Nursing Research Dr.Meena Ganapathy

Methods of acquiring knowledge Tradition Authority Borrowing Trial & error Personal experience Role modeling Intuition Reasoning

Levels of development of knowledge Novice Advance beginner Competent Proficient Expert

Reasoning Deductive: General to specific Eg: All human beings experience loss. All infants are human beings, hence infants will experience loss if mother is absent. Inductive: Specific to general. Eg; A head ache is altered level of health that is stressful. It can be induced that all altered level of health is stressful.

Difference btw inductive & deductive reasoning

What Is Research? To search again To examine carefully Diligent and systematic inquiry Discovery Goal is to develop an empirical body of knowledge for a discipline

What is research? Research is systematic inquiry that uses disciplined methods to answer questions or solve problems. The ultimate goal of research is to develop, refine, and expand a body of knowledge.

Definition Polit & Hungler (1995) defined nursing research as a “ systematic search for knowledge about issues important to nursing profession”. Polit & Beck (2008) define research as systematic, enquiry designed to develop trustworthy evidence about issues of importance to nursing profession. “ It is a systematic approach to examining phenomena important to nursing & nurses”. Lara Talbot (1995) “It is a systematic objective process of analyzing phenomena important to nursing”. Rose Marie Nieswiadomy(1998). Phenomena is a fact that is not fully understood.

Meaning It is a scientific process because the results are verifiable. It is an organized investigation of a problem, facts & relationship. It is pursuit of a definite objective with due control followed by analyses using statistical procedure. It is an abstraction (Known, yet not clearly) It is one type of problem – solving with more rigor It is control and prediction

Problem Solving Method There are many problems which needs to be handled for smooth life. Steps in problem solving Assessment Diagnoses( Problem identification ) Find out solutions Choose the most appropriate solution Implementation Evaluation Re plan Nursing Process is a method of problem solving

Difference between research & Scientific problem solving All elements must be clearly & precisely described Data have to be analyzed with appropriate statistics Control of extraneous variables mandatory Problem solving Clarity & precision are important, it is not demanded Not essential Not mandatory

Difference between research & Scientific problem solving Primary aim is generalization to population By replication findings can be verified There is a moral obligation to report the findings in writing Can not generalize findings Can not be verified No such obligation

Scientific Research It is a systematic, controlled, empirical & critical investigation of natural phenomena guided by theory & hypotheses about the presumed relations among such phenomena. (Fred N Kerlinger, 1986). Empirical means based on experience or experiment rather than ideas.

Characteristics of scientific research It involves some hypothetical preposition A hypothetical preposition is a a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more phenomena or variables. (A hunch). It is systematic & controlled. It is replicable It is empirical- based on objective reality

Main Need for Nursing Research It validates nursing as a profession It provides scientific basis for nursing practice It demonstrates accountability of the profession

Other needs for nursing research To mould attitudes, intellectual competence & technical skills Fills the gap in knowledge & practice Fosters a commitment & accountability to consumer Identifies the role of nurse in changing society Helps administration to take prompt decision Helps to improve the standards in nursing education Refines the existing theories & helps in discovery of new theories

For its prestige To describe the state of affairs To isolate problem areas To determine solutions for problems To contribute to knowledge To collect facts To analyze standards To guide for action

Areas of Nursing research Education Administration Clinical

Need for nursing research in India For prestige of profession To isolate problem areas To determine solutions for problem To collect facts To contribute to knowledge To analyze standards To guide for actions

Role of Nurses in Research Dr. Meena Ganapathy

Role of nurses in research Research participant – Clara Maass, a nurse (1876- 1901) participated in a study to isolate vector mosquito for yellow fever. She died of the disease Lots of nurses are participants of the HIV vaccination trial at NARI, Pune. Research Advocate: Nurses can make the participants aware of their rights , risk, benefit & assurance of confidentiality & anonymity E.g.., West Bengal study on injectable contraceptives.

Role of nurses in research Research assistant: assisting in data collection & data analysis Research evaluator: able to read reports & evaluate its relevance & apply it to nursing practice Research expert: nurses with masters & doctoral degrees may act as experts Investigator: conduct actual research

Role of a registered nurse in research Read, interpret & utilize research in work area Identify areas of need & conduct mini research Collaborate with other researchers Act as an advocate for participants

Role of an educator in research Use findings to teach latest information Can use other field researches to improve teaching & methods Instigate research zeal in her students Guide students in their mini research

Role of an administrator in research Being aware of resources & making it available to nurses Providing a climate for research Conducting regular journal clubs to critique articles Allowing staff to attend conferences & presentations Participating in institutional ethical committee Collaborating with other clinical researches Reviewing research plans for feasibility Evaluate completed research for practice

Using Research in Practice Synthesis of knowledge (research, theory, and clinical experiences) Effect of philosophy Making a change in practice Evaluation of change for patient, provider, and health care system

Role of an researcher Can become a trained research worker

Characteristics of good research Characteristics of a Good Research Interesting & Novel Clear & comprehensive with attention to detail, and a certain level of knowledge of the subject matter. ethical in all methodologies Should guarantee conclusive and objective results.

Characteristics of good research Systematic Organized All elements are clearly & precisely described Has a definite objective with due control analyses data using statistical procedure generalization to population is possible

Characteristics of good research findings can be verified by replication Follows principles of research ethics Relevant Instruments used are valid & reliable No plagiarism. Duly acknowledges relevant sources used Documented following some standard protocol Published

Terminologies Dr.Meena Ganapathy

Terminologies Concept: A mental or word picture of a phenomenon that is based on presence or absence of certain characteristics Conceptual framework: a network of inter related concepts that provide a structure for organizing & describing the phenomena of interest Control: The process of preventing extraneous variables influence on the dependent variable, which might alter the true effect between the study variables

Data: The pieces of information collected that pertains to the study variables Hypothesis: A hunch or a statement of expected relationship between the independent & dependent variable Limitations: Weakness in a study, such as uncontrolled variables, that limit the generalizability of the findings

Operational definition: The definition or description of a study variable that specifies how it will be measured Research: A scientific process of inquiry that involves purposeful, systematic, and rigorous collection, analysis, and interpretation of data to gain new knowledge

Theory: A set of interrelated concepts that provide a systematic method of organizing, integrating and conceptualizing a phenomenon Theoretical / Conceptual definition: The definition or description of a study variable that is drawn from the theoretical or conceptual framework

Variable: A characteristics or attribute that varies or differ among the persons or objects being studied Generalizability: The ability to relate the study findings from the sample to large population

Basic Terminology Quantitative Research – objectivity, control, numerical data & ability to generalize findings Qualitative Research – subjective, narrative nonnumeric data Researcher-investigator, scientist, principal investigator, project director, collaborators

Variables: A characteristic or attribute that varies or differs among persons or objects under study Instrumentation: process of selecting or developing devices & methods appropriate for measuring variables under study.