Research in Nursing Chapter 1

Lecture Notes on Nursing Research
Prepared By: Mark Fredderick R Abejo R.N, MAN

IV. Taking Notes
Direct Quotation from a Source
 Copying words exactly as they appear in the
source.
 When you quote a source, you must use
quotation marks before and after the quotations
then identify who made the statements.
Paraphase from a Source
 Is a statement of the ideas from a source using
slightly different words.
Summary of a Source
NURSING RESEARCH
 Is a statement of the main ideas of a source
using your own words.
CHAPTER 1 Organizing your notes
V. Citing Sources
Lecturer: Mark Fredderick R. Abejo RN, MAN You may show this in three ways:
________________________________________________  Endnotes followed by a bibliography
 Footnotes followed by a bibliography
 Parenthetical Citations followed by a worked
RESEARCH PROCESS cited list.
VI. Writing Bibliography
The research process embodies a series of actions that are
systematic and organized into steps.

Purpose: To provide directions to the researcher RESEARCH PROBLEM

Research Process
- To reveal new knowledge that may contribute to the The selection of a research problem or query is
solution of a problem. probably the most important and most difficult step in the
research process
Problem Solving
- To solve an immediate problem in a particular Research Problem
setting. A research problem is an enigmatic , perplexing or
troubling condition.
Problem Solving Research Process It presents the idea that is to be examined in the study
Process and is the foundation of the research study.
 Identify the problem  Identify the problem It is an area of concern where there is a gap in the
 Gather pertinent  Review of related knowledge base needed for nursing practice.
information literature The research problem:
 Suggest solutions  Theoretical framework  Identifies the area of concern for a particular
 Consider outcomes  Questions to be population
answered and  Indicates the significance of the problem
hypothesis to be tested.  Provides a background for the problem
 Choice of solution  Research methodology  Outlines the need for additional study in a problem
 Implement solution  Data gathering statements.
 Evaluate results of  Analysis and
implementation interpretation of data Formulate the Problem
 Modify, revise, change  Summary, conclusions  Natural curiosity or burning interest in a particular area
and recommendations may lead to formulation of a problem. A researcher’s
intellectual curiosity enables him/her to conduct a study
Steps in Doing Research Study in the most creative and productive ways.
 A perceived difficulty and feeling of discomfort
I. Choosing Topic  A discrepancy or a gap between “what is” and “what
The most important key in choosing the topic is to should be”
identify the general topic and define it carefully.  The daily experience of human beings
List several questions you would like to ask about
the topic Sources of Problems
II. Assemble Data on the Topic 1. Fields of Specializations
III. Evaluating Information 2. Instructional Programs
Test the information for: 3. Organizational structures, policies and interpersonal
 Relevance relations.
 Reliability 4. New technologies
 Accuracy 5. Conflicting ideas and ideals
 Objectivity 6. Journals, books, thesis or dissertations
Research Process Abejo


7. Mass media  Researchability of the Problem
8. Theories and Principles affecting certain phenomena  Feasibility of the Study
9. Problem Areas in Nursing  Time and Timing
10. Problem situations and issues  Money commitment
11. Suggestions of Experts and authorities  Researcher experience
 Researcher interest
Characteristics of a Good Problem  Availability of the study participants
 The research question is feasible.  Availability of facilities and equipment
 The research question is important.  Cooperation of others
 The concept to be studied must be related to  Ethical consideration
observable events.
 The findings of a good researchable problem may be Criteria for Choosing a Problem for Scientific Inquiry
generalized in other areas. External Criteria
 The purpose of the study is clearly defined. a. Novelty
 The researcher must be interested and qualified to do b. Availability of subjects
the study. c. Institutional or admistrative support
d. Ethical Considerations
e. Facilities and Equipment
Characteristics of Researchable
Problems
Internal Criteria
 Originality
a. Motivations, interest, intellectual curiosity and
 Significance
perceptiveness of the researcher
 Manageability
b. Experience, training and professional qualifications
 Measurability
c. Time management
 Resource Availability
d. Costs and returns
e. Hazards, penalties and handicaps
Developing and Refining Research Problems

