NR 449 Week 2 The Research Process

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Chamberlain University

NR-449 Evidence-Based Practice

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NR449 Week 2 Assignment: The Research Process

The research process shares similarities with the nursing process, but they serve distinct purposes. The nursing process is applied at the individual client level, focusing on personalized care, while nursing research aims to enhance overall nursing practice. Problem statements in research articulate gaps between current knowledge and unknown aspects. Following the problem identification, a research question is developed, leading to the selection of an appropriate research design. The literature review phase is instrumental in identifying studies that can be replicated or extended.

Nursing research employs various designs, such as quantitative research, which emphasizes measurable outcomes through a structured scientific approach, and qualitative research, which focuses on subjective experiences and reality constructed by individuals. Mixed methods combine these approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding. The systematic research process progresses through sequential steps: problem determination, literature review, study design, data collection, analysis, results communication, and implementation of practice changes.

When evaluating evidence, research can be categorized into prospective studies (primary data collection), retrospective studies (use of existing data), longitudinal studies (data collection over time), and cross-sectional studies (data collection at a single point in time). For example, experimental prospective quantitative studies are suitable for testing interventions like fall prevention programs, while qualitative methods like focus groups are apt for exploring barriers in clinical compliance. Quantitative designs, particularly randomized controlled trials, are pivotal in establishing strong evidence for nursing interventions.

Table Representation

Heading	Details	Examples
Research Designs	– Quantitative: Measurable, structured data with statistical analysis. – Qualitative: Subjective, reality-driven. – Mixed Methods: Combines measurable outcomes and subjective responses.	– Quantitative: Testing fall prevention strategies. – Qualitative: Exploring nurses’ perceptions of a program.
Research Process Steps	1. Identify the problem. 2. Review literature. 3. Design the study. 4. Collect data. 5. Analyze data. 6. Share results. 7. Implement changes.	A nurse observes increased medication errors, reviews literature, and implements changes based on findings.
Evidence-Based Practices	– Prospective: Collecting new data. – Retrospective: Analyzing existing data. – Longitudinal: Following data over time. – Cross-sectional: Data collection at a specific time.	A study following patients for one year to track the effects of a program on smoking cessation.

References

Alsulami, Z., Conroy, S., & Choonara, I. (2014). Double-checking medication: A systematic review. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 99(9), 833-837.

Luwang, T., Devi, N. M., & Shantibala, K. (2021). Impact of educational interventions on nursing students’ knowledge regarding medication errors. Nurse Education Today, 97, 104689.

Parker, V., Giles, M., & Roderick, A. (2017). Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections: A bundle-based approach. American Journal of Infection Control, 45(6), 653-657.