1. Read textbook chapters 1, 3, 4 and 6 . After reading the assigned chapters and reviewing the posted content for this week, think about the importance of research and evidence based practice to the profession of nursing. Think of your own clinical prac

NUR 350

 There are two main types of research – quantitative and qualitative ◦ Quantitative – uses numbers, data to answer a

question

◦ Qualitative- uses thoughts and experiences to explore a topic

 We’ll discuss each in more detail in a few weeks but for now we’ll review the overall steps involved in each

 Number of steps can differ but: ◦ Research always proceeds in an orderly fashion

◦ Research always starts with the identification of the problem and ends with the utilization of the findings

 Identify the problem/determine purpose of study

 Review of the literature/develop framework  Formulate hypothesis/research question  Define study variables/terms  Select research design  Identify the population  Select the sample  Collect data  Analyze the results  Interpret and communicate the findings

 ???????

 Start with broad topic area  Narrow to specific problem statement  Get study problem from ◦ Personal experiences ◦ Literature sources ◦ Prior research ◦ Theory testing

 State problem as a question  Include population and variables  Determine the Purpose ◦ Difference between purpose and problem ◦ Problem tells what is studied ◦ Purpose tells why study is done

 Studies may have one or both

 Finds out what exists on the topic  Helps look at theory/framework  Helps address the study methods  Search a variety of sources ◦ Indexes ◦ Abstracts ◦ Dissertations ◦ Computer searches

 Continue until time to collect data  Develop a Theoretical/Conceptual Framework ◦ Research helps test, develop, refine theories ◦ Process assists in selection of study variables ◦ Directs the hypothesis and interprets findings ◦ Answers the “so what” question(s) ◦ Adds to our nursing body of knowledge

 Hypothesis predicts relationships between

variables  Hypothesis provides predicted answer to

question  Hypothesis contains two types of variables ◦ Independent variable ◦ Dependent variable

 Hypothesis is testable empirically  Types of hypothesis vary  Hypothesis mostly in quantitative studies ◦ Directional ◦ Non-directional ◦ The Null hypothesis

 They must be clear to the researcher and reader

 The definitions may be ◦ Dictionary

◦ Theoretical

◦ Operational

 The operational definition helps with study replication

 Helps determine how study is planned

 Varies with the type of study conducted ◦ Quantitative vs. Qualitative

◦ Experimental vs. Non-experimental

◦ Experimental may be divided

 True experimental

 Quasi-experimental

 Pre-experimental

Population ◦ Target ◦ Accessible

 Generalization Select the Sample  A subgroup of the population  It represents the population  It helps with generalization Types of samples ◦ Probability Samples ◦ Non-probability Samples

Voluntary aspect of participation Permission secured and rights protected

Data

 Pieces of information or facts

 Data collection procedures are followed

 Questions asked are ◦ What data? ◦ How is it collected? ◦ Who collects the data? ◦ Where is it collected? ◦ When will it be collected?

Organize the Data for Analysis

 This step is planned from the beginning

 It uses the help of a statistician

 Decisions are made about missing data

 The process is easier now

 Data is placed into computerized statistical packages

 Results are analyzed instantaneously

Interpret the Findings  Do the data support the research hypothesis?  Do the data not support the research hypothesis?  Problems encountered are discussed  Limitations of the study are presented  Results are compared with other studies  Implications are identified  Recommendations are proposed Communicate the Findings  A very critical component of the process  A variety of ways are used

◦ Journals ◦ Presentations ◦ Posters

Utilize the Findings  Recommendations need considerations  Integration into practice are critical components  Researcher may act as a consultant for using findings  Researcher must disseminate findings in many ways

 Inductive or open to new ideas and theories

 Concerned with in-depth descriptions of people or events

 4 common approaches ◦ Phenomenology

◦ Grounded theory

◦ Ethnography

◦ Historical

 Identify the phenomenon to study

 Select the research design

 Review the literature

 Select the sample

 Collect the data

 Analyze the data

 Communicate the study results

 General to more focused

 Broad statements

 Purpose statement

 Depends on the phenomenon being studied

 Debate on when to do this

 May bias the study results

 Preferred at the end of the study

 Tells how results fit with the body of knowledge

 Smaller in size

 No set rules

 Saturation is more important

Also need to gain entry to the research site ◦ IRB approval

◦ Key informants

 Begins when the data is collected

 Content analysis procedures (software programs)