UNIT 1. Introduction to Nursing Research
-
Discovering the World of Nursing
- Definition of nursing research
- Framework linking nursing research to the world of nursing
- Focus of research evidence in nursing
- Your role in research
- Key points
- References
-
Evolution of Research in Building Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
- Historical development of research in nursing
- Current national research initiatives
- Methodologies for developing research evidence in nursing
- Classification of research methodologies
- Introduction to best research evidence for practice
- Introduction to evidence-based practice guidelines
- Key points
- References
-
Introduction to Quantitative Research
- Methods for quantitative research
- Defining terms relevant to quantitative research
- Steps of the quantitative research process
- Steps of the quantitative research process for a quasi-experimental study
- Key points
- References
-
Introduction to Qualitative Research
- Philosophical perspectives for qualitative research
- Unique characteristics of qualitative research
- Methodologies for qualitative research
- Other approaches to qualitative research
- Key points
- References
UNIT 2. The Research Process
-
Research Problem and Purpose
- The research problem
- The research purpose
- Sources of research problems and purposes
- Formulating a research problem and purpose
- Example of problem and purpose development
- Feasibility of a study
- Key points
- References
-
Objectives, Questions, Hypotheses, and Study Variables
- Use of research objectives or aims in studies
- Formulating research questions
- Hypotheses
- Identifying and defining study variables or concepts
- Defining concepts and operationalizing variables in quantitative studies
- Key points
- References
-
Review of Relevant Literature
- Getting started: Frequently asked questions
- Practical considerations for performing a literature review
- Stages of a literature review
- Key points
- References
-
Frameworks
- Introduction of terms
- Understanding concepts
- Examining statements
- Levels of abstraction of statements
- Appraising theories and research frameworks
- Developing a research framework for study
- Key points
- References
-
Ethics in Research
- Historical events affecting the development of ethical codes and regulations
- Early US government research regulations
- Standards for privacy for research data
- Protection of human rights
- Human subject protection in genomics research
- Informed consent
- Institutional review
- Research misconduct
- Animals as research subjects
- Key points
- References
-
Quantitative Methodology: Noninterventional Designs and Methods
- Concepts important to noninterventional research design
- Design validity
- Decisions to develop and implement noninterventional studies
- Noninterventional designs that capture change across time
- Descriptive designs
- Correlational designs
- Key points
- References
-
Quantitative Methodology: Interventional Designs and Methods
- Research terms
- Study interventions
- Threats to validity in interventional studies
- Interventional designs
- Algorithms for identifying and selecting interventional designs
- Other designs
- Key points
- References
-
Qualitative Research Methods
- Principles supporting qualitative methods
- Research process in qualitative studies
- Qualitative sampling
- Data collection methods
- Data management
- Organizing and storing data
- Data analysis
- Reporting qualitative studies
- Methods for specific methodologies
- Key points
- References
-
Outcomes Research
- Current status of outcomes research
- The origins of modern outcomes research
- Structure, process, and outcome in current research
- Federal government involvement in outcomes research
- Nongovernmental involvement in outcomes research
- Outcomes research and evidence-based practice
- Nursing-sensitive patient outcomes
- Methodological considerations for outcomes studies
- Key points
- References
-
Mixed Methods Research
- Philosophical foundations
- Overview of mixed methods designs
- Challenges of mixed methods designs
- Critically appraising mixed methods designs
- Key points
- References
-
Sampling
- Sampling theory
- Probability (random) sampling methods
- Nonprobability (nonrandom) sampling methods commonly applied in quantitative and outcomes research
- Nonprobability sampling methods commonly applied in qualitative and mixed methods research
- Sample size in quantitative research
- Sample size in qualitative research
- Research settings
- Recruiting and retaining research participants
- Key points
- References
-
Quantitative Measurement Concepts
- Directness of measurement
- Measurement error
- Levels of measurement
- Reference testing measurement
- Reliability
- Validity
- Accuracy, precision, and error of physiological measures
- Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios
- Key points
- References
-
Measurement Methods Used in Developing Evidence-Based Practice
- Physiological measurement
- Observational measurement
- Interviews in research
- Questionnaires
- Scales
- Q-sort methodology
- Delphi technique
- Diaries
- Measurement using existing databases
- Selection of an existing instrument
- Introduction to scale construction
- Translating a scale to another language
- Key points
- References
UNIT 3. Putting It All Together for Evidence-Based Health Care
-
Critical Appraisal of Nursing Studies
- Evolution of critical appraisal of research in nursing
- When are critical appraisals of research implemented in nursing?
- Nurses’ expertise in critical appraisal of research
- Critical appraisal process for quantitative research
- Critical appraisal process for qualitative studies
- Key points
- References
-
Evidence Synthesis and Strategies for Implementing Evidence-Based Practice
- Strengths, challenges, and current status of evidence-based practice in nursing
- Guidelines for synthesizing research evidence
- Models to promote evidence-based practice in nursing
- Implementing evidence-based guidelines in practice
- Evidence-based practice centers
- Introduction to translational research and translational science
- Key points
- References
UNIT 4. Collecting and Analyzing Data, Determining Outcomes, and Disseminating Research
- Collecting and Managing Data
- Study protocol
- Factors influencing data collection
- Preparation for data collection
