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1 Introduction. 2 Definition and purpose. Outcomes.

Nursing research dates back as early as 1850. Florence Nightingale conducted the first documented research focused on the impact of environmental health on soldier mortality. Since then, research in Nursing has evolved into a recognised science that is uses scientific study specific or identified problems or phenomena in Nursing. During this online activity you will be introduced to the basic concepts related to Nursing Research..

Nursing research A systematic method that can confirm or improve existing knowledge. Nursing Research generates new insights that impact nursing practice. Purpose Nursing Research is essential to develop knowledge for clinical practice and refine interventions. Nursing Research facilitates the development or improvement of guidelines and protocols and Nursing Research builds an evidence-based practice for the profession. (Grove, Gray & Burns, 2015:3).

[Audio] The research as well as nursing processes follow a scientific approach. The steps in the research process will appear familiar as we compare the steps in research to the scientific nursing process. When a nurse cares for a patient and performs a patient assessment, the nurse gathers objective and subjective data about the patient and their presenting complaint or condition. The nurse uses this data to formulate nursing diagnoses. This diagnosis will inform care plan set for the patient. When researchers face a problem in practice for example, they will ask specific questions about that problem. They need to formulate a clearer understanding of what the actual issue is. This initial step allows researchers to narrow down the issue into a specific problem. In nursing, after identifying a nursing diagnosis, nurses will plan care guided by this diagnosis. The care that is planned includes specific and measurable outcomes. Nursing care is implemented according to this carefully developed care plan. In research once a specific problem is identified, researchers may hypothesize or suggest an expected outcome and formulate how they will be going about finding answers to their research questions. Once this step is concluded the researchers will then carry out experiments, observations or other data collection activities. After implementing care, nurses will evaluate the patient's progress towards the expected outcomes. In research, once data has been collected, researchers will analyze the data collected and draw conclusions specific to the research questions and objectives.

[Audio] Next we will take a closer look at the research process and the steps in this process in more depth. The authors Grove Gray and Burns describe the research process. The research process commences with a Research Problem. Researchers identify and define the specific issue or question that the intended research will address. Before commencing the research the researchers conduct through review of available literature. This is known as a Literature Review. Researchers will conduct a comprehensive review of existing research and literature related to the research problem to understand the current state of knowledge specific to the problem they are interested in. After conducting a literature review researchers develop a framework or approach for the research. Researchers formulate a framework that outlines the approach and perspective of the study. They will also need to specifically state the research objectives and research Question. Researchers clearly state the goals of the research and formulate specific questions that the research aims to answer. Next researchers may develop a testable statement that predicts an expected outcome based on other studies or on their own assumptions. This is known as a hypothesis. Researchers plan their methodology including the type of research (for example experimental descriptive) procedures and techniques to be used and specify this in their research design. Identifying a suitable population and sampling ensures that researchers clearly identify or define the target population and determine the sampling methods to select suitable participants for the study so that the correct data can be collected. Next they will need to specify the measurement methods or tools and instruments that they will use to collect data. These can included surveys interviews or observations. Once this preparatory work is complete data collection can commence. This is the process of gathering data from the selected sample using the methods that the researchers had identified. Once all the data is collected researchers will proceed with data analysis. The data collected will be analysed using appropriate techniques to interpret the results. On completion of data analysis the results are discussed . The findings are discussed within the context of the research objectives. The research outcomes are shared along with the implications limitations and potential future research that is recommended based on the outcomes of the research findings..

A CLOSER LOOK AT EACH STEP.

[Audio] The research problem is the specific "thing" that catches the interest of the researcher. The research problem in nursing could relate to patient care nursing practice and processes or several other aspects in nursing. The authors Grove Gray and Burns explain that a research problem is a specific issue difficulty contradiction or gap in knowledge that a researcher aims to address through their study. It forms the foundation of a research project. The research problem will guide the direction of the study the questions asked and how the researchers will go about conducting the research..

[Audio] Conducting a literature review in research provides researchers with insights in to what knowledge already exists what gaps have been identified in other research. It provides insight into methodology and approaches to addressing the research problem. Literature reviews are an important step in research and ensure that the study is grounded in current scientific knowledge. It provides an opportunity to build on previous work. This process helps to refine research questions develop appropriate methodologies and avoid duplication of efforts..