 Selecting Topic
Nursing situations often provide a variety of BASIC COMPONENTS OF A
research topics or concepts that identify broad RESEARCH REPORT
problem areas investigations.
Ideas should be noted and sorted in terms of interest,
knowledge about topics,
It will be useful to discuss preliminary ideas with A. TITLE OF THE STUDY
colleagues and advisers, look at research literature, The title embodies substantive words or phrase which
observe what is happening in clinical settings and gives the idea of what the research study is all about.
engage in reflection to be able to select researchable Research titles must be clearly stated, concise and
and feasible topics for study. consists of not more than 15 words.
After selecting the most fruitful ideas, the list made
should not be discarded. “Self Concept and Professional Attributes of Staff
Nurses in Relation to Patients’ Satisfaction Index”
 Narrowing the Topic
After the identification of a topic of interest, broad “Work Values of Nurses and their Clinical
question can be generated which will lead to a Performance in Selected Government Hospitals in
researchable problem. Metro Davao”
Questions that may help to focus an inquiry are the
following:
 What is going on with…..? B. INTRODUCTION
 What is the process by which……? This section presents a brief discussion of the
 What is the meaning of…….? rationale and background of the problem or subject
 What is the extent of……? of inquiry.
 What influences or causes……? The introduction serves as a springboard for the
 What is the relationship between……? statement of the problem.
 What factors contribute to……..? It should stimulate the interest of the reader and set
the stage for the presentation of the study.
Evaluating Research Problems The Introduction part includes the following:
 The context of the problem and its historical
 Significance of the Problem background.
 Influences nursing practice  Authoritative viewpoints on the problem
 Builds on previous research  The researcher’s interest in working on the
 Promotes theory testing or development problem
 Addresses nursing research priorities  The purpose of the study in relation to the
problem.



C. THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL
Research Topic FRAMEWORKS

ATTITUDE OF WEST NEGROS UNIVERSITY Theory
LEVEL 3 STUDENT NURSES Comes from the Greek word “ theoria” which means a
TOWARDS SMOKING beholding spectacle or speculation.
Is a set of interrelated constructs, definitions and
CHAPTER I prepositions that present a systematic view of phenomena
by specifying relations among variables with the purpose
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGOUND of explaining and predicting the phenomena.

Introduction Characteristics of Theory

Smoking is a habit but curable. 1. It consist of a set of CONCEPTS.
Considered as curable but few people try to control
themselves from doing it. People, students and even
professionals are often tempted to smoke. For some, Concepts
smoking relieves tension; superiority among others, - are abstractions that categorize observations based
curiosity, satisfaction, and a form of self deception on commonalities and differences. They are building
but the adverse consequences of smoking is one’s blocks of theories.
own health. - Kinds of Concepts:
 Enumerative
Smoking exist everywhere even in school  Associative
campuses that conclude to be huge problem.  Relational
According to Toni Christopherson, a problem that  Statistical
everyone tries to eradicate but fails to act on it  Summative
because they themselves cannot practice what they
preach . It is obvious that smoking is one of the Construct
major problems of every college student. Many - Is a group of concepts that are directly or indirectly
college students are fond of smoking, it driven observable.
oneself to heavenly feeling. But it is not an excuse to - They are derived from combination of academic and
be free from any complication someday. clinical knowledge and add meaning and scope to a
theory.
Many people tried self discipline to
control the temptation of smoking. Others would try Fact
re- lifestyle and refocus their attention just to stop - It is the most basic term in research that is
themselves from doing it. But worse, others don’t irreducible because it is an established and verifiable
know what to do and they simply give in. Others on truth.
the other hand, would smoke not because they don’t
know what to do but simply because they won’t get Conceptual Framework
belong to the “in group’. - Represents a less formal attempt at organizing
phenomena.
As mentioned earlier, smoking is curable; - It serves as springboard formulation of research
one always has the power to control one’s self. hypothesis and as preliminary step in the
Because of smoking, few qualified people get to be construction of more formal theories.
successful. It's because of smoking is one of the
reason that word's mortality rate. Smoking could Theoretical Framework
never be eradicated unless we try to start the battle - Is derived from one or more theories or paradigms
against it and heart attack in those with heart through the process of induction and deduction.
disease.

