1. THE RESEARCH PROCESS BY
FELIX K. NYANDE

2. THE RESEARCH PROCESS
The research process, like the scientific process and the nursing process, involves a series of distinct steps or phases that begins with identifying the problem of interest, and moves through stages of planning and implementing the study, to analyzing and reporting the results. Although the research process is often described in a linear, sequential fashion the steps may overlap. For example, the research problem and purpose identified in the “thinking” phase serve to direct the planning phase. However, as planning unfolds it may become apparent that the problem/purpose may need to be refined because of issues of feasibility.

3. Phases of the research process
Thinking
-identifying
problem & purpose
-reviewing literature
Planning
-Choosing study design & planning approach to sample, data collection etc.
Implementing
- Recruiting participants & collecting data
Analyzing
- analyze data and interpret findings
Informing
-disseminating results (journal articles, presentations etc.)
The research process, like the scientific process and the nursing process, involves a series of distinct steps or phases that begins with identifying the problem of interest, and moves through stages of planning and implementing the study, to analyzing and reporting the results. Although the research process is often described in a linear, sequential fashion the steps may overlap. For example, the research problem and purpose identified in the “thinking” phase serve to direct the planning phase. However, as planning unfolds it may become apparent that the problem/purpose may need to be refined because of issues of feasibility.
For example, your purpose may be to test the effect of a foot care education program for people newly diagnosed with diabetes who are on hemodialysis. However, as you begin to plan your study you determine that the number of people on hemodialysis who have been newly diagnosed with diabetes is very small, and therefore, you may need to extend your study to examine the effect of the program for all people with diabetes or for newly diagnosed diabetics on all forms of renal replacement therapy.
The research approach you choose (qualitative versus quantitative) will also inform the sequence of the research process. In general, quantitative research tends to progress in a linear fashion through the steps of the research process while qualitative approaches tend to have a more fluid process (e.g., data collection and analysis may occur simultaneously so that one informs the other).
No matter what research approach you take, the research process always starts with identifying the research problem (the thinking phase).
(Norwood, 2000)

4. Identifying the research problem
This is a critical first step in research process
Directs the entire research process and decisions that will be made
Being clear about the problem to be addressed assists in focusing the study
NB: Start with a broad area of interest/concern which is gradually refined until a research problem is arrived at.

5. Steps in identifying a research problem
5. Identify the purpose for your study
4. Identify a research problem
3. Narrow your topic
1. Outline areas of interest
2. Choose a topic
Observe your environment
Be curious
Ask questions
Read about your interests
Talk to your
Colleagues
Find out what others are doing

6. Steps in Identifying a Research Problem
The process of identifying a research problem is a creative and interactive one.
It should start by identifying a broad area of interest based on your practice experiences, what you have read, observed or wondered about.
Choosing something that is of interest and relevant to you is critical.
Moving from a broad area of interest to a specific research problem requires some reflection, information gathering, and dialogue.
Allow yourself plenty of time for this process.

7. Problem identification steps
The next step in problem identification process is to choosing an area of focus and to narrow the topic. The ultimate goal is to identify research problems, so begin to refine the topic to ensure that you are focusing on an area that is significant for nursing practice.

8. Identifying a research problem
If the answer to the research question is obvious, then we are dealing with a management problem that may be solved without further research.
Whether a problem requires research depends on three conditions:
There should be a perceived difference or discrepancy between what it is and what it should be;
The reason(s) for this difference should be unclear (so that it makes sense to develop a research question); and
There should be more than one possible and plausible answer to the question (or solution to the problem).

9. Topic selection
In selecting a topic to pursue you also want to consider what is already known about the issue. A brief review of the literature at this point will help identify whether this is a topic that has been well researched or one about which little is known.
Consider the topics of interest that have been identified and rank order them in terms of significance and interest.
Choose the one that you would most like to focus on.

10. Narrowing your topic
Refine your topic by becoming more specific about what you are interested in
Pose some questions about your topic to help you narrow your focus
Polit & Beck (2008) suggest some question stems to use to assist in refining your topic
What is going on with….
What is the meaning of…
What influences or causes…
What is the process by which….
What factors contribute to….
How effective is…..
Once you have chosen the area of interest, you need to begin to narrow this down into something that is researchable. The best way to do this is to begin to ask yourself some questions about the topic that can help you narrow down what it is you are interested in. A research topic can be approached from a number of different perspectives, and it is helpful at this point to begin to identify what specific aspects of your topic you are interested in and what is not of interest. At this point you might also begin to define what you mean by the terms you are using to help you narrow your focus. It is not necessary to find a dictionary definition, but rather be clear to develop a working definition of what you mean by the terms you are using.
For example, if you identified quality of life post kidney transplant you may want to ask yourself what you mean by quality of life? Are you interested in adults or children?
Then begin to ask yourself some questions to help you refine your topic such as “What influences quality of life post transplant?” “What is the meaning of quality of life for adults post transplant?” “What factors contribute to poor quality of life outcomes post transplant?” “How effective are nursing interventions at improving quality of life post transplant?”
Now, consider the topic you have selected and begin to narrow it down by brainstorming possible questions.