[Audio] Selecting the study framework or approach in nursing research involves choosing a theoretical or conceptual model that aligns with the research problem and questions. This framework guides the study design data collection and analysis ensuring coherence and providing a structured way to interpret findings within the context of existing knowledge and theories in nursing.

[Audio] Determining the research objectives involves clearly defining what the study aims to achieve. Objectives should be specific measurable attainable relevant and time-bound. This step outlines the goals of the research. This could include understanding a phenomenon evaluating an intervention or exploring relationships between variables in nursing practice. These will further guide the research approach design and methods..

[Audio] Formulating the research questions involves creating clear focused and researchable questions that stem from the research objectives. These questions should be precise and guide the direction of the study helping to identify the type of data needed and the methods to be used. In nursing research well-formulated questions address specific aspects of nursing care patient outcomes or healthcare systems and can be descriptive exploratory explanatory or predictive..

STEP 5. Hypothesis. Polit & Beck, 2014:107. It is an assumption or prediction related to the relationship amongst variables being studied..

[Audio] Research design is the overall strategy that outlines how the research will be conducted ensuring the research methodology is sound and answers the research questions. It includes selecting between qualitative quantitative or a mixed-method approach. The research design step sets the framework for data collection and analysis specifying the study population sampling methods and data collection tools and how the researchers will ensuring validity and reliability..

[Audio] The population is said to be the entire group of interest for the research. These individuals objects or substances meet all the criteria for inclusion in the study..

[Audio] Sampling involves selecting a subset of individuals or objects from a larger population – or the accessible population to participate in the research. In this step researchers must ensure that the sample accurately represents the population. Once the population has been clearly identified researchers must chose the most appropriate sampling method that will ensure that they are able to obtain data specific to the research objectives and questions. Sampling is guided by the research method or approach. Sampling methods include probability or non-probability sampling methods. Researchers must also determine the correct sample size. They must determine how the participants will be recruited and how they will be protected during the study..

[Audio] Researchers must clarify what measurement methods they will be adopting in their research. This includes specifying the tools and techniques that will be used to collect data. In order to do so they must identify and clearly define the variables that will be measured and consider the research approach adopted. In quantitative research where numerical data is required researchers tend to use surveys questionnaires scales or biomedical tools that provide numerical data. In qualitative research researchers are more likely to use interview guides focus groups or observational checklists that provide narrative data. Irrespective of the approach researchers must pay close attention to the validity and reliability of their tools and methods. This is often supported through conducting a pilot ahead of the actual research in order to test the tools and methods..

[Audio] Data Collection is the step that involves the systematic gathering of data using the selected instruments by the researcher. Throughout this step researchers must ensure consistency in their use of the tools and strictly adhere to ethical standards..

[Audio] Data analysis involves systematically examining collected data to draw meaningful conclusions answer research questions and support decision-making. The approach to data analysis differs between qualitative and quantitative research. Data whether qualitative or quantitative in nature is interpreted within the context of the research objectives and question. This step must be meticulously managed..

[Audio] The research outcome refers to the findings and results derived from the data analysis. This includes Presenting the main results whether they are statistical data in quantitative studies or themes and patterns in qualitative studies. It also includes a discussion on the practical applications of the findings for nursing practice policy education or further research. Researchers provide suggestions based on the research outcomes to improve nursing practice patient care or healthcare systems. They must acknowledge the study's limitations and the potential impact of these limitations on their findings. These outcomes must be included in the research report..

[Audio] The research report documents the entire research process and its findings. It typically includes the following sections: The title page which includes the title of the study author(s) and date. An which is a brief summary of the research objectives methods findings and conclusions. The introduction which presents the background significance and purpose of the study along with the research questions or hypotheses. The literature review which summarises existing research related to the topic and identifying gaps that this study aims to fill. Methodology which details the research design sampling methods data collection instruments and procedures used in the study. The result section presents the findings in a clear and organized manner using tables figures and narrative descriptions. The discussion session provides the researcher's interpretation of the results linking these results to the research questions existing literature and theoretical framework. The conclusion summarises the main findings their implications and the study's overall contribution to nursing knowledge. All literature reviewed and sources used in the study are listed in the complete list of references according to a specific referencing style. Supplementary materials such as data collection instruments ethical approval and other relevant documents are included in the Appendices..

[Audio] In the next learning item in this activity you are required to download and read the published article: Patient Safety Informatics: Meeting the challenges of emerging digital health by McInerney and others. The questions that follow in the assessment activity are based on this article and the steps described above..

THANK YOU.