Studies have indicated that some student
does smoking during their vacant time than studying 2. Theory also consists of PROPOSITIONS, each of which
their lessons. Smoking in college especially in indicates relationships between concepts derived from
nursing students is becoming popular substitute for empirical data.
learning. There are some factors of smoking which
has the social approval from parents, faculty and
friends. Some studies shows that student with low Proposition
self – esteem is actually more likely to smoke than - are statements that describe the relationship of two
student with high self – esteem because of the or more concepts.
negative evaluation that they might receive from the
people around them.



3. A theory is represented by CONCEPTUAL
PARADIGM and THORETICAL MODEL Differences Between Conceptual and Theoretical Model

Conceptual Paradigm
- Are concepts that provide a structure or pattern for Conceptual Model or Theoretical Model or
organizing phenomena of interest in the practice of Paradigm Framework
research.
- A conceptual paradigm may be constructed in the It is a pre-theoretical basis It proposes a framework
following manner from which substantive derived from theories
 These are presented in solid lines, indicating theories may be derived
direct relationship and dotted lines indicating
indirect relationship. It is highly abstract It is less abstract
 These are also presented with basic shapes and
arrows that indicates flow of direction, Concept are related and Concepts are narrowly
interaction, interdependence and multidimensional bounded, specific and
interrelationship. explicitly interrelated.
 This should be properly labeled and must be
accompanied by a textual explanation. It provides a perspective for It postulates relationship.
 Keep the paradigm short an simple in order not science It is descriptive, explanatory
to confuse the reader. or predictive.

( Refer Appendix A for the example of Paradigm ) It is derived from systematic It is constructed from
observation and intuition. available theories and
findings of empirical
Model research.
- Represents some aspects of reality, concrete or
abstract, by means of likeness that may be structural, It is developed through the It is develop through the
pictorial, diagrammatic or mathematical. process of intuition process of induction and
- Types of Models: deduction.
 Conceptual Model It must be evaluated through It permits empirical tests.
These are ideas formulated in the mind; logical grounds and cannot be
picture of something that actually exists empirically tested.
which consists of patterns, standards or
examples.

 Theoretical Model Purposes of Theories
These represent the real world expressed
in language or mathematical symbols,  To summarize existing knowledge critical to the
Refers to a group of interrelated theories development and advancement of scientific knowledge.
that provides rationale fro the hypotheses,  To explain or interpret observation as well as predict and
policies and curricula of a science. control outcomes.
 To stimulate the effort of making new discoveries.

4. Theories are purposely created and formulated, not Criteria for Judging a Theory
discovered.
 Internal Criticism
5. Theories are, however, only tentative and subject to  Clarity
change.  Consistency
 Logical Development
6. Theory development occurs if new evidences or  The Level of Theory Development
observations undermine a previously accepted theory.
 External Criticism
 Adequacy
A theory, conceptual model or theoretical  Utility
framework identifies parameters for the study,  Significance
guides data collection and provides a perspective  Discrimination
in the interpretation of data to enable the  Scope
researcher to structure facts into an orderly  Complexity and Parsimony
system.



D. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Errors to be avoided by the researcher in stating research
A problem statement is an expression of the problem:
dilemma or disturbing situation that needs × Problems that elicit broad, general findings instead
investigation for the purposes of providing of specific information needed for their solution.
understanding and direction. × Shallow and unimportant inquiries.
The problem must be clearly stated. × Rhetorically stated problem which tend to elicit
It must be expressed in precise terms as the subject emotional reactions that diminishes the scientific
of inquiry. intent of the inquiry.
It indicated the population and the major variables of × Question that are not testable and cannot be
the study which need to be subjected to empirical answered through scientific investigation.
testing.
Problem statements, particularly for quantitative CONCEPT MAPPING
studies, often have most of the following six
components: An educational technique that uses diagrams to
a. Problem identification demonstrate the relationship of one concept or
b. Background situation.
c. Scope of the problem A structure process, focused on a topic or construct
d. Consequences of the problem of interest, involving input from one or more
e. Knowledge gaps participants, that produces an interpretable pictorial
f. Proposed solutions view of their ideas and concepts and how these are
interrelated.
Ways of Stating the Problem
Steps of Concept Mapping
1. Problem stated in question form:
a. Single question  Preparation
Are the hours of nursing care available in  Generation
general hospitals related to patient satisfaction?  Structuring
Does smoking cause lung cancer among adult  Representation
males?  Interpretation
 Utilization
b. Single question followed by a series of questions
What are the common methods of
contraception practiced by fifty selected RESEARCH QUESTION
mothers in Barangay Pembo? A research question is an explicit query about a
What problems do these mothers face, if any, problem or issue that can be challenged, examined
in the particular method of their choice? and analyzed and will yield useful new information.
A research question should provide answers that
2. Problem stated in a declarative sentence: explain describe, identify, substantiate, predict or
a. Single declarative sentence qualify (Brink, 1994 )
To determine whether people who watch The two basic components of a question are:
television read fewer books. Stem, direct the research process
To identify common problem among nurses in Topic, is the actual focus of the study
Operating Room.

Tips for beginning researchers
b. A series of declarative sentence  Start with a simple question
The study attempts to determine:  Your first task is to try to write your question
The general food pattern and food intake of as simply as possible
families whose mothers had nutrition education  The research question is ACTION –
background. ORIENTED
The food groups in which their meals were  Ask active question
deficient;
How adequate these nutritional needs are met;
Brink cited some examples. Notice the difference.
3. A declarative sentence followed by a series of questions  Mastectomy has an effect on women
To determine the proper sequence of learning
Question : What are the reactions of women to
experiences in operating room nursing geared to the needs of
mastectomy?
students and patient in surgery:
What were the needs of the students and patients  Ice water increases heart rate
in surgery? Question: What is the relationship between
What sequence of learning experience was temperature of ingested drinking water and heart
provided for students particularly in the operating rate?
room?


 Black women have smaller babies than white RESEARCH VARIABLES
women.
Question: What is the relationship between ethnicity Variables
and birth size of infants? Are qualities, properties or characteristics of people ,
things, events or situations under study that vary
from one person to another.
Steps in examining the components of a research question: These variables are assessed and measured
quantitatively and qualitatively.
 The topic can be simple, embodying a single
concept or idea.
Quantitatively – statistical measurement of different
 As the topic becomes more complex, they deal with
variables which uses numbers.
two or more concepts in relationship to one another
Qualitatively – descriptive interpretation base on
and they require a different stem.
narrative explanation, do not use statistical treatment
 The topic is even more complex when you ask a
to present data.
question beginning with a WHY stem.
 A topic developed for a “why” stem becomes quite
complex because it shows that a cause and effect
relationship has been established between the two Characteristics of Variables
concepts. 1. They have two or more mutually exclusive values or
properties that can be quantitatively or qualitatively
measured.
Example: height, weight, age, civil status and likes
Research Topic

