Week 1: Introduction to Research Methods

What comes to mind when you think of research? What about research in the field of nursing? How is research generated, and how is it applied? What does research mean to the doctoral nursing student?

Nursing research addresses questions concerning the profession, as well as seeks to improve patient care and practice. “Nursing research is defined as a scientific process that validates and refines existing knowledge and generates new knowledge that directly and indirectly influences the delivery of evidence-based nursing” (Gray & Grove, 2020). This course will give you the opportunity to explore the various methods and ideologies of nursing research.

This week, you will examine research methods and explore the importance of such research for nursing practice. You will also review evidence-based practice (EBP) and analyze your personal experience and familiarity with EBP in your organization.

Reference: Gray, J. R., & Grove, S. K. (2020). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (9th ed.). Elsevier

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Analyze previous experiences in nursing practice and nursing research
  • Analyze organizational support for evidence-based practice

Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

https://academics.waldenu.edu/catalog/courses/nurs-1/8201

Discussion: Introduction and Experience With Research

  • Have you ever considered the importance of research in nursing? How might research shape the delivery of healthcare?
    In this course, you will consider the importance of research in nursing and analyze your previous experience and familiarity with research. Research in nursing began with Florence Nightingale in 1850 and has continued to transform in complexity and scope every year since (Gray & Grove, 2020).
  • Photo Credit: [DrAfter123]/[Digital Vision Vectors]/Getty Images

Not surprisingly, the field and practice of nursing is greatly influenced by the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) or rather, nursing practices and guidelines that are strongly supported by research and data outcomes.

For this Discussion, take a moment to introduce yourself to you peers and describe your current or previous role in nursing practice. Reflect on your experience with EBP and consider whether your current organization supports EBP.

Reference: Gray, J. R., & Grove, S. K. (2020). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (9th ed.). Elsevier.

To Prepare:

  • Review the Learning Resources for this week.
  • Reflect on your experience with nursing practice and research, particularly EBP. For example, consider how your current organization may support EBP. How might this connect with what you read in the textbook chapters?

 

Research in nursing plays a crucial role in advancing the profession and improving patient outcomes. By systematically investigating questions and issues relevant to nursing practice, researchers can identify best practices, develop new interventions, and enhance the quality of care provided to patients.

 

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a cornerstone of modern nursing, emphasizing the integration of the best available evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences. EBP ensures that nursing interventions and decisions are informed by the most current and reliable research findings, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and improved quality of care.

 

Institutions that support EBP provide nurses with access to research literature, training in critical appraisal skills, and opportunities for participation in research projects or quality improvement initiatives. By fostering a culture of inquiry and evidence-based decision-making, these organizations empower nurses to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.

 

In conclusion, research in nursing is essential for advancing the profession, improving patient outcomes, and shaping the delivery of healthcare. Through EBP, nurses can integrate the best available evidence into their practice, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients and communities.

By Day 3 of Week 1

Post a brief introduction, including your current or previous role in nursing practice. Describe any previous experience with nursing research. Be specific. Then, explain any previous experience or familiarity with EBP and explain whether your current organization supports EBP. Be specific and provide examples.

 

Introduction:

 

As a registered nurse with several years of experience in critical care settings, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of evidence-based practice (EBP) in improving patient outcomes and advancing nursing practice. Throughout my career, I have been committed to staying updated on the latest research findings and incorporating evidence-based interventions into my clinical practice to provide the highest quality care to my patients.

 

Experience with Nursing Research:

 

In my previous role as a critical care nurse, I actively engaged in nursing research by participating in research projects conducted within the healthcare institution. I collaborated with nurse researchers and other interdisciplinary team members to collect data, analyze findings, and contribute to research manuscripts. Additionally, I regularly reviewed and critiqued research articles related to critical care nursing topics to stay informed about current evidence and best practices.

 

Experience with Evidence-Based Practice (EBP):

 

I have a strong background in evidence-based practice, which I have cultivated through formal education, professional development opportunities, and hands-on experience in clinical settings. In my current organization, EBP is emphasized as a cornerstone of nursing practice, and various resources and support systems are in place to facilitate its implementation.

 

For example, our organization provides access to online databases and journals, such as PubMed and CINAHL, to enable nurses to search for relevant research articles and evidence-based guidelines. Moreover, we have established interdisciplinary EBP committees tasked with reviewing current evidence, identifying gaps in practice, and implementing evidence-based interventions to address patient care needs.

 

Furthermore, regular EBP education and training sessions are conducted to empower nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to critically appraise research literature, integrate evidence into practice, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Clinical practice guidelines and protocols are also developed based on the best available evidence to standardize care delivery and promote consistency across healthcare units.

 

In summary, my previous experience in nursing research and familiarity with evidence-based practice have equipped me with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute to the advancement of nursing practice and the delivery of high-quality patient care. I am fortunate to work in an organization that prioritizes EBP and provides robust support for its integration into clinical practice.

By Day 6 of Week 1

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by expanding upon your colleague’s post or suggesting an additional alternative perspective on EBP.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

 

 

One aspect to consider is the challenges and barriers nurses may encounter when attempting to implement EBP in their practice. While the importance of integrating research findings into clinical decision-making is widely recognized, the reality of busy healthcare settings and limited resources can pose significant challenges. For example, time constraints, lack of access to research literature, and insufficient training in EBP methods may hinder nurses’ ability to effectively incorporate evidence into their practice. Discussing strategies to overcome these barriers, such as providing dedicated time for EBP activities, offering ongoing education and support, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, can be valuable additions to the conversation.

