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Learning Objectives
Describe the general steps in the research process Describe process of identifying a research problem Define research questions, directional and nondirectional hypotheses Describe the difference between Level I, II, and III studies Describe the use of research questions vs. hypotheses in a research study
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Research Defined
Research is an organized and systematic way to find answers to questions Research is a creative process
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Research Topics
Nursing research topics include studies of patient populations, or an individuals response to health problems, or potential health problems.
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Research Topics
Observations Behaviors Concepts Theories Testing of assessment and intervention strategies
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FINER
Feasible
Subjects Resources Manageable Data available?
Ethical
Social or scientific value Safe
Relevant
Advance scientific knowledge? Influence clinical practice? Impact health policy? Guide future research?
Interesting Novel
In relation to previous findings
Confirm or refute?
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Variables in research
Have 2 or more properties or qualities
Age, sex, weight, height
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Variables in research
Independent variable:
has a presumed effect on the dependent variable (outcome) May or may not be manipulated
Dependent variable:
Something that varies with a change in the independent variable Outcome variable
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Population
The population to be studied must be specified in the research question
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Testability
Research problem must imply that the problem is measurable/testable Example of a poorly phrased research question
Should postoperative patients control how much pain medication they receive?
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Characteristics to Consider
Research questions
Cannot be answered by yes/no
Should ask:
What happens when? Whats going on here? How does this happen? Why does one thing work better than another?
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Examples
What is the relationship between effectiveness of pain management strategies and quality of life? How do older adults adapt to living with early stage dementia?
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Purpose Statement
The purpose of the study encompasses the aims or goals the investigator wants to accomplish Purpose Question
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Research Questions
Research studies do not always contain hypotheses Exploratory and descriptive studies may pose research questions instead
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Action-oriented The way you ask a question determines how you will answer it
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Hypothesis
Statement about the relationship between 2 or more variables Converts the question into a statement that predicts an expected outcome A unit or subset of the research problem
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Characteristics of hypotheses
Declarative statement that identifies the predicted relationship between 2 or more variables Testability Based on sound scientific theory/rationale
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Hypotheses
Hypotheses may not always be explicitly stated Wording must include:
The variables The population being studied The predicted outcome of the hypothesis
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Non-directional hypothesis
Shows the existence of a relationship between variables but no direction is specified
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Examples
Directional hypothesis
Cardiac patients who receive support from former patients have less anxiety and higher self-efficacy than other patients
Non-directional hypothesis
There is a difference in anxiety and self-efficacy between cardiac patients who receive support from former patients and those who do not
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Levels of Questions
Level I
Little to no literature is available on the topic and the purpose is to describe what is found as it exists naturally
Level III
There is a great deal of knowledge about the topic and the purpose of the study is to test the theory through direct manipulation of the variables
Level II
There is knowledge about the topic but relationships among the variables are not well known
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Level I Questions
Lead to exploration and result in a complete description of the topic Examples:
What are the characteristics of suicidal patients? What are the spiritual needs of transplant patients?
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Level II Questions
Build on the results of Level I studies Look for relationships between the variables Examples:
What is the relationship between relaxation and pain in postoperative patients? What is the relationship among nutrition, birth weight of the newborn, and age of the mother?
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Examples
What are the body positions into which nurses place LBW intubated infants? What is the relationship between body positions and heart rate in the LBW intubated infants? Why does supine body positioning decrease heart rate in the intubated LBW infant?
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Summary Points
Preliminary steps in the research process include forming a research problem, questions and hypotheses A hypothesis attempts to answer the question posed by the research question Research questions illustrate a relationship between variables, identify independent and dependent variables, include a population, and imply that a problem is testable
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