The Effects of Touch Therapy on Recovery among 2. They are varying factors that affect the phenomenon
Premature Infants Confined in the Incubators Example: preoperative anxiety, body temperature
Of Selected Hospital in Metro Manila
3. They are varying qualities of people, institutions,
Statement of the Problem situations or status.
Example: ethnicity, government agency, level of
This study will look into the effects of touch care
therapy of premature infants to promote early
weaning from confinement in the incubator and 4. They can be heterogeneous when the attributes or
enhanced recovery. characteristics of a group being studied are
extremely varied
Specifically, this study attempts to answer the
following question: 5. They can be homogeneous if the attributes or
characteristics of the group being studied have
1. How do premature infants responds to gentle limited variability.
touch and gentle stroking for several seconds or
few minutes of therapy in terms of: Kinds of Variables
1.1 Breathing
1.2 Movement a. Explanatory Variable
1.3 Heart Rate This refers to the phenomenon under study that
varies or assumes different values.
2. To what extent is touch therapy on a premature This is the focus of the research that indicates
infant observation / perceptible with regard to direction of influence to what the researcher would
the following variables: like to discover and not merely establishing a direct
2.1 Activities causal link between the persons, objects or things
2.2 Reducing Stress being studied.
2.3 Promotion of wellbeing
Types of Explanatory Variable
3. Is there a significant effect of touch therapy
between the experimental group and control 1. Independent Variables (CAUSE)
group as to:  These are factors that are being manipulated by
3.1 Activities the researcher and the focus of the inquiry.
3.2 Reducing Stress  They are also called experimental, treatment,
3.3 Promotion of wellbeing causal or stimulus variable.

2. Dependent Variable (EFFECT)
 This is the factor or variable that is affected or
influenced by the independent variable.
 It is also called criterion, effect, response or
outcome variable, which captures the interest of
the researcher.


3. Intervening Variable (MEDIATOR) Statements of Purpose
 This is a factor or variable that exists between
the independent and the dependent variable.  Quantitative Study
 That explains why the relationship exists and In a quantitative study, a statement of purpose
bears influence on the effect of the independent identifies the key study variables and their possible
variable on the dependent variable. interrelationship as well as the nature of the
population of interest.
4. Moderator Variable
 This is a variable that affects the strength or  Qualitative Study
direction of the relationship between the The statement of purpose in qualitative studies
independent and the dependent variables. indicates the nature of the inquiry, the key concept
 The independent variables interacts with the or phenomenon, the group, community or setting
moderator variable which makes the under study.
relationship of the IV and DV stronger or
weaker.

Examples Writing the statement of purpose:
 The purpose is usually expressed as a declarative
IV Independent Variables statements.
DV Dependent Variable  The investigator combines “what” is being done and
“why” it is being done.
 The purpose must be clear, precise, concrete and
Self-Concept, Personal and Professional Characteristics easy to communicate.
of Staff Nurses (IV) in Relation to Patient’s Satisfaction  The statements of the purpose usually contains an
Index (DV) active verb preceded by the preposition “to”. Thus it
is common that purpose begin with “to assess”, “to
Thermoregulation of Infants (DV ) utilizing Mineral provide”, “to gain” etc.
Water Container and Droplight (IV)

Research Objectives

b. Extraneous or Exogenous Variables Are clear, concise, declarative statements that are
These variables are not also the direct interest of the expressed in the present tense.
researcher, and must be controlled or eliminated in Objectives can also focus on:
order the hypothesis can be validly tested. - Identifying relationship or association
- Determining differences
c. Abstract or Continuous Variables - Predicting variables
These are factors that have different values which Formulating Research Objectives
are quantitatively and statistically tested through the a. Identification
hypothesis. b. Description
c. Difference
d. Dichotomous Variables d. Relational
These are factors with only two values used in e. Prediction
comparative studies and specifically indentified in
the hypothesis.
Good Research Objectives
e. Active Variables Characteristics
These are factors which the researcher creates and or
manipulates. S Specific
M Measurable
f. Attribute Variables A Attainable
These are pre-existing characteristics of the subjects R Realistic and Result Oriented
which the researcher simply observes and measures. T Time Bound

E. RESEARCH PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

In the nursing profession the purpose may deal with
contribution to nursing education or nursing administration.
Objectives relate to realistic short term goals.



