THE RESEARCH PROCESS

PHASES OF NURSING RESEARCH

1. CONCEPTUAL PHASE

2. THE DESIGN AND PLANNING PHASE

3. THE EMPIRICAL PHASE

4. THE ANALYTIC PHASE

5. THE DISSEMINATION PHASE

CONCEPTUAL PHASE1. FORMULATING AND DELIMITING THE

PROBLEMo Topico Research Problemo Problem statement – articulates the problem to be

addressed and indicates the need for a studyo Research Questions – are the specific queries

researchers want to answer in addressing the research problem

o Research Hypothesis – predictions that are tested empirically

o Null hypothesiso Research or alternative hypothesis

Term Example

Topic Side effects of Chemotherapy

Research Problem

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects among patients on chemo; interventions have been moderately successful. New interventions that can reduce or prevent these side effects need to be identified

Statement of purpose

Purpose is to test an intervention to reduce chemotherapy-induced side effects – specifically to compare the effectiveness of patient-controlled and nurse-administered antiemetic therapy

Research question

What is the relative effectiveness of patient-controlled antiemetic therapy versus nurse-controlled antiemetic therapy with regard to (a) medication consumption, and (b) control of nausea and vomiting in patients on chemotherapy?

Hypothesis

There is no difference on the effectiveness between patient-controlled and nurse-controlled antiemetic therapy with regard to medication consumption and control of nausea and vomiting of patients on chemotherapy.

CONCEPTUAL PHASE1. FORMULATING AND DELIMITING THE

PROBLEMo Evaluating research problems

o Significance of the problem – research problem should have the potential of contributing meaningfully to the nursing knowledge

o Researchability of the Problemo Time and timing o Availability of study participantso Facilities and equipmentso Moneyo Experience and interest of the researcher

CONCEPTUAL PHASE

2. REVIEWING THE LITERATURE Done to familiarize researchers with the

knowledge base PURPOSES:

Orient of what is known and not known regarding the topic

Replication of study Identifications of relevant theoretical and

conceptual framework Assistance in interpreting study findings and

developing implications and recommendations

SOURCES OF LITERATURE

• PRIMARY SOURCES– Research reports/studies

• SECONDARY SOURCES– Books – Literature review

summaries

THE DESIGN AND PLANNING PHASE

1. Selecting a research design2. Identifying the population

to be studied3. Sampling plan4. Methods to measure

research variables5. Finalizing the research

study

RESEARCH DESIGN

Based on:– Time Frame– Control over

independent variable– Measurement of

independent and dependent variables

TIME FRAMEDESIGN FEATURES EXAMPLE

CROSS-SECTIONAL Data are collected at one point in time

Practical, easy to do, economical

Mindell and Jacobson (2000) assessed sleep patterns and the prevalence of sleep disorders during pregnancy. They compared women who were at 4 points in pregnancy: 8-12wks, 18-22wks, 25-28wks, 35-38wks. They concluded that sleep disturbance is common in late pregnancy.

TIME FRAME

DESIGN FEATURES

LONGITUDINAL Data are collected at two or more points in time over an extended period

TREND STUDIES Investigations in which samples from a population are studied over time

Different samples are selected but drawn from the same population

Based on surveys

CONTROL OVER INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

DESIGN FEATURES

EXPERIMENTAL Manipulation of independent variable

Control group randomization

QUASI -EXPERIMENTAL Manipulation of independent variable

No control group No randomization

NONEXPERIMENTAL No manipulation of independent variable

Is there an intervention?

No Yes

NONEXPERIMENTAL Is there randomization?

No Yes

QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL EXPERIMENTAL

MEASUREMENT OF INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT VARIABLES

DESIGN FEATURES EXAMPLE

RETROSPECTIVE Study begins with dependent variable and looks backward for cause

Heitkemper, et. al. (2001), used a Retrospective design in their study of factors contributing to the onset of irritable bowel syndrome. They compared samples of women with and without IBS in terms of their history of sexual and physical abuse and found that abusive experiences were more prevalent among women with IBS.

MEASUREMENT OF INDEPENDENT AND

DEPENDENT VARIABLESDESIGN FEATURE EXAMPLE

PROSPECTIVE Study begins with independent variable and looks forward for the effect

Brook, et. al. (2000) conducted a prospective study to examine clinical and cost outcomes of early versus late tracheostomy in patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation. Early tracheostomy was found to be associated with shorter lengths of hospital stay and lower cost.

IDENTIFYING THE POPULATION TO BE STUDIED

• POPULATION – aggregate or totality of those conforming to a set of specifications.– Nurses– Students– Children– Etc.

DESIGNING THE SAMPLING PLAN

• SAMPLE – subset of a population– Sampling techniques:

• Probability sampling– Systematic sampling– Fish bowl method

• Nonprobability sampling– Purposive/Judgmental sampling– Snow ball technique– Convenience/accidental sampling

METHODS TO MEASURE RESEARCH VARIABLES

• Different methods of data collection– Biophysiologic measurements– Self-reports– Observation– Use of a research instrument

• Questionnaires• Survey forms

FINALIZING THE RESEARCH PLAN

• Pretesting of questionnaires

• Conducting a Pilot study

EMPIRICAL PHASE

• DATA COLLECTION

• DATA ENCODING

THE ANALYTIC PHASE

• DATA ANALYSIS– Statistical analysis

• DATA INTERPRETATION – is the process of making sense of the results and examining their implications

• CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

DISSEMINATION PHASE

• RESEARCH REPORT– Research Abstract– Research published in journals– Term papers, theses, dissertations

• UTILIZATION OF FINDINGS– Application to nursing practice and nursing

education