 

Another perspective to explore is the role of nurse leaders and organizations in promoting a culture of EBP. Nurse leaders play a crucial role in setting the tone for EBP within their organizations, championing its importance, and providing resources and support to facilitate its implementation. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and quality improvement, nurse leaders can empower nurses at all levels to engage in EBP and drive positive change in patient care outcomes. Sharing examples of successful EBP initiatives led by nurse leaders and discussing strategies for cultivating a supportive organizational environment can further enrich the discussion.

 

By expanding the conversation to include challenges, strategies, and the role of nurse leaders in promoting EBP, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of its importance and impact in nursing practice.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 1 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 of Week 1 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 1

To Participate in this Discussion:

Week 1 Discussion

 

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What’s Coming Up in Week 2?

  • Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

Next week, you will examine the elements of a research problem. You will formulate your own research problem statement and consider its potential impact on society and in promoting positive nursing practice change.

Looking Ahead: Assignment: CITI Program Training

  • As a doctorally-prepared nurse, you may have opportunities collaborate in research activities in your practice. The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program) provides education on protection of human subjects. In the United States, the CITI Program is the training module that most research institutions use.

Therefore, as a part of this course, you are required to successfully complete the CITI Program training by Day 7 of Week 9.

This online course may take up to 8 hours to complete. You will receive an electronic Certificate of Completion upon successfully passing the training. You will submit this Certificate of Completion to the Walden University Institutional Review Board office when you submit an application to conduct research.

To Prepare:

  • Follow the instructions on the CITI Program Learner Registration webpage to create your account (https://www.citiprogram.org/index.cfm?pageID=154&icat=0&clear=1).
    • Review the CITI Program Learner Registration Guide for step-by-step instructions on completing the registration process.
    • Be sure to select Walden University under the “Select Your Organization Affiliation” section. If you do not select Walden University, you will not be able to access the training at no cost.
  • Create and record your CITI Program User Name and Password for future reference.

Thank you for providing the instructions to register for the CITI Program. I will proceed with creating my account following the steps outlined in the CITI Program Learner Registration Guide. I understand the importance of selecting Walden University as my organization affiliation to access the training at no cost. I will ensure to record my CITI Program User Name and Password for future reference. If I encounter any issues during the registration process, I will refer back to the registration guide for assistance. Once registered, I look forward to completing the required training modules.

To complete:

By Day 7 of Week 9

  • Complete the five required Citi Program training modules as well as the two elective modules.
  • Copy and paste the Certificate of Completion into a Word document and save the file as a “.doc” or “.rtf” file.

You are not required to submit this Assignment this week.

Note: This Assignment must be completed by Day 7 of Week 9 in order for you to successfully complete this course.

NURS 8201 Week 4: Quantitative Methods: Analyzing Quantitative Data

 

  1. Access the CITI Program website (https://www.citiprogram.org/index.cfm?pageID=14).
  2. Log in to your account using your CITI Program User Name and Password.
  3. Navigate to the “My Learner Tools” or “Courses” section to find the required and elective training modules.
  4. Complete each of the five required modules, ensuring to review the content thoroughly.
  5. After completing the required modules, proceed to complete the two elective modules of your choice.
  6. Once you have finished all modules, you should be able to access and download your Certificate of Completion from the CITI Program website.

 

After downloading the Certificate of Completion, you can open a Word document and copy and paste the certificate into the document. Then, save the document with an appropriate file name extension such as “.doc” or “.rtf”.

 

If you encounter any difficulties during the process, refer to the CITI Program Learner Registration Guide or contact their support for assistance.

Next Week

https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/rsch8201/week1discussion

When considering research in nursing, several key aspects come to mind:

 

  1. **Improving Patient Care**: Research in nursing is essential for improving patient outcomes and enhancing the quality of care provided. By exploring different methods and ideologies, nurses can identify best practices and implement evidence-based interventions that are proven to be effective.

 

  1. **Validation and Refinement of Knowledge**: Nursing research validates existing knowledge while also refining it. Through systematic inquiry and analysis, nurses can build upon what is already known and contribute to the advancement of the profession.

 

  1. **Generating New Knowledge**: Research in nursing not only validates existing knowledge but also generates new knowledge. This continuous cycle of inquiry and discovery contributes to the growth and evolution of the field.

 

  1. **Direct and Indirect Influence on Practice**: The knowledge generated through nursing research directly and indirectly influences the delivery of evidence-based nursing care. By staying informed about the latest research findings, nurses can adapt their practice to ensure they are providing the best possible care to their patients.

 

For doctoral nursing students, research holds significant importance:

 

  1. **Advanced Understanding and Application**: Doctoral nursing students are expected to develop a deep understanding of research methods and their application in nursing practice. They are often involved in conducting original research that contributes to the body of knowledge in the field.

 

  1. **Leadership in Evidence-Based Practice**: Doctoral nursing students are positioned to lead in the integration of evidence-based practice into clinical settings. They play a crucial role in translating research findings into practice and advocating for the use of evidence-based interventions.

 

  1. **Contribution to the Profession**: Through their research endeavors, doctoral nursing students contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession. Their work has the potential to shape policies, improve healthcare delivery systems, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.

NURS 8201 Week 10: Qualitative Analysis: Collecting, Analyzing, and Interpreting

 

In summary, research in nursing is integral to the advancement of the profession and the delivery of high-quality patient care. For doctoral nursing students, research represents an opportunity to deepen their understanding, lead in evidence-based practice, and make meaningful contributions to the field.

NURS 8201 Week 1: Introduction to Research Methods

 

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