimental treatment to some subjects while withholding it
from others. Conditions are tightly controlled to objectively test the hypothesis in
order to predict case-and-effect relationships.
b. Quasi-experimental design; researcher manipulates the independent variable
but without either the randomization or the control that characterizes true
experiments.
c. Nonexperimental design; researcher does not manipulate the independent
variable, used to characterize and determine relationships or correlations among
these variables.
Qualitive research design has 3 categories:
a. Ethnographic research; is used to describe social behaviours within a
particular group or setting; the goal is to understand the culture and norms
from the participant’s viewpoint.
b. Grounded theory; research is used to develop nursing theory from collected
data.
c. Phenomenology; is a philosophical research method that regards each human
as having a unique experience
6. SELECT THE POPULATION, SAMPLE AND SETTING:
Population: includes all the members of the group who meet the criteria for the study.
Sample: is the segment of the population from whom the data will actually be collected.
7. CONDUCT A PILOT STUDY: A small-scale trial done before the actual study begin
to identify flaws and refine the research methodology in a quantitive design.
8. COLLECT THE DATA: Though questionnaires, rating scales, interviews, observation,
and biophysical measures. The validity and reliability of measurement tools must be
established before data collection starts in a quantitive design.
Validity: is the degree to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure.
Reliability: is the degree of consistency with which an instrument measures a concept or
variable.
9. ANALYZE THE DATA: Data is organized, coded, and analyzed in order to answer
the research question or testing the hypothesis.
10. INTERPRET THE FINDINGS: Reports the findings and unexpected findings that are
directly related to the research question, in order for a conclusion to be drawn.
Implications: are suggestions for ways of thinking about the phenomenon in the future.
11. COMMUNICATE THE RESEARCH: The knowledge generated must be shared
through publication, reporting the results orally, or in professional conferences.
-All human research subjects are safe-guarded by the TRI-COUNCIL POLICY:
-Respect for human dignity
-Respect for free and informed consent
-Respect for vulnerable persons
-Respect for privacy and confidentiality
-Respect for justice and inclusiveness
-Balancing harms and benefits
-Right to full disclosure
-Right of self-determination