Introduction to Nursing research

• Re-search------- Re - Again & Again. Search - Finding out some thing new.

• Research seeks answers to questions in an orderly and systematic way• It is a method of problem solving

• Research is a careful inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles, a diligent investigation to ascertain something. • It is a scientific process. It is called scientific because the results are

verifiable.• It is systematic search for answers to questions about facts &

relationship between facts .

Definition of research• Research is an organized investigation of a problem. • Research is a problem solving process, a systematic, intensive study

directed towards full, scientific knowledge of the subject studied. (French Ruth) • Research is a process which systematically searches for new facts and

relationship . (Notter)

• Research may be defined as planned, systematic search for

information for the purpose of increasing the total body of man’s

knowledge. It involves looking for information which at the time is not

available or for which that available or for which that has no generally

accepted evidence. (Arnold Lancester)

Characteristics of research• Directed towards the solution of a problem • Emphasize the development of generalizations of principles or

theories • Based upon observable experience or empirical evidence • Demands accurate observation & descriptions. • Involves gathering new data from first hand source or existing data for

a new purpose. • Carefully designed • Requires expertise contd…

• Involves quest for answers to unsolved problem. • Carefully recorded & reported. • Patience and unhurried activity • Requires courage sometime • Generalized to the population • Needs statistical evidence to prove the findings • Needs control to prove findings • Should promote quality of care and standardization of nursing care

• R – rational ways of thinking • E – expert and exhaustive treatment • S – search for solutions • E – exactness • A – analytical analysis of adequate data • R – relationships between facts and theories • C – constructive attitude/critical observation/careful recording • H – honesty and hard work in all aspects of the treatment of the data

Nursing Research

• Nursing Research is concerned with systematic study and assessment

of nursing problems or phenomena, finding ways to improve nursing

practice and patient care through creative studies, initiating and

evaluating change and taking actions to make new knowledge useful

in nursing.

• Nursing Research is a process in which the researcher scientifically collects data to be used in the clinical, administrative or instructional area in order to find solutions to nursing problems, evaluate nursing practices, procedures, policies/curriculum, assess the need of patient, staff or students and make decisions to change or continue various nursing process which in turn advances the scientific knowledge in nursing field. (Polit & Hungler)

Importance of Research in Nursing • Validation as a profession • Scientific basis for practice(research in nursing, nursing research) • Accountability • Improvement in nursing care • Identifying role of nurse in changing society • Discovering new measures for nursing practice • Helps to take prompt decisions • Improves standard of nursing care • Refining existing theories and discovering new theories

Purposes of Nursing researchIdentification: • To clearly identify phenomena about which little is known. • Name the phenomena Qualitative studies • What is the phenomena? • What is its name ? Quantitative studies • Begins with phenomenon that has been previously studied

Description: • In a descriptive study, researchers Observe, count, Describe & classify the

phenomena • eg. stress & coping, pain management, adaptation process, health beliefs,

time pattern of temperature findings etc., Quantitative description • Focuses on prevalence, size, measurable attributes of phenomena Qualitative description • Focuses on description of dimensions, variations, importance of phenomena

Exploration • Investigate full nature of phenomena about which little is known

rather just observing or describing • Investigates manner in which phenomena manifested and other

factors to which it is related • Explore the relationship between phenomena • Eg : patients preoperative stress • What factors diminish or increase patients stress? • Is it related to nursing staff? • Is it related to cultural background of the patient?

Explanation : • Offer understanding of underlying causes of phenomenon. • Explain on how or why phenomenon exists. Prediction & control: • To make predictions & control phenomenon. • Can control phenomena in absence of complete understanding • E.g: Downs Syndrome in infants increases with increased age of the

mother( can control by educating)

Role of nurse in Research• Advocate of client or respondents during study • Major/ principal Investigator • Evaluator of a research findings • Research problem identifier • Informants / respondents / subjects / participants or sample

population • Consumer of research findings • Associate or member of research team