Show Research should be conducted in a systematic manner, allowing the researcher to progress from a general idea or clinical problem to scientifically rigorous research findings that enable new developments to improve clinical practice. Using a research process helps guide this process. This article is the first in a 26-part series on nursing research. It examines the process that is common to all research, and provides insights into ten different stages of this process: developing the research question, searching and evaluating the literature, selecting the research approach, selecting research methods, gaining access to the research site and data, pilot study, sampling and recruitment, data collection, data analysis, and dissemination of results and implementation of findings. Nursing Standard. 29, 27, 44-49. doi: 10.7748/ns.29.27.44.e8745 Correspondence
Peer review This article has been subject to double blind peer review Received: 10 January 2014 Accepted: 03 October 2014 Want to read more?Already subscribed? Log inORUnlock full access to RCNi Plus todaySave over 50% on your first 3 monthsYour subscription package includes:
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Consult with a statistician: If you have decided on a research question and are planning a research study, the next step is to meet with a Biostatistician. A Biostatistician can assist with turning your research question into a statistical question that is focused on outcomes that can be tested and measured. They will also determine the appropriate sample size for your study. Check with your unit manager to make sure the Biostats meeting can be billed to your unit cost center. Henry Ford Health Public Health Sciences (PHS) Senior Staff Researcher: Ed Peterson I am currently learning how to use SPSS for statistical analysis to enable some basic statistical analysis to be conducted in nursing research projects. The aim is to be able to run initial data analysis on small clinical focused projects and try to support other nursing colleagues in their project ideas (#community of practice). Understanding more about the data process and how to choose the correct statistical method is a complex process and an ongoing learning objective. Below are some introductory resources that may help you plan your project and provide helpful tips on how to save your data set, analyse the data, create demographic and result tables. Access to a statistician remains key, as they provide so much expertise and understanding around data analysis, and they provide a robustness to the results process. If you have useful research resources please post them in the comment section below and we can develop this post as an ongoing research resource for nurses. As I use SPSS on further projects, more resources will be added into this page. The Research Question Consider something that inspires, interests or annoys you- motivation is key, especially if the project is done in own time. Or a quality measure that will help change and enhance practice. Background Conduct a literature review to explore the background scientific findings on your topic and then provide a rationale for your study. Why is it important to conduct? Set out your aims and objectives, also any hypothesis if required. When analysing the evidence base, use expert resources such as Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Study Design Consider your topic and what data needs to collected to meet the aims and objectives. Will this be a quantitative or qualitative study? Ethics Before your collect any data, check in with your hospital or university ethics committee to see what level of ethics your project sits under. Be prepared for some form filling and some unique wordology. If you delve further into the history of ethical standards, be prepared for some moving and challenging cases. Data Collection Prepare a data file, this will depend on the software you have access to. So far the easiest and cheapest way I have found is to use Xcel that can then normally be uploaded into a stats software package (accessed on a University computer) and you can use formula’s from this program to obtain most of the basic stats you will need for a first draft data analysis. Remember, have the variable along the x axis (across the top) and participant number along the y (down the side). Determine and define your variables, also create a code book to label any values. Borrow a book that can guide you through the research steps and the software program. This is the one I used: Pallant, J. (2013). SPSS survival manual. McGraw-Hill Education (UK). If you are a student, check with your university IT team to see what software you can access or download onto your personal computer. Statistics Get inspired by Florence Nightingale, who was much more than just the lady and the lamp. You will need to describe the setting, participants and statistical methods. Again a book with statistical advice on how to choose, run and review your result findings will be required, such as Tabachnick & Fidell (2007) Using multivariate statistics. Ideally have a statistician to mentor you through the process. Results Return to your literature review and see what types of figures and tables were published in the results sections and replicate this format so you can then compare your results to previous literature. Do the same with the demographic tables, helps determining if mean or median should be used (median more robust I hear you say). Add these key results and link in with context of background discussion. What are the implications from your findings, and also any limitations of the study. Publication Time Thinking around the bigger picture of healthcare research and publications. Positive or negative data results, we only see a biased picture in that often only positive trials are published so they are what influence healthcare practice. Pick a journal that fits in with your topic or methodology. Check in with the publisher author guides if you aim to publish, and they will provide clear outlines for structure, content and referencing style. Resources Joanna Briggs Institute. (2017). Critical appraisal tools. Pallant, J. (2013). SPSS survival manual. McGraw-Hill Education (UK). Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2007). Using multivariate statistics. Allyn & Bacon/Pearson Education. What are the stages of nursing research?The nursing research process can be outlined using the nursing process steps of assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation. In the assessment phase the problem is identified, the literature is reviewed, and the variables are identified.
What are the 7 steps of the research process?The Seven Steps of the Research Process. Step 1: Identify and Develop Your Topic. ... . Step 2: Find Background Information. ... . Step 3: Use Catalogs to Find Books and Media. ... . Step 4: Use Databases to Find Journal Articles. ... . Step 5: Find Internet Resources. ... . Step 6: Evaluate What You Find. ... . Step 7: Cite What You Find Using a Standard Format.. What are the 5 stages of the research process?Step 1 – Locating and Defining Issues or Problems. This step focuses on uncovering the nature and boundaries of a situation or question that needs to be answered or studied. ... . Step 2 – Designing the Research Project. ... . Step 3 – Collecting Data. ... . Step 4 – Interpreting Research Data. ... . Step 5 – Report Research Findings.. What are the steps of the research process?Depending on your familiarity with the topic and the challenges you encounter along the way, you may need to rearrange these steps.. Step 1: Identify and develop your topic. ... . Step 2 : Do a preliminary search for information. ... . Step 3: Locate materials. ... . Step 4: Evaluate your sources. ... . Step 5: Make notes. ... . Step 6: Write your paper.. |
