Research in Nursing Assistant Professor Dr. Ali K. Al-Mesrawi (1)

What is Nursing Research? A systematic inquiry designed to develop knowledge about issues important to the nursing profession A systematic inquiry designed to develop knowledge about issues important to the nursing profession

Research Themes Changing lifestyle behavior for better health (starting healthy behaviors) Changing lifestyle behavior for better health (starting healthy behaviors) Managing the effects of chronic illness to improve quality of life Managing the effects of chronic illness to improve quality of life Identifying effective strategies to reduce health disparities التفاوت Identifying effective strategies to reduce health disparities التفاوت Harnessing تسخير advanced technologies to serve human needs Harnessing تسخير advanced technologies to serve human needs Enhancing end-of-life experience for patients and families Enhancing end-of-life experience for patients and families

Methods for Nursing Research Scientific Method and Quantitative Research Scientific Method and Quantitative Research Naturalistic Method and Qualitative Research Naturalistic Method and Qualitative Research

Importance of Nursing Research Evidence-Based Nursing Practice Evidence-Based Nursing Practice Credibility of the Nursing Profession Credibility of the Nursing Profession Accountability for Nursing Practice Accountability for Nursing Practice Documentation of Cost-Effectiveness of Nursing Care Documentation of Cost-Effectiveness of Nursing Care

The Research Process: The Sum of It’s Parts

Abstract Short comprehensive synopsis or summary of a study Short comprehensive synopsis or summary of a study Located at the beginning of a study Located at the beginning of a study Quickly focuses the reader on the main points of the study Quickly focuses the reader on the main points of the study 50 to 250 words 50 to 250 words Should accurately represent the study’s methods and results Should accurately represent the study’s methods and results

Variable A characteristic or quality that takes on different values, i.e., that varies from one person to the next A characteristic or quality that takes on different values, i.e., that varies from one person to the next –Blood type –Weight –Length of stay in hospital

Types of Variables (cont’d) Independent variable—the presumed cause (of a dependent variable) Independent variable—the presumed cause (of a dependent variable) Dependent variable—the presumed effect (of an independent variable) Dependent variable—the presumed effect (of an independent variable) Example: Smoking (IV)  Lung cancer (DV) Example: Smoking (IV)  Lung cancer (DV)

Definitions of Concepts and Variables Conceptual definition Conceptual definition –the abstract or theoretical meaning of a concept being studied Operational definition Operational definition –the operations (measurements) a researcher must perform to collect the desired information

Identification of a Research Purpose/Question Research problem An unexplained, perplexing, or troubling condition Problem statement A statement describing the research problem and indicating the need for a study

Research Question/Hypotheses Research questions The specific questions the researcher wants to answer in addressing the research problem Hypotheses The researcher’s predictions about relationships among variables

Research Design and Data –Quantitative Studies—Researchers identify variables of interest, develop operational definitions, then collect relevant data from subjects. The actual values of the study variables constitute data for the project –Qualitative Studies—Researcher primarily collects narrative data

Example of Quantitative Data

Major Methodologic Challenge Designing studies that are: Reliable and valid (quantitative studies) Reliable and valid (quantitative studies) Trustworthy (qualitative studies) Trustworthy (qualitative studies)

Criteria for Evaluating Quantitative Research Reliability The accuracy & consistency of obtained information Validity The soundness of the evidence — whether findings are convincing, well-grounded

Questions??