Purposes of Hypothesis

 Hypotheses unify theory and reality by evaluating theory
The purpose of this study is to identify on the basis of observation facts or reality.
factors that maximize opportunities for mothers of  Hypotheses gives direction to research by determining
hospitalized children to participate in their care. research design, data collection procedures, analysis and
interpretation of data.
“This study will determine which parental  Hypotheses enhance knowledge by inducing critical
style and attitude are most significant to the thinking and deepening insights.
emotional intelligence development of the child. It
will also investigate other factors that may Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis
contribute to effective parenting. Hence, this study
will ascertain if parents are really worthy to be real  It is testable
parents in rearing their children to become  It is logical
responsible and proficient adults”  It is directly related to the research problem
 It is represents a single unit or subset of the problem
 It is factually or theoretically based
 It sets limits of the study
 It is stated in such a from that it can be accepted or
F. ASSUMPTIONS rejected

Is a statement describing a fact or condition that is Sources of Hypotheses
accepted to be true on the basis of logic and reason.
These are statements or assertions related to the  Problems, issues or concerns raised in the research
problem usually drawn from the theoretical study.
framework.  Theoretical framework, experiences, observations,
replications and related literature.
Types of Assumptions  Induction and deduction

1. Universal Assumptions
 These come from the knowledge of the researcher Induction – these are observation patterns, trends of
and from observed facts related to the problem phenomena with a tentative explanation or
which are presumed as true on the basis of prediction of a phenomena.
observation, experiences and findings of previous Deduction – begins with general theories or
research. principles applied to a particular situation.

2. Study Assumptions
 These are assertions needed in the pursuit of the
study which are so stated that they serve as starting Types of Hypotheses
points from which the study proceeds.
 They also confirm the validity of the explanatory Simple Hypotheses – predicts the relationship between one
variables as well as serve as basis for formulating independent variable and one dependent variable.
the hypotheses of the study.
Example: Performance in the College of Nursing is related to
3. Theory or Research Based Assumptions success in the nurse’s licensure exam.
 These are assumptions premised on theories
applicable to the field of study.
 It may come from a previous researchers and need Complex Hypotheses – predicts the relationship between two
further confirmation or validation. or more independent variables and two or more dependent
variables.

Example: Heredity, home environment and quality of
G. RESEARCH HYPOTHESES instruction are related to intelligence, motivation and
performance of school.
Hypothesis
Is an intelligent guess or inference that is formulated
and provisionally adopted to explain observed facts Directional/Predictive Hypotheses – specifies the direction
or conditions and to guide further investigation. of relationship between the variables being studied.
A statement of relationships between the
phenomenon and the variables being studied. Example: People who smoke are more prone to lung cancer
The hypothesis is not proved, it is only tested. than those who do not smoke.

Non Directional Hypotheses – predicts only that there is a
relationship between the variables being studied but does not
specify what it is.


Example: There is a difference in the level of anxiety of pre-
operative patients who receive pre-operative instruction than Research Topic
those who do not receive such instruction.
EFFECTS OF BILATERAL TUBAL LIGATION
Statistical / Null Hypotheses – is an assumption that there is AMONG WORKING MOTHERS AT
no difference between the studied variables. QUIRINO MEMORIAL MEDICAL
CENTER: A BASIS FOR
Example: There will be no correlation between liberalization COUNSELLING
attitudes and completion of a course in human sexuality. PROGRAM

