research purpose, problem statements

8/2/2019 Research Purpose, Problem Statements

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The Research Problem, Purpose and Question

Definition of a Research ProblemA situation in need of a solution, improvement, or alteration; or a discrepancy between the

way things are and the way they ought to be.

Sources of Research ProblemsNursing Practice

Researcher and Peer Interaction

Literature Review

TheoryResearch Priorities

Example of a Research ProblemCurrent policy at most hospitals requires the use of routine flushing of heparin locks after

administration of medication or flushing heparin locks every 8 hours when not beingused for medication administration. However, there is disagreement on whether flushesof low doses of heparin are necessary to maintain the patency of heparin locks. Heparin

is known to be incompatible with many drugs. The interaction potential of heparin is

said to be avoided by flushing the lock with normal saline injection before and afteradministration of the medicationSaline flush is a safe, time-saving procedure for

nursing staff to perform. Additionally, the use of normal saline would save the cost of a

heparin flush.

Definition of Research PurposeA purpose is a concise , clear statement of the specific goal or aim of the study. The

purpose includes the variables, population, and setting for a study.

Examples of a Research PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of normal saline versus normal

saline containing 10 U/mL of heparin for maintaining heparin-lock sites.

Research QuestionDefinition

--Research questions are interrogative statements that focus on what variables orconcepts are to be described and what relationships might exist among them.

Research Questions ExamplesWhat is the influence of depressive symptoms at 4 weeks after cardiac surgery on self-

reported recovery of general activities at 8 weeks?

What is the influence of anxiety measured at 4 weeks after cardiac surgery on self-reportedrecovery of general activities at 8 weeks?


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Determining the Feasibility of a StudyMoney CommitmentTime Commitment

Researchers Expertise

Availability of Subjects, Facility, and Equipment

Cooperation of OthersEthical Considerations

EXAMPLE OF A STUDY(Burns, N. and Grove, S. (1995) Understanding nursing research.

Philadelphia:W.B. Sunders.)

RESEARCH PROBLEM

Aggressive behavior in cognitively impaired elderly is often problematic for family and

professional caregivers who attempt to provide compassionately for their needs. Ifcaregivers view aggression as meaningful behavior to be explored and understood rather

that as disruptive behavior to be controlled, they may find it more of a challenge and lessof a threat. In the future, behavioral problems in the cognitively impaired are likely tohave an even greater impact on individuals, families and society, since the prevalence of

dementia is known to increase with age(Kern, 1998) and the number of the old-old in

this country is projected to continue to rise sharply (Longino, 1998). Both family andprofessional caregivers will need to understand dementia and develop skills in the

prevention and management of behavioral problems in this population (Ryden et al.,

1991, p.87).

RESEARCH PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to determine the nature, frequency of occurrence, andcontext of aggressive behavior in a nursing home sample of cognitively impaired

residents.

RESEARCH QUESTIONSThe study is designed to answer the following questions:

What proportion of cognitively impaired nursing home residents demonstrate aggressive

behavior?Which types of aggressive behavior occur most frequently?

Examples of Problem Statements

What is the relationship between job satisfaction of

nurses in a mid-western state and their direct

involvement in current nursing information?


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What is the relationship between maternal depressionand a child's behavior?

What is the difference between an experienced nurse's

knowledge and practice regarding the use of side rails

in the geriatric population?

What is relationship of social support to prenatal care

and health behaviors of low-income women?

What is the effect of experience on pharmacological

knowledge?

What is the difference between self-efficacy scores in

older adults who exercise and the scores of those who do

not?

To what extent does the age of a client influence how

nurses perceive and respond to the client's perception of

pain?


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What is the difference in attitudes of men and women

college students toward condoms?

To what extent does patient control in decision-making

processes affect stress in hospitalized patients?

What are the psychometric properties of the

Measurement of Presence Scale (MOPS) when testing

RNs in Oklahoma?

What dimensions of presence will emerge through

instrumentation testing?

What are the relationships among presence, self-esteem,

and demographic variables in a sample of RNs

practicing in Oklahoma?

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