UNIT 1: NURSING

RESEARCH
Hidayatullah
Lifesaving college of Nursing
UNIT 1: NURSING
RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lecture students
will be able;
 To define research & nursing research
 To discuss role of Nurse in research participation
 To enlist the process of research.
 To Know about the importance and characteristics of Research.
 Discuss the historical trends or history of Nursing Research.
 To review the types of research methods “ Qualitative,
Quantitative and outcomes ”
 To discuss areas of high priorities for nurse researchers
RESEARCH
 Research means
o To Search Again.
o To examine carefully.

 Research seeks answers to questions in an orderly

and systematic way.
 It is a method of problem solving.

 Definition of Research
 It is diligent (careful), systematic inquiry or study
that validates & refines existing knowledge and
develops new knowledge.
NURSING RESEARCH
Definitions
 A scientific process that validates and refines existing
knowledge and generates new knowledge that directly and
indirectly influences clinical nursing practice.
Nursing research is systematic inquiry
designed to develop knowledge about issues of importance
to the nursing profession, including nursing practice,
education, administration, and informatics.
Example of research question
 How do adults with acquired brain injury perceive their
social interactions and relationships (Paterson & Stewart,
2002)
IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH IN NURSING
1. an important tool for the continual development of a
relevant body of knowledge in nursing.
2. Research generates information from nursing investigations
which help define the unique role of nursing as a profession.
3. Professional accountability of nurses to their client is
demonstrated when nurses incorporate research evidence
into their clinical decision
4. Research facilitates evaluation of the efficacy of nurses;
practice which may articulate their role in delivery of health
services.
5. Research involves spiraling costs of health care & cost-
containment practices being instituted in health care
facilities. With research, costly trial-an-error and even unsafe
interventions are avoided.
IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH IN NURSING
6. Research may allow nurses to make more informed decisions
as each phase of the nursing process is clarified through
research.
 Research also enables nurses to

7. understand a particular nursing situation about which little is

known,
8. assess the need for an intervention,
9. identify factors that must be consider planning nursing care,
10.predict the probable outcomes of certain nursing decisions
11.control the occurrence of undesired outcomes
12.provide advice to enhance client health
13.initiate activities to promote appropriate client behavior.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
 From the Perspective of Application
1. Pure Research:
Involved in developing and testing theories and
hypothesis or may or may not have practical application
at the present time or in the future.

2. Applied Research :
Research techniques, procedures, and methods. These
are applied to various aspects of situations, issues,
problems or phenomenon.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
From the perspective of objective
Descriptive.
Attempts to describe a situation, problem, phenomenon, service, or
program.
Correlational.
To discover or establish the existence of a relationship between two
or more aspects of a situation or phenomenon
Exploratory.
Also called as a feasibility study or pilot study. Carried out to
investigate the possibilities of understanding a particular research
study.
Explanatory.
Attempts to clarify why and how there is a relationship between two
aspects of a situation or phenomenon.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
 From the perspective of type of info sought

1. Qualitative.
Purer or descriptive. The purpose of the study is to
describe a situation phenomenon, problem, or event.

2. Quantitative.
Analysis is geared to ascertain (discover ) the magnitude
(level/amount) of the variation.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
1. Research is always directed towards the solution of a problem.
2. Research is always based on empirical and observational
evidence.
3. Research involves precise observation and accurate
description.
4. Research emphasize to the development of theories,
principles, and generalizations.
5. Research is characterized by systematic, objective and logical
procedures.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
6. Research is marked by patience, courage and unhurried
activities.
7. Research requires that the researcher has full experience of
the problem being studied
8. Research is replicable.
9. Research uses systematic method of problem-solving.
10. In research the factors which are not under study are
controlled.
11. Research requires full skill of writing report
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
 Controlled. It minimizes effects of other factors affecting
research.
 Rigorous . Procedures are followed are relevant, appropriate,
and justified.
 Critical . Process of investigation must be fool proof and free
from drawbacks. The process must be able to withstand critical
scrutiny
 Valid and verifiable. Findings are correct and can be verified by
you and others.
 Empirical. Conclusions are based upon hard evidence collected
from real life experiences.
 Systematic. Follows a certain logical
sequence.
WHAT DOES RESEARCH DO?
Research enables nurses to:
 Describe the characteristics of a particular nursing
situation about which little is
known.
 Explain phenomenon that must be considered in
planning nursing care.
 Predict the probable outcome of certain nursing
decisions made in relation to client
care.
 Control the occurrence of undesired client outcomes.

