Introduction to Nursing Research

Significance and Purpose

Methodological Foundation
(Quantitative and Qualitative)
Knowledge and Methods
Level of Evidences

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Significance and Purpose

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Importance of Research to Nursing (1 of 2)
• Many people are unaware nurses conduct research.
• Nurses must seek opportunities to discuss research and
make results available to the general public.
• Research and evidence-based knowledge from nursing
and sciences were identified as basis for practice.
• Nurses must take the lead to communicate results and
encourage use of research findings in practice settings.

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Importance of Research to Nursing (2 of 2)
• Research knowledge will help you become an excellent
nurse.
• If an intervention is not based on research evidence,
there is no way to determine that the intervention is the
optimum one.

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Definitions of Nursing Research (1 of 2)
• The systematic, objective process of analyzing
phenomena of importance to nursing
• Nursing research includes all studies concerning:
– Nursing practice.
– Nursing education.
– Nursing administration.
– Nurses themselves.

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Definitions of Nursing Research (2 of 2)
• Clinical nursing research
– Nursing research that involves clients
– Studies that have the potential to affect the care of
clients
▪ Studies with patients or with so-called normal
participants
– Scientific method is only one source of nursing
knowledge.
▪ Generally considered to be the most reliable

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Purposes of Nursing Research (1 of 3)
• Basic
– Concerned with generating new knowledge
• Applied
– Concerned with using knowledge to solve immediate
problems

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Purposes of Nursing Research (2 of 3)
• Basic research
– Generates new knowledge
– Knowledge for knowledge’s sake
– Develops, tests, and refines theories
– Often uses laboratory animals as subjects
– Immediate application of results is rare

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Purposes of Nursing Research (3 of 3)
• Applied research
– Uses new knowledge to near future
– Majority of nursing research

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Applied Research
• Difficulty distinguishing two purposes
– Findings of basic research are sometimes applied
quickly.
– Applied research findings actually lead to basic
studies.
– Difference related more to funding than purpose.

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Goals for Conducting Nursing Research
• Promote evidence-based nursing practice
• Ensure credibility of the nursing profession
• Provide accountability for nursing practice
• Document cost effectiveness of nursing care

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Methodological Foundation
(Quantitative and Qualitative)
Knowledge and Methods

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Quantitative and Qualitative Research (1 of 2)
• Nurse researchers conduct both quantitative and qualitative
studies.
• Quantitative research
– Objectivity
– Tight controls
– Generalization of findings
– Typically designed to collect numerical data
• Qualitative research
– Concerned with the subjective meaning of experiences to
individuals
– Natural setting with a small number of research participants

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Quantitative and Qualitative Research (2 of 2)
• In the past, nurse researchers have primarily conducted
quantitative research.
• Number of nurse researchers who conduct qualitative
research has increased.

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Sources of Nursing Knowledge
• Tradition
– The handing down of knowledge from one generation
to another
• Experts, authorities
– Past: nurses looked to physicians
– Today: nurses have a unique body of nursing
knowledge
• Trial and error
– Means of discovering knowledge
– Reasons for success or failure not determined
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Scientific Research (1 of 4)
• Researcher uses systematic, orderly, and objective
methods
• Scientific method is based on empirical data.
– Data gathered through the senses
• Researcher’s opinions and personal biases should not
influence the findings.

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Scientific Research (2 of 4)
• Similarities with problem-solving approach
– Identify problem areas
– Establish plans of action
– Collect data and information
– Evaluate data results

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Scientific Research (3 of 4)
• Varied Purposes
– Problem-solving approach
▪ Specific in scope
▪ Seeks a solution to a problem in specific setting
▪ Uses knowledge for people in specific setting

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Scientific Research (4 of 4)
– Broader in scope
– Obtains data for generalization
– Applies knowledge to other people and settings

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Level of Evidence

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Promote Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
(1 of 2)

• Major reason is to foster optimum care for clients.

• Evidence-based nursing practice (EBNP)
– Clinical decisions based on:
▪ Best research evidence.
▪ Nurses’ clinical expertise.
▪ Health care preferences of clients.
– Aim is to provide best possible care based on the best
available research.

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Promote Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
(2 of 2)

• Nursing profession exists to provide a service to society.

– Should be based on accurate knowledge
• Research determined to be the most reliable means of
obtaining knowledge.

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Pyramid of Evidence (Susan Salmond)
Ensure Credibility of Nursing Profession
• Nursing considered a vocation rather than a profession
• Establishing own body of knowledge distinct from other
disciplines
• Research helps determine what makes nursing
profession unique.
• Ranked highest on honesty and ethical standards

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Provide Accountability for Nursing
Practice
• Increased independence brings a need for more
accountability
• Nurses must have a sound rationale for their actions.
• Nurses have responsibility of keeping knowledge base
current.

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Copyright

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