Unit 1: Nursing Research

Dileep kumar
(R.N, CHN, Post R.N BSc.N)

Lecturer, Ilmiya Institute of Nursing, Karachi

 Objectives
By the end of my this lecture Students will be able;
• To define research and nursing research
• To discuss role of Nurse in research participation
• To enlist the process of research.
• To Know about the importance 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

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 Research
• Research means
– To Search Again.
– 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 and refines existing knowledge and develops
new knowledge.
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 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) 4
 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. 5
 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 of nursing.

• To define the parameters of nursing.

• For cost containment practices.

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 Role of Nurse in research participation at various
levels of education preparation (ANA-1989)
BSN Degree
1. Critiquing & synthesizing research findings from nursing
profession and other discipline for use in practice.
2. Provide valuable assistance in identifying research problems
and collecting data for studies.
Master's degree
1. To lead health care teams
– Making essential changes in nursing practice
– Health care system based on research
2. Conduct investigations
3. Initial studies in collaboration with other investigators
4. Facilitate research and Provide consultation 7
Continue
Doctoral Degree
1. Assume a major role in the conduct of research.
2. Generation of nursing knowledge in a selected area of
interest.
– Extend scientific basis
– Develop methods to measure nursing phenomena

Post doctoral degree

1. Assumed a full researcher role and has a funded
program of research
2. Develop and coordinate funded research programs
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 Nursing Research priorities

To Improve:

• Nursing as a profession

• Nursing practice

• Patient outcomes

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 Research Process in quantitative research
• Phase 1: The Conceptual Phase
– Step 1: Formulating and Delimiting (state clearly) the Problem
– Step 2: Reviewing the Related Literature
– Step 3: Undertaking Clinical Fieldwork
– Step 4: Defining Framework & Developing Conceptual Definitions
– Step 5: Formulating Hypotheses
• Phase 2: The Design and Planning Phase
– Step 6: Selecting a Research Design
– Step 7: Developing Protocols for the Intervention
– Step 8: Identifying the Population to be Studied
– Step 9: Designing the Sampling Plan
– Step 10: Specifying Methods to Measure the Research Variables
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Continue
– Step 11: Developing Methods for Safeguarding human/
Animal Rights
– Step 12: Finalizing and Reviewing the Research Plan
• Phase 3: The Empirical (Practical) Phase
– Step 13: Collecting the Data
– Step 14: Preparing the Data for Analysis
• Phase 4: The Analytic Phase
– Step 15: Analyzing the Data
– Step 16: Interpreting the Results
• Phase 5: The Dissemination Phase
– Step 17: Communicating the Findings
– Step 18: Utilizing the Findings in Practice
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 Why is research important in nursing?
• 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 the 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 bases of interventions

• Control
– Ability to write a prescription to produce the desire result.
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 History in 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
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 History in nursing research
 In addition collected the data of morbidity from Crimean War
this made the military provide:

 Enough food.
 Clear quarters for the sick.
 Appropriate medical treatment.

• These interventions made impact on public health (military

help)
– drastically reduces mortality from 43% up-to 2% in the Crimean War.
– Testing public water
– Improve sanitation
– preventing starvation.
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 History in 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) in 1924.

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 History in 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

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• 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 teachers collage Columbia University, New
York.
• Provided learning experience in research for Doctoral studies.

• late 60's saw more research being done that imported

clinical and quality of care

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• 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

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• 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 Research in 1985.
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• 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.

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 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;
– Describing variables
– Examining relationship among variables
– 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.

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 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 their environment in all their complexities. It is lived
and 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. 23
 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.

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Quantitative & Qualitative research
characteristics

S. Quan
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Quantitative and qualitative research
characteristics

S.# Qua 26
Areas of High Priority for Nurse Researcher
• Patient focused research
• The management processes within health care services
• Cultural issues for nurses and patients
• The history of nursing
• Ethical decision making
• Nursing and professional regulation
• Education of nurses
• Nursing workforce skills mix

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 References
• Polit, D.F., and Bech, C.T. “Nursing Research; principles and
Methods” 7th edition, LWW.
• Burns, N., and Grove, S.K. (2007). “Understanding Nursing
Research; building an evidence based practice” 4th edition, New
Delhi, Elsevier.
• Anonymous, (n.d). Promoting Research in Clinical Practice:
Strategies for Implementing Research Initiatives. Journal of
Trauma Nursing, April/June 2009
Acknowledgements
• Dr. Fauziya Ali Ph.D
• Tazeen Saeed Ali RN, RM, BScN, MSc ( Epidemiology)

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