 Initiate, with a fair degree of confidence, activities that

will achieve desired client behavior.
WHY DO NURSES NEED RESEARCH?
 For the continuous growth of nursing
profession.
 Helps nursing to achieve its own professional identity.
 Helps to identify the boundaries
nursing.
 To define the parameters of nursing.
 For cost containment practices.
ROLE OF NURSE IN RESEARCH
PARTICIPATION AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF
EDUCATION PREPARATION (ANA 1989)
BSN Degree
1. Critiquing & synthesizing research finding from nursing
profession and other discipline for use in practice.
2. Provide valuable assistance in identifying research problems
& collecting data studies.
Master's degree
1. To lead health care teams
o Making essential changes in nursing practice
o Health care system based on research

2. Conduct investigations
3. Initial studies in collaboration with other investigators
4. Facilitate research & provide consultation
CONTINUE
Doctoral Degree
1. Assume a major role in the conduct of research.
2. Generation of nursing knowledge in a selected area of interest.
o Extend scientific basis
o Develop methods to measure nu phenomena

Post doctoral degree

1. Assumed a full researcher role and has a funded program of
research
2. Develop and coordinate funded research programs
NURSING RESEARCH PRIORITIES
To Improve:
 Nursing as a profession

 Nursing practice

 Patient outcomes
RESEARCH PROCESS IN QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Phase 1: The Conceptual Phase

o Step 1: Formulating and Delimiting (state clearly) the Problem
o Step 2: Reviewing the Related Literature
o Step 3: Undertaking Clinical Fieldwork
o Step 4: Defining Framework & Developing Conceptual Definition
o Step 5: Formulating Hypotheses

Phase 2: The Design and Planning Phase

o Step 6: Selecting a Research Design
o Step 7: Developing Protocols for the Intervention
o Step 8: Identifying the Population to be Stud
o Step 9: Designing the Sampling Plan
o Step 10: Specifying Methods to Measure the Research Variables
o Step 11: Developing Methods for Safeguarding human/ Animal
Rights
o Step 12: Finalizing and Reviewing the Research Plan
Phase 3: The Empirical (Practical) Phase
o Step 13: Collecting the Data
o Step 14: Preparing the Data for Analysis
Phase 4: The Analytic Phase
o Step 15: Analyzing the Data
o Step 16: Interpreting the Results
Phase 5: The Dissemination Phase
o Step 17: Communicating the Findings
o Step 18: Utilizing the Findings in Practice
GOALS OR PURPOSES OF NURSING RESEARCH
 Knowledge generated through research is essential to provide a
scientific basis for:-
 Description

What exist in N/practice and discover a new knowledge.

 Explanation

Explains the existing knowledge in relation to effect and the

outcome
Like bed sore occur in the old people due to lack of mobility
 Prediction

A nurse could predict the out come on the bas of interventions

 Control

Ability to write a prescription to produce the desire result.

HISTORY OF NURSING RESEARCH
 Began with Florence Nightingale over 150 years ago
(1850).
 In (1859) describes her initial research activities which
looked at the importance of leading environment in
promoting physical and mental well being
 Ventilation
 Cleanliness
 Purity of water
 Diet
HISTORY OF NURSING RESEARCH
 In addition collected the data of morbidity from Crimean War
this made the military
provide:
o Enough food.
o Clear quarters for the sick.
o Appropriate medical treatment.

 These interventions made impact on public health (military

help)
o drastically reduces mortality from 43% up-to 2% in the Crimean War.
o Testing public water
o Improve sanitation
o preventing starvation.
HISTORY OF NURSING RESEARCH
1900- 20’s
 First Journal Published “ American Journal of nursing (1900)

 Case study appeared ( 1920 - 1930)

 In-depth analysis and systematic description of one patient or

group to promote understanding of nursing Research
 Little research done except for a few important educational
studies recommending establishing School of nursing in a
university. (Gold mark report, 1923)
 First doctoral program for nurses was at Teachers college in
Colombia. (NYC) in1924.
HISTORY OF NURSING RESEARCH
1950
 American Nurse Association (ANA) initiated a five year study
on nursing functions and activities.
 Clinical Research began

 Research took on new importance due to

vision of Virginian Henderson & Faye Abdullah;
 One could see more nurses with Master's degree and School of
Nursing began introducing research as a separate course
1952
 First Journal Of Nursing Research published.
 Researches conducted at Baccalaureate and masters level.