Research Hypotheses – this is also referred to as substantive
or declarative hypotheses or statement of expected relationship Significance of the Study
between variables.
Respondents
Example: There is a significant relationship between maternal This study can reveal the possible effects
heroin addiction and birth weight of infants. of bilateral tubal ligation among women, giving
them the proper knowledge and information about
this effect help them to manage and able to accept
this changes that they are experiencing.
H. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Prospective Clients
The researcher cites the importance, responsiveness Identifying this effects that women
or relevance of expected outcomes of the experiencing after undergoing bilateral tubal ligation
investigation and its probable effects on a nursing can be used in providing all the prospective client
theory or practice. the correct and appropriate information for them to
This section must also emphasize the significant have the right decision whether they will still
contributions of the proposed research study to its undergo this procedure or not.
target population, to the different sectors in nursing
education and nursing, to society and its Nursing Practitioners
implications to future researches in nursing. The findings of this study will provide
insight on the client’s reason for not wanting to
undergo tubal ligation. This will enable the nurse to
Research Benefits to various sectors: formulate a plan of intervention for the patient’s
better understanding of the procedure and its effects.
 Improvement of policies, program and practices Her knowledge and awareness could serve as basis
 Contribution to particular field of study or for developing strategies to encourage voluntary
profession. female sterilization.
 Guide in decision making
 Added knowledge and expertise for individual
practitioners.
 New theory learned
 Personal and social development
I. SCOPE, LIMITATION AND DELIMITATIONS
Beneficiaries of Research studies:
Scope – deals with the extent to which the study will be made.
 The nursing profession Limitation – are perceived weakness that are discussed and
 The public reported.
 The nursing service Delimitations – are restrictions that the researcher places prior
 Nursing education to data gathering.
 Nurse practitioners
 Nursing students The researcher must be aware of and should state
 Hospital administrators certain constraints in the study over which the
researcher has no control.
Uncontrolled variables may affect study results,
hence, expected findings should not beyond what the
study can achieve in terms of the following aspects:
 Issues – past & current
 Scope or coverage of areas of concern
 Respondents
 Time frame
 Type of data such as qualitative, quantitative or
combined.



Connotative Definition
Example:
Scope , Limitation and Delimitation of the Study Father – strong, provider, head of the family
Nurse – warm , gentle mannered, health
It limits only for the 50 Level III nursing students provider
and 5 clinical instructors as the respondents used as a
purposive sampling techniques.

The study deals with the Related Learning
Experience of Level III BS Nursing Students at GCIC in Definition of Terms
terms the College of Nursing philosophy, objectives,
policies and regulation. It also determines the problems Motivation – The ability of the nurse on duty
encounter by the students and their clinical instructors in to accomplished her task on time
the RLE, thus identifying the strength and weaknesses
as well as the quality of education. Problem – Inability of the patient to meet his
daily dietary requirements.
The study is limited to the status and problems
encountered by the nursing students as to their Related
Learning Experience Program. It’s does not include the
financial issues and other problems of the institution.

J. DEFINITION OF TERMS

This section facilitates understanding of the
study by defining the terms or variables
according to their contextual use.

Reasons for Defining the Variables:

a. To guide and direct the researcher in quantifying and
qualifying the variables.
b. To ensure clarity of the meaning of variables and
minimize the reader’s misconceptions.

Types of Definitions

1. Conceptual Definition

 It is universal definition of a term understood by
people.
 A general statement of properties or qualities
common to a number of examples. _________________________________________
 This is also known as subjective or theoretical
meaning of the word. References:

1. Venzon. 2004. Introduction to Nursing Research: Quest for Quality
2. Operational Definition Nursing, 1st ed. Philippines: C&E Publishing Inc.
2. Barrientos-Tan. 2006. A Research Guide in Nursing Education, 3rd
 The researcher’s own definition of terms as used in ed. Philippines: Visual Print Enterprises.
3. Reyes & Layug. 2009. Comprehensive Reviewer for the Nurse
the study. Licensure Exam, Philippines: East West Educational Specialists,
 It is concrete and measurable, based on observable C&E Publishing Inc.
characteristics of what is being defined within the 4. Brink & Wood. 2001. Basic Steps in Planning Nursing Research,
5th ed. Philippines: Jones and Bartlett Publisher Inc.
context of the phenomenon being investigated. 5. Burns & Grove. 2007. Understanding Nursing Research : Building
 This is also refers to the objective or an Evidence-Based Practice, 4th ed. China; Elsevier, Health
practical/functional meaning of the word. Sciences.
 Types of Operational Definitions: 6. LoBiondo-Wood & Haber. 2006. Nursing Research: Methods and
Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice, 6th ed. USA: Mosby
Denotative Definition Inc.
Example: 7. Polit & Beck. 2008. Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing
Father – a male parent Evidence for Nursing Practice, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins.
Nurse – one who cares for people sick or well


Research in Nursing Chapter 1

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Research in Nursing Chapter 1