This document provides an overview of nursing research. It defines nursing research and discusses its purpose and goals which include generating knowledge to guide nursing practice and improve patient care. The document also discusses different types of research such as quantitative and qualitative research. It outlines various research approaches and models that can be used to promote evidence-based practice in nursing.

1. RESEARCHJOFRED M. MARTINEZ, RN, MAN • ST. ANTHONY’S COLLEGE
INTRODUCTION TO
NURSING

2. • having the capacity for critical thought
• possessing analytical skills
• having the skills to gain access to relevant research
and evidence
• having a critical understanding of research
processes
• being able to read and critically appraise research
and other types of evidence
• having an awareness of ethical issues related to
research.

3. RE – SEARCH
The word was derived from the old French word
cerchier, meaning to“seek or search”.
The prefix re means “again” and signifies replication
of the search.
One seeks new knowledge or to directly utilize
knowledge specific to life situations.

4. Webster (1971), “research is a studious inquiry or
examination, investigation, or experimentation aimed
at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision
of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts
or practical applications of such new or revised
theories or laws.”

5. Treece and Treece (1973) stated: “Research is an
attempt to gain solutions to problems. It is the
collection of data in a rigorously controlled situation
for the purpose of prediction or explanation.”
Best (1968) stated: “Research is a formal systematic
and intensive process of carrying on a specific
analysis for the purpose of discovery and
development of an organized body of knowledge.”

6. Polit and Beck (2004) - systematic inquiry designed to
develop knowledge about issues of importance to the
nursing profession, including nursing practice, education,
administration and informatics.
Burns and Grove (2005) - defined nursing research as a
“scientific process that validates and refines existing
knowledge and generates new knowledge that directly
and indirectly influences clinical nursing practice.

7. Vreeland (1973), stated that “Nursing research is
concerned with the systematic study and
assessment of nursing problems or phenomena;
finding ways to improve nursing practice and
patient care through creative studies; initiating and
evaluating change; and taking action to make new
knowledge useful in nursing.”

8. Treece and Treece (1973), stated: “Nursing research
includes the breadth and depth of the discipline of
nursing and the rehabilitative, therapeutic, and
preventive aspects of nursing as well as the
preparation of practitioners and personnel involved
in the total nursing sphere.”

9. According to the National Center for Nursing
Research (NCNR) (1998), “Nursing research is the
testing of knowledge that can be used to guide
nursing practice. It is concerned with examining
questions and verifying interventions based on
human experiences.”

10. Committee on research of the PNA - Research is an
honest scientific investigation undertaken for the
purpose of discovering new facts or establishing
new relationships among facts already known which
will contribute to the present body of knowledge and
can lead to effective solution of the present
problem. It involves careful or critical thinking to
revise or to revalidate accepted conclusions and
previously held concepts or established generations
or principles. (PNA, 1995)

11. Nieswiadomy – systematic objective process of
analyzing phenomena of importance to nursing.
Clinical nursing research indicates nursing
research involving clients or studies that have the
potential for affecting the care of clients, such as
with the studies of animals or the so-called
normal subjects.

12. Customs and tradition - “we’ve always done it that
way”.
Assembled information (e.g., quality improvement data)
Scientific research – the most objective and the source
of nursing knowledge.
Trial and error – “if it works, we’ll use it”.
Logical reasoning (inductive & deductive)
Experts or authorities

13. Reliability/Generalizations - findings can be applied to
situation or population larger than the one studied
Order
Control- minimize bias and maximize the precision and
validity of data gathered.
Empiricism-objective methods of seeking information
Systematic- systematic fashion from identifying a
problem to conclusions and recommendations

14. Identification
Description
Exploration
Explanation
Prediction
Control

15. RA 9173 Section 28 (e )states that:
It shall be the duty of the nurse to:
(e) Undertake nursing and health human resource
development training and research which shall
include, but not limited to the development of
advance nursing practice.

16. 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.

17. ANA-1989
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

18. ANA-1989
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

19. ANA-1989
Post Doctoral Degree
1. Assumed a full researcher role and has a funded
program of research
2. Develop and coordinate funded research programs

20. Kristhoff, 1991)
1. Intellectual curiosity
2. Creative thinking
3. Critical thinking
4. Ability to relate study to a known theory
5. Patience and discipline to push the study through
6. Intellectual honesty
7. Sense of humor

21. The NURSING PROCESS is an orderly and systematic
manner of determining the client’s problems, making
plans to solve them, initiating plans or assigning
others to implement them, and evaluating the
effectiveness of those plans.