1953
 The institute of Research and services in Nursing education
established at tea collage Columbia University, NewYork.
 Provided learning experience in research for Doctoral studies.

 late 60's, more research being done that imported clinical and
quality of care
1970's
 Saw nursing process as focus for many studies.
 Saw increase in number of nursing theories and models.

 Image: Journal of nursing scholarly, first published in 1967 and

Advance in nursing science in 1978 ( Including Nursing
Theories) by STTI
 To tackle the issue of communication / dissemination of information
 Council of Nurse research establish
1980's
 Clinical research became the important design in research
 Saw many new journals being published e.g Cancer nursing;
Pediatric nursing, Dimension of critical care nursing etc..,
Applied nursing research.
 Clinical research written priority of the 80's
 increase funding for nursing research.
 The ANA achieved a victory by establishing the National Center for
 Nursing Researh in 1985.
 Priorities of National Center for Nursing Research 1999
includes:
 Community based nursing models.

 Effectiveness of nursing interventions in HIV/AIDS.

 Cognitive impairment.

 Living with chronic illness.

 Nursing Research Qualitative Research

Quantitative research Outcomes Research

Descriptive
Phenomenology
Correlational
Grounded theory
Quasi experimental
Ethnographic
Pre experimental
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
 Is a formal, objective, systematic process in which numerical
data are used to obtain information about the world.
 Is "hard science" it is perceived as rigorous (exact), systematic
and objective focusing on numerical data and using statistical
analysis and controls in an attempt to eliminate bias.
 It is conducted to test theory by;
o Describing variables
o Examining relationship among variables
o Determine cause and effect interaction between variables.
TYPES OF QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH:
 Descriptive- explore new areas/describe
situations.
 Correlational- examine relationships

 Quasi-experimental- effectiveness of
intervention.
 Experimental- producing positive outcomes.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
 Is a systematic, subjective approach used to describe life
experiences and situation and to give them meaning.
 "Mode of systematic inquiry concerned with understanding
human beings and the nature of their transaction with
themselves and with their
surrounding" (Benoliel, 1984, p.3).
 Qualitative research is often described as holistic
that is, concerned with humans and environment in all their
complexities. It is lived a as it is defined by the actors
themselves
TYPES OF QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH:
 Phenomenological- describes experience as
lived.
 Grounded theory- formulate, test and refine a
theory about a phenomena.
 Ethnographic- investigates cultures in depth.

 Historical- description analysis of events that

occurred in past.
OUTCOME RESEARCH
 Is focused on examining the end results of care or determining the
changes in
health status for the patient.
Four essential areas require for this
reason:
 The patients responses to medical or
N/Intervention
 Functional maintenance/improvement of physical functioning for
the patient.
 Financial outcome achieved with the provision of health care
services.
 Patients satisfaction with the health outcomes care received and
the health care provider.
QUANTITATIVE & QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICS
Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

Hard science Soft Science

Focus: concise and narrow Focus: complex and broad

Reductionistic Holistic
objective Subjective
Reasoning: Logistic, Reasoning: Dialectic,
Deductive Inductive

Basis of knowing: cause and Basis of knowing: meaning

effects,relationships discovery
QUANTITATIVE & QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICS
Quantitative Qualitative
Research Research

Tests theory Develops theory

Control Shared interpretation
Instruments Communication and
observation
Basic elements of analysis: Basic elements of
numbers analysis: words
Statistical analysis Individual interpretation
Generalization Uniqueness
AREAS OF HIGH PRIORITY FOR NURSE
RESEARCHER
 Patient focused research
 The management processes within health care services
 Cultural issues for nurses and patient
 The history of nursing
 Ethical decision making
 Nursing and professional regulation
 Education of nurses
 Nursing workforce skills