1. 1Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Chapter 1
Discovering the World of
Nursing Research

2. 2Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Nursing Research - What is it?
 Research: to search again
 Implications:
 a reason for conducting it
 hard work (diligence)
 some sort of method or rules
 paying attention to detail
 eventual usefulness
 something out there already

3. 3Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Nursing Research - What is it?
(Cont’d)
 In general, it is diligent and systematic. It is
an inquiry or investigation. Its purpose is to
validate and refine what is already known and
to generate new knowledge.
 Nursing research is defined as a scientific
process that validates and refines existing
knowledge and generates new knowledge
that directly and indirectly influences the
delivery of evidence-based nursing.

4. 4Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Framework Linking Nursing
Research to the World of Nursing

5. 5Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Ideas Embedded in the Framework
 A concrete-abstract continuum
 A real world in which concepts can be
measured
 Potential testing of ideas with research
 Implication of connections among philosophy,
knowledge, theory, research, and evidence-
based practice
Is this true based on your experience?

6. 6Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Knowledge Acquisition
 Abstract thought processes
 Introspection
 Intuition
 Reasoning
 Science
 Laws
 Principles
 Axioms
 Theory

7. 7Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Traditional ways Nurses Have
Acquired Knowledge
 Traditions
 Authority
 Borrowing
 Trial and error
 Personal experience
 Role-modeling and mentorship
 Philosophy

8. 8Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Roles of Nurses in Research:
Bachelor’s Degree (BSN)
 Read and critically appraise studies
 actually read some research articles
 have the ability to judge research articles’ worth
based on objective criteria
 Use best research evidence in practice with
guidance: apply findings, with supervision
 Assist with problem identification and data
collection: work with the research team
Does this really happen in your work area?

9. 9Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Roles of Nurses in Research:
Master’s Degree (MSN)
 Critically appraise and synthesize studies
 Develop and revise protocols, algorithms, and
policies for practice, based on appraisal and
synthesis
 Implement best research evidence in practice
 Collaborate on research projects and provide
clinical expertise for research
Does this really happen in your work area?

10. 10Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Roles of Nurses in Research:
Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)
 Participate in development of evidence-based
guidelines
 Develop, implement, evaluate, and revise as
needed protocols, policies, and evidence-based
guidelines in practice
 Conduct clinical studies, usually in collaboration
with other nurse researchers
Are there DNPs with whom you have worked? Is
this what they do in your institution?

11. 11Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Roles of Nurses in Research
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
 Participate in evidence-based guideline
development
 Develop, implement, evaluate, and revise as
needed protocols, policies, and evidence-
based guidelines in practice
 Conduct clinical studies, usually in
collaboration with other nurse researchers
Are there PhDs with whom you have worked?
Is this what they do in your institution?

12. 12Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Roles of Nurses in Research:
PhD with Postdoctoral Education
 Assume a full researcher role with a funded
program of research
 Lead and/or participate in nursing and
interdisciplinary research teams
 Function as experts in their areas of research
 Mentor PhD-prepared researchers
Have you encountered nurses with PhDs and
postdoctoral education?

13. 13Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Evidence-based Nursing Practice

14. 14Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Evidence-based Practice
 Relies on
 the nurse’s clinical expertise
 patient needs and values
 formal evidence
Which of the above is the most important?
Why?
Does the diagram show this clearly?

15. 15Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Nursing Research Purposes
 Description: what is it?
 Explanation: what does it connects, explain?
 Prediction: what occurs with it?
 Control: what change happens when it . . .?

16. 16Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Purpose: Description
 What is the incidence of UTIs in the general
patient population at my institution?
 What are the diagnoses of patients treated in
a typical hospital emergency room?
 What is the average home blood sugar value
in ambulatory diabetic patients in one
physician’s practice in New York City?
 What is the daily calorie intake for 14-year-old
males below the poverty level in the Los
Angeles public school system?

17. 17Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Purpose: Explanation
 Do the rates of UTIs in my institution differ,
depending on catheter product used?
 Why do emergency room clients state that
they use the emergency room?
 Does daily average blood sugar value in
ambulatory diabetic men differ depending on
marital status?
 What do elderly women identify as the
parenting activities they found most
challenging?

18. 18Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Purpose: Prediction
 What is the occurrence rate of UTIs in
diabetic, versus non-diabetic hospitalized
women with temporary urinary catheters?
 What are the variations in emergency room
use on different days of the week, at different
times?
 Is the incidence of death in elders suffering
hip fracture lower with prompt surgical
intervention?

19. 19Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Purpose: Control
 If the BRX antibiotic-impregnated catheter is
utilized for diabetic women post-operatively,
does the rate of UTI decrease?
 Can use of the emergency room for urgent
care illness be decreased by a 24-hour
urgent care center adjacent to the hospital?
 Does thrice-weekly aqua-exercise by elderly
females slow bone loss?

20. 20Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Potential Research Questions
 Each work area has potential research
questions, some hidden, some overt.
 These questions can address description,
explanation, prediction, or control.
In your work area, what are some of the
research questions that you believe need to
be answered?
Would these questions address description,
explanation, prediction, or control?

21. 21Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
Research Methods
 Quantitative research: counts and measures;
reports findings with statistics
 Qualitative research: observes and
interviews; reports findings as a narrative
 Outcomes research: quantitative; focused on
quality of care
 Intervention research: quantitative; tests a
product or strategy