NSC 440 RESEARCH IN NURSING
4 UNITS
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING SCIENCEFACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL
SCIENCES
1
THE RESEARCH PROCESS
ADENIKE OLAOGUN PhD RN RM RPHN
Objectives• At the end of the learning session; the learners
will be able to-1.Define research, process2.Identify the two main types of research3.Identify the steps of the research process
Questions• What is a problem?• How do you solve problems?• What is a process?• What is a research?• Give examples of research you know, have
read or have conducted
INTRODUCTION TO CONTENTEveryday, problems exist to be solved but
sometimes, we make deliberate attempt to identify problems, analysis the problem and when this becomes deliberate and systematic and scientific, it is referred to as a research
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Research A; QUANTITATIVE• The acceptance of Pentavalent Vaccine among
mothers in Ekiti state
Research B; QUALITATIVE• The use of religious facilities for giving birth
Definition- Research• A studious inquiry or examination especially :
investigation or experimentation aimed at discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws. Merriam- Webster online dictionary
• A process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue
Definition- Research• Nursing research, according to Cronin (1993),
is the pursuit of scientifically based knowledge on which the practice of nursing can be based.
Definition - Process• A series of actions, changes or functions
brining about a result ( The free Online Dictionary)
Formulating and delimiting the problem-1• Problems could be simple or complex, they
could be selected for you as a student, could be found from our varied readings ( literature) , day to day experiences and in complex issues like testing a strategy or treatment. The Why? What ? Is there a better way/ method?
• Delimit by asking, is it feasible, researchable, are there facilities to conduct the research, is it significant?
Reviewing the literature-2• Search literature for existing work /
information. It gives foundation for knowledge, identification of gaps in knowledge, methods used and that can be used
• Select topic and search for it though internet services eg Google, yahoo, pubmed, books, journals
Selecting the research design-3• The overall plan. It gives direction to the study
on which of the methodologies would be used
Define the population of study-4• What is the group to be studied..is it human
beings? What sex, age group, specific group, geographical location
• This is the aggregate of all the individuals or object to be studied.
Designing the sample plan-5
• The sample is a representative entity from the total population. A subset of the population.
Specifying methods to measure the research variables6
• Write a proposal ; indicate what is to be done. Design, population, instrument,,.
Conducting a Pilot Study and Making Revisions-7• The pilot study is a miniature or small scale
trial of the study.• It gives information on what the study will
entail, challenges to be met , testing of instruments etc
Collecting the data-8• This is the actual procedure for getting
information. The sample is recruited, Instruments to be used are produced , there may be need to train research assistants and data gathering
Preparing the data for analysis-9• Need for data cleaning,• Feeding raw data into statistical softwares
Analysing the data-10• Statistical test are carried out.• Descriptive- frequencies, percentages, mean
standard deviation etc.• Inferential- Chi square, regression analysis,
Interpreting the Results-11• Explain the findings in the light of the theory
and existing literature
• Write out the results
Communicating the Findings-121. Write out the report for your dept / the
funding organization2. Results are disseminated either through
seminars, workshops, publications.This is done so that others may have access to
the knowledge.
Utilizing the findings-13• Use in practice- Evidenced based. In nursing,
use the results in clinical work to modify or introduce new strategies for nursing care
Qualitative research• Qualitative research deals with sensitive issues
or issues that are not well understood. • Exploring a situation. Theses are the steps-1. Conceptualizing and Planning the Research2. Conducting the research3. Analysis of data4. Disseminating the research
Conceptualizing and Planning the Research-1
• The issue can be clarified based on researchers’ self reflection or literature search.
• Identify the site, the setting and population to study
Conducting the research
• Most of the time sample size is based on saturation of information
• Methods – in depth interview, focus group discussion, observation techniques,
• Openness in collection of data. Audio or video recording.
Analysis of data• Content analysis• Use of soft wares
Disseminating the research• Reports are rich verbatin passages directly
from participants
Summary• There are two main types of research. The
research process in the quantitative is more logical, sequential and rigorous. It is analyzed with statistical tests. The qualitative is less rigid and can not be analyzed with statistics
Assignment• Break up into groups of 6 or 10. each group
should pick a research article in a reputable journal preferably a manuscript from one of the lecturers in the dept. Study and identify each step of the process
• Next week, we are discussing Ethical issues in research.
Essay Questions• Differentiate between quantative and
qualitative research.• Identify the steps of quantitative research• Identify the steps of the qualitative research