22. NURSING RESEARCH NURSING PROCESS
1. Problem Identification
• Conceptualize topic
• Curiosity about the topic
• Brainstorm with peers
• Review related literature
• Develop conceptual framework
• State specific problem
1. Assessment Phase
• Collect data from various sources
using appropriate techniques
2. Methodological Development 2. Diagnosis Phase
• Identify variables
• Formulate hypothesis
• Develop sampling size
• Develop instruments needed and
validate
• Balance validity with reliability
• Validate/organize data
• Analyze and interpret actual and
potential health problems
• Formulate nursing diagnosis

23. NURSING RESEARCH NURSING PROCESS
3. Data Management
• Collect and organize data
• Analyze data
• Interpret results of study
3. Planning Phase
• Prioritize health problems
• Identify components of
care/resources needed
• Set goals, formulate plan of care
• Select nursing actions
• Set evaluation parameters
• Update/modify as needed
4. Disseminate Findings 4. Implementation Phase
• Publish findings
• Review findings
• Critique findings
• Implement plan of care
• Collaborate with other members
• Modify plan as needed

24. YEAR EVENT
1859 Nightingale’s Notes on Nursing is published
1900 American Journal of Nursing begins publication
1923 Columbia University establishes first doctoral program
for nurses
Goldmark Report with recommendations for nursing
education is published
1936 Sigma Theta Tau awards first nursing research grant in
the United States
1948 Brown publishes report on inadequacies of nursing
education
1952 The journal Nursing Research begins publication

25. YEAR EVENT
1955 Inception of the American Nurses’ Foundation to
sponsor nursing research
1957 Establishment of nursing research center at Walter
Reed Army Institute of Research
1963 International Journal of Nursing Studies begins
publication
1965 American Nurses’ Association (ANA) sponsors nursing
research conferences
1969 Canadian Journal of Nursing Research begins
publication
1972 ANA establishes a Commission on Research and Council
of Nurse Researchers

26. YEAR EVENT
1976 Stetler and Marram publish guidelines on assessing
research for use in practice Journal of Advanced
Nursing begins publication
1978 Research in Nursing & Health and Advances in Nursing
Science begin publication
1979 Western Journal of Nursing Research begins
publication
1982 Conduct and Utilization of Research in Nursing (CURN)
project publishes report
1983 Annual Review of Nursing Research begins publication
1985 ANA Cabinet on Nursing Research establishes research
priorities

27. YEAR EVENT
1988 Applied Nursing Research and Nursing Science
Quarterly begin publication;
Conference on Research Priorities is convened by NCNR
1989 U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
(AHCPR) is established
1993 NCNR becomes a full institute, the National Institute of
Nursing Research (NINR)
The Cochrane Collaboration is established
Magnet Recognition Program® makes first awards
1994 Qualitative Health Research begins publication

28. YEAR EVENT
1995 Joanna Briggs Institute, an international EBP
collaborative, is established in Australia
1997 Canadian Health Services Research Foundation is
established with federal funding
1999 AHCPR is renamed Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality (AHRQ)
2000 NINR’s annual funding exceeds $100 million
The Canadian Institute of Health Research is launched
Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS)
is established

29. YEAR EVENT
2004 Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing begins
publication
2006 NINR issues strategic plan for 2006–2010
2010 NINR budget exceeds $140 million
2004 Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing begins
publication
Polit, D. F. & Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for
Nursing Practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 5-8

30. In the Philippines, nursing research prior to and during
the 60’s was mostly on nursing administration (51%),
and nursing education (33%), while patient care and
related studies received minimal attention, with only
13% and 3% respectively.
Teaching of research was integrated in the nursing
curriculum in the mid-sixties.

31. An analysis of nursing studies done from 1935 to 1980
shows that of the 305 studies, 123 or 40% were on
nursing service administration, 112 or 37% were on
nursing education, 47 or 15.5% were on patient care,
and 23 or 7.5% were on related studies (Williams, 1998).
In the Philippines today, nursing educators agreed that
skill in research should be one of the core
competencies of Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

32. Polit and Beck, 2008
• Heightened focus on evidence-based practice.
• Development of stronger evidence-base through
rigorous methods and multiple confirmatory
strategies.
• Greater emphasis on systematic integration of
reviews.
• Expanded local research in healthcare settings.
• Strengthening of multidisciplinary collaboration
among nurse researchers.

