Abstract

A brief description of the study placed at the beginning of the research report. The abstract is about 100-200 words which answer the following questions: What was the purpose of the research study? What were the research questions? What methods did the researcher use to answer the research questions or to test the hypothesis(es)? What did the researcher find? What were the implications for nursing practice? (Polit and Beck, pp. 68-69).

CHAPTER I
Introduction - acquaints the readers with the research problem, concepts or variables under study. The introduction should capture the readers interest. Statement of the problem an expression of a dilemma or disturbing situation that needs investigation.

CHAPTER I
Problem Statement should address the following: Problem identification: What is wrong with the current situation? Background: What is the nature of the problem, the context of the situation that readers need to understand? Scope of the problem: How big a problem is it; how many people are affected? Consequences of the problem: What is the cost of not fixing the problem? Knowledge gaps: What information about the problem is lacking? Proposed solution: What is the basis for believing that the proposed study would contribute to the solution of the problem?

Example Research Problem

Nursing care in hospitals is extensive, provided by a variety of professionals, and extremely expensive. Nursing studies have shown that nursing care delivery changes affect staff and organizational outcomes, but the effects on client outcomes have not been studied sufficiently. (Blegen, Goode, & Reed, 1998)

Example Research Problem

Breast cancer is a significant health problem for midlife women, with an estimated 193,700 cases diagnosed in the United States in 2001 . . . Women with breast cancer therapy who experience chemotherapy induced premature menopause report more physical symptom distress and poorer sexual functioning than other breast cancer survivors . . . How young midlife women respond to drug induced premature menopause in the context of newly diagnosed early stage breast cancer and adjuvant chemotherapy is unknown. (Knobf, 2002, pp. 910)

CHAPTER I
Purpose
Goal, aim, focus, or objective of the study Clear, concise statement Includes variables, population, and setting

The purpose of this study was to

Describe . . . Determine differences between groups . . . Examine relationships among . . . Determine the effect of . . .

Example Research Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe, at the level of the nursing care unit, the relationships among total hours of nursing care, registered nurse (RN) skill mix, and adverse patient outcomes. (Blegen et al., 1998) The purpose of this study was to develop a substantive theory that would describe and explain womens responses to chemotherapy induced premature menopause within the context of breast cancer. (Knobf, 2002, p. 10)

CHAPTER I
Significance of the study to nursing
Implications for nursing practice; potential to produce evidence for improving nursing practice Extension of knowledge base; extends, refines or corroborates previous knowledge Promotion of theory development; does the study test or develop a theory? Correspondence to research priorities; address a research priority that has been established by research scholars, agencies that fund nursing research (NINR) and professional nursing organizations.

CHAPTER I
Research questions - interrogative statements that focus on what variables or concepts are to be described and what relationships might exist among them. What is the relationship between reported depressive symptoms and rate of return to work for patients following cardiac surgery? What is the relationship of anxiety and compliance with medications and follow-up appointments for patients following cardiac surgery?

CHAPTER I
Research hypothesis(es)- formal statement of the expected relationships among variables
Directional Nondirectional Research Null (Statistical)

Examples of Hypotheses
Directional - Attitudes of pediatric nurses toward mentally retarded clients are more favorable than those of medical surgical nurses. Nondirectional - Attitudes of pediatric nurses toward mentally retarded clients are related to number of years in practice. Research statements of expected relationships between variables (include directional and nondirectional). Null - There is no difference in reported pain experienced by cancer patients with chronic pain who listen to music with positive suggestion of pain reduction and those who do not.

CHAPTER I
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework Theory is an abstract generalization that presents a systematic explanation about how phenomena are related which embodies at least two concepts that are related in a manner that the theory attempts to explain.
Example Theory of Reinforcement states that behavior that is reinforced (rewarded) tends to be repeated and learned.
Concepts of the theory include reinforcement and learning Proposition behavior that is reinforced tends to be