11. Narrowing your topic: Choosing a researchable question
Narrow down the questions you have posed by eliminating those that are not researchable
According to Brink & Wood (2001) researchable questions are
Focused on fact not opinion – answers will help to describe or explain a phenomenon
“Now” questions - deal with current, significant issues
Relevant - Generate useable information
Action oriented - usually require you to do something and provide direction for the rest of the research process.
Many of the questions you have posed about your topic will lend themselves to research while others may not. In continuing to refine your topic, it is necessary to rule out those questions that are not amenable to research.
The goal of research is to provide information to help us understand, describe or explain a topic of interest. Researchable questions provide answers that do this by requiring us to gather information about observable phenomena resulting in “facts” rather than opinions. Try to avoid asking questions that start with “should,” as this will likely elicit opinions rather than facts. For example, the question “Should all nephrology nurses obtain certification?” will elicit opinion, but will not provide us with answers that help us to understand the relevance of certification. This question could be reworded to say “What are the supports and barriers to certification for nephrology nurses?”
In general, questions that elicit a “yes” or “no” answer are not researchable because they don’t provide direction for the research process. For example, the question, “Is living with kidney disease stressful?” is likely to result in a “yes” or “no” answer (or possibly maybe) however, as a researcher this does not provide you with direction for your next step. Another way to phrase this question is “What aspects of kidney disease are stressful for patients and their families?”
Consider the questions you posed about your topic area. Can you eliminate some that are not researchable?

12. Identifying the research problem
To decide on your research problem consider the potentially researchable questions about your topic you identified earlier
Select one that you would like to explore in more depth
In choosing your focus consider
Your interests
The literature
Feasibility of studying the problem
The questions that you have posed all focus on the same general topic area, but they may reflect a different dimension of the topic (i.e., research problem) and thus will need to answered using different approaches. The questions you have identified may all be relevant to your topic however, in order to ensure that your research plan is focused and appropriate, it is important to choose one question that you think should be addressed first.
Start by rank ordering the “researchable questions” you have identified in terms of relevance/significance. Also consider which interests you the most. Discussions with your colleagues can also help you prioritize your questions and narrow down your problem.
Returning to the literature is also advisable at this point. The literature review does not need to be extensive but rather should be done to help you narrow down your problem. Reviewing the literature will help you see whether others have examined a similar problem and if so what they have found. A brief review of the literature will also help you to identify gaps and inconsistencies that support the need for further research related to your problem. Finally, feasibility issues may be uncovered in the literature that help you rule out a potential problem.

13. Identifying the research problem
To finalize the research problem consider:
Significance: relevance to practice
“Researchability”
Nature of the problem
Ethical considerations
Feasibility
Time
Funding for the study
Researcher expertise
Availability of participants
Availability of facility and equipment
political acceptability
(Polit & Beck 2008))

14. Identifying the study purpose
Clear, concise statement of the goal, aim, focus, or objective of the study (Burns & Grove, 2005)
Should include a description of
“what” = variables or phenomena of interest
“who” = sample or participants
“where” = setting
The final step in the problem identification stage is to articulate the study purpose. Writing a purpose statement helps you be clear about what you want your study to accomplish. Think about why you want to do this study. Are you interested in getting more information about a phenomenon that has not been well explored? Determining relationships among variables? Testing the effectiveness of a new intervention?
In your purpose statement be as clear as possible about what it is you will be studying among what group of people and in what setting.
For example, “The purpose of this study is to examine supports and barriers to certification among nurses working in hospital-based dialysis units in the United States.” This initial purpose statement may evolve as you delve further into the literature or begin to work through the planning phase of the research process.
Write a preliminary purpose statement for the research problem you have been working on.

15. Moving from the problem to a research project: Next steps
Reviewing and critiquing the literature related to your problem
Find out what is known
Identify approaches to studying the problem
Consider theoretical approaches to studying the problem
Further refine your problem & purpose
Move to the planning phase of your study
Throughout the problem identification process, you have been using the literature to help you to narrow your topic into a focused problem that is potentially researchable. Once you have settled on a research problem that is significant and you are interested in exploring, you need to review and critique the literature in greater depth to get a thorough understanding of what is known about your topic, what the gaps or inconsistencies are, and what the next steps should be in studying this issue. The literature review will also help you consider feasibility issues (e.g. have other researchers had difficulties in recruiting in your population?) as well as potential approaches to addressing these issues and designing your study. Module 2 in this series addresses “how to do a literature review,” and you may find it helpful to review this again at this point. Librarians are excellent resources, and if you have access to one you may find it helpful to share your preliminary problem and purpose with them to get some advice about how to proceed with reviewing the literature related to your topic.
As you work through your literature review, keep your research problem in mind and continue to refine it and revise it as you learn more about the topic. Once you have reviewed the literature and refined your study problem, then you can move on to the planning phase and begin to identify approaches to designing your research project. The approaches you take in the planning phase depend on the nature of your research problem. A detailed discussion of this phase is beyond the focus of this module. Once you have identified your research problem and have some general ideas about the approach (e.g., will your study take a qualitative or quantitative approach), you might find it helpful to consult a basic research text (some examples are provided in the reference list at the end of this module). Consulting with a colleague with research expertise might also be helpful as you move through the planning process.

16. Summary
Identifying a researchable problem is the first step in the research process and ultimately guides the remaining steps.
Research problems describe knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to understand or improve practice.
Research problems can be derived from observations, dialogue with others, and/or the literature.
In summary, identifying a researchable problem is the first step in the research process and ultimately guides the remaining steps. Research problems describe knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to understand or improve practice. Research problems can be derived from observations, dialogue with others, and/or the literature.

17. Summary (cont.)
A good research problem is relevant, current and “researchable.”
Choose a problem that is of interest to you.
Identifying a “researchable” problem is a creative process that requires time for reflection.
Seeking input from others and referring to the literature will help to narrow your problem down.
A clear and focused problem statement provides direction for the next steps of the research process - the planning phase.