33. Polit and Beck, 2008
• Expanded dissemination of research findings.
• Increasing the visibility of nursing researchers.
• Increased focus on cultural issues and health
disparities.

34. Sigma Theta Tau, 2005
HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION

35. Sigma Theta Tau, 2005
PROMOTION OF HEALTH OF VULNERABLE AND
MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES

36. Sigma Theta Tau, 2005
PATIENT SAFETY AND QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE

37. Sigma Theta Tau, 2005
DEVELOPMENT OF EBP AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

38. Sigma Theta Tau, 2005
PROMOTION OF HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OLDER PEOPLE

39. Sigma Theta Tau, 2005
PATIENT-CENTERED CARE AND CARE COORDINATION

40. Sigma Theta Tau, 2005
PALLIATIVE AND END OF LIFE CARE

41. Sigma Theta Tau, 2005
CARE IMPLICATION OF GENETIC TESTING AND THERAPEUTICS

42. Sigma Theta Tau, 2005
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OF NURSE RESEARCHERS

43. Sigma Theta Tau, 2005
WORKING ENVIRONMENTS FOR NURSES

44. NURSINGJOFRED M. MARTINEZ, RN, MAN • ST. ANTHONY’S COLLEGE
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN

45. The ultimate goal of nursing is to provide evidence-
based care that provides quality outcomes for
patients and their families, healthcare providers, and
the healthcare system (Craig & Smith, 2007; Pearson et. Al., 2007)

46. Evidence-based practice is the conscientious use of
current best evidence of making clinical decisions
about patient care (Sacheet et. Al., 2000).
Evidence-based practice evolves from the integration
of the best research evidence with clinical expertise
and patient needs and values (Institute of Medicine, 2001;
Sachett, et. Al., 2000).

47. Evidence from research
Evidence-based theories
Opinion leaders/expert panels
Evidence from assessment of
patient’s history and physical
exam and availability of
healthcare resources
Clinical expertise
Information about patient’s
preferences and values
Evidence-based
clinical decision

48. The Stetler Model of research utilization to promote
evidence-based practice.
Five sequential phases of settler model:
Phase I: Preparation
Phase II: Validation
Phase III: Comparative Evaluation and
Decision Making
Phase IV: Translation/Application
Phase V: Evaluation

49. The Iowa Model of evidence-based practice
to promote quality care.
Steps of individual EBP:
1. Framing an answerable clinical question
2. Searching for relevant research-based evidence
3. Appraising and synthesizing the evidence
4. Integrating evidence with other factors
5. Assessing effectiveness

50. Validity of study findings
Clinical importance of findings
Precision of estimates of effects
Associated costs and risks
Utility in a particular clinical situation

52. 1. Identify a problem from practice and turn it into a
specific question.
2. Find the best available evidence that relates to the
specific question.
3. Critically appraise the evidence for its validity,
usefulness and methodological rigor.
4. Identify and use the current best evidence, and
together with the patient or client’s preferences
and the practitioner’s expertise and experience,
apply it to the situation.
5. Evaluate the effect on the patient or client, and
reflect on the nurse’s own performance.

53. A paradigm is a world view, a general perspective on
the complexities of the world.
POSITIVIST PARADIGM
Positivism is rooted in 19th century thought, guided by
such philosophers as Mill, Newton, and Locke.
Fundamental assumption of positivists is that there is
a reality out there that can be studied and known.
Research activity is directed at understanding the
underlying causes of phenomena.

54. CONSTRUCTIVIST PARADIGM
Constructivism began as a countermovement to
positivism with writers such as Weber and Kant.
Postmodern thinking emphasizes the value of
deconstruction—taking apart old ideas and
structures—and reconstruction—putting ideas and
structures together in new ways.

55. POSITIVIST CONSTRUCTIVIST
Fixed design Flexible design
Discrete, specific concepts Holistic
Deductive processes Inductive processes
Control over context Context-bound
Verification of hunches Emerging interpretations
Quantitative information Qualitative information
Seeks generalizations Seeks patterns

56. RESEARCHJOFRED M. MARTINEZ, RN, MAN • ST. ANTHONY’S COLLEGE
CLASSIFICATIONS OF

57. 1. BASIC / PURE RESEARCH
• It is done for the intellectual pleasure of learning
to search for knowledge for its own sake and
eventually filter down the result into real life
situation.
2. APPLIED RESEARCH
• It results from present problems or from socially
disorganized situations. It frequently raises
theoretical questions that must be answered by
basic/ pure research.

58. 1. BASIC / PURE RESEARCH
• It is done for the intellectual pleasure of learning
to search for knowledge for its own sake and
eventually filter down the result into real life
situation.
2. APPLIED RESEARCH
• It results from present problems or from socially
disorganized situations. It frequently raises
theoretical questions that must be answered by
basic/ pure research.

59.  To solve a problem
 To make a decision
 To develop a new program, product, and methods
 To evaluate program and methods.

60. 3. ACTION RESEARCH
• The process involves the study of certain problem
and from that experience, decisions, actions and
conclusion are drawn.
• Findings are limited to settings actually studied.

61. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Quantitative research is a formal, objective and
systematic process in which the numerical data are used
to obtain information. It is used to describe variables,
examine relationships among variables.
Quantitative research requires the use of: structured
interviews, questionnaires , or observations; scales; and
physiological instruments that generate numerical data.

62. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
The types of quantitative research are:
Descriptive
Correlational
Quasi-experimental
Experimental

63. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Qualitative research is a systematic, interactive and
subjective approach used to describe life experiences
and give them meaning (Marshall & Rossman, 2006;
Munhall, 2001). It is conducted to describe and promote
understanding of human experience such as pain, caring
and comfort. It is an interpretative methodological
approach to produce more of a subjective science than
quantitative research.

64. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
The types of qualitative research are:
Phenomenological research
Grounded theory
Ethnographic research
Historical case study

65. QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE
Objective data Subjective data
Explanation Discovery
Parts are equal to the whole Whole is greater than the parts
One truth Multiple truths
Large sample sizes Small sample sizes
Subjects Participants/respondents
Results presented as statistics Results presented as narrative
data
Researcher separate from the
study
Researcher part of the study

68. DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH METHODS
Descriptive research provides accurate portrayal or
account of characteristics of particular individuals,
situations or groups.
The types of descriptive research methods:
Surveys
Analytical studies
Causal comparative research

69. SURVEYS
Data are gathered from a relatively large number of
cases at a particular time.
1. COMMUNITY SURVEYS
Conducted in communities defines by territorial
boundaries, interests, social and economic conditions,
and a common bond of solidarity.

70. SURVEYS
2. NORMATIVE SURVEYS
Conducted to determine the normal or typical
condition of situations or people.
3. SOCIAL SURVEYS
Social surveys aim to study and diagnose a current
social problem, situation or population within a
definite place so as to formulate a constructive
program of social reform and amelioration.

71. SURVEYS
4. SCHOOL SURVEYS
Investigations conducted in schools.
Types of school surveys:
a. Outside expert surveys
b. Self-surveys
c. Combined surveys

72. SURVEYS
Topics that may be used for school surveys:
a. Comprehensive survey
b. Educational survey
c. Building survey

73. ANALYTICAL STUDIES
Studies involving analysis.
1. JOB AND ACTIVITY ANALYSIS
Describes activities of persons who are observed,
classified and analyzed. The questions raised in the
study are who, what, where, and when. It employs a
sampling of observations rather than continuous
observation.

74. ANALYTICAL STUDIES
2. DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
Critical analysis of the content written and printed
materials as sources of data.
CAUSAL COMPARATIVE RESEARCH
Discover the antecedents or factors that contribute to
some observable facts.

75. CAUSAL COMPARATIVE RESEARCH
Discover the antecedents or factors that contribute to
some observable facts.
1. JOB AND ACTIVITY ANALYSIS
Describes activities of persons who are observed,
classified and analyzed. The questions raised in the
study are who, what, where, and when. It employs a
sampling of observations rather than continuous
observation.

76. CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH METHODS
Examines relationships between two or more variables
and determines the type (positive or negative) or degree
(strength) of relationship.
QUASI EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH METHODS
Identify causal relationships, to determine the
significance of causal relationship, and to clarify why
certain events happen, or a combination of these.

77. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH METHODS
The researcher structures the situation so there will be a
sound basis for determining the effect of the dependent
variable in relation to the independent variable and how
much is due to chance.
The study subjects belong either to the control group or
the experimental group.
Twiss and colleagues (2009) tested the effect of an exercise intervention for breast
cancer survivors with bone loss on the women’s muscle strength, balance, and fall
frequency. Some women received the 24-month intervention, and others did not.

78. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH METHODS
Four strategies:
a. Manipulation of the independent variables;
b. Use of an experimental group that is exposed to the
independent variable or experimental factor and
another group that is not exposed to the independent
variable or experimental factor.

79. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH METHODS
Four strategies:
c. Random selection of sample members of the control
or experimental groups; and
d. Measurement of the effects of the independent
variable on the dependent variable before and after
the manipulation of the independent variable.

80. AFTER-ONLY EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUE
Investigator assigns the subjects to an experimental
group and a control group but collects the data only at
the end of the treatment or exposure to the
independent variable.

81. BEFORE AND AFTER EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUE
SINGLE GROUP OR ONE-GROUP DESIGN
Steps:
1. pre-testing of the dependent variable
2. exposure of the subjects to the experimental
variable
3. post-testing of the subjects; and
4. Comparison of the results of the two tests to
determine the effect of the independent variable

82. BEFORE AND AFTER EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUE
TWO-GROUP BEFORE AND AFTER TECHNIQUE
Steps:
1. matching subjects on the basis of a matching
variable;
2. exposing the experimental group to the
experimental factor and the control group to the
ordinary treatment;
3. Testing both groups on the dependent variable; and
4. Comparing the results to determine the effect of
the experimental factor.

83. TWO GROUPS WITH CONTROL GROUP TECHNIQUE
Study subjects are selected from the target population
and are further subdivided into the experimental and
control groups by the process of random assignment.
The experimental group is subjected to different
experimental factors while the control group is tested
with the ordinary treatment.
The results are compared to determine the effects of
the experimental factors.

84. Concepts relevant to quantitative research:
PURE OR BASIC RESEARCH
The search for new knowledge includes establishment of
fundamental theories or relationships among facts not
intended for immediate use in real life-situations.
APPLIED RESEARCH
Scientific investigations conducted to generate
knowledge that will directly influence or improve a
clinical situation, make a decision, develop or evaluate a
procedure, program or product.

85. Concepts relevant to quantitative research:
RIGOR IN QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Rigor involves discipline, scrupulous adherence to
details and strict accuracy.
CONTROL
Imposing conditions on the research situations so
that biases are minimized and precision and validity
are maximized.

86. PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS
Humanistic study of phenomenon that is conducted in
a variety of ways according to the philosophy of the
researcher.
Participant’s lived experiences are expressed through
the researcher’s interpretation and underlying
philosophy of the phenomenological study.
Schachman (2010) conducted in-depth interviews to explore the lived experience of
first-time fatherhood from the perspective of military men deployed to combat
regions during birth.

87. GROUNDED THEORY RESEARCH METHODS
Useful for discovering what problems exist in a social
setting and the process people use to handle them.
Grounded theory methodology emphasizes observation
and the development of practice-based intuitive to
formulate, test, and redevelop prepositions until a
theory evolves.
Propp and colleagues (2010) conducted a grounded theory study to examine critical
healthcare team processes. They identified specific nurse–team communication
practices that were perceived by team members to enhance patient outcomes.

88. ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH METHODS
Provides mechanisms for studying one’s own culture
and that of others.
Ethnography describes and analyzes aspects of the way
of life of a particular culture or subculture group.
Hessler (2009) conducted ethnographic fieldwork to investigate physical activity and
active play among rural preschool children.

89. HISTORICAL RESEARCH METHODS
Used if the researcher believes that the answer to his
research lies in the past.
This approach can shed light on current conditions and
problems through a deeper and fuller understanding of
what has already been done.

90. SOURCES OF DATA
PRIMARY SOURCES
Provides first-hand information that serves as clear
evidence about the past.
Consists of:
1. Remains or relics which are associated with a
person or group or period such as fossils, skeletons,
tools, clothing, etc.

91. SOURCES OF DATA
PRIMARY SOURCES
2. Oral or written testimony are records kept and
written by actual participants or witnesses of an
event. Such sources are transmitted as valuable
information in the future.

92. SOURCES OF DATA
SECONDARY SOURCES
Second-hand or third-hand accounts used in the
absence of primary data.
They are reports of a person who relates the testimony
of an actual witness to or participant in an event.

93. EXTERNAL CRITICISM OR AUTHENTICITY
Used to determine the genuineness of the document,
evidence or remains.
INTERNAL CRITICISM OR CREDIBILITY
Data are appraised of their internal contents. Internal
criticism weighs statements as to validity.

94. Involves an in-depth investigation of a single unit of
study, such as a person, family, group, community or
institution or a small number of subjects who are
examined intensively.
Researchers attempt to analyze and understand issues
that are important to the history, development or
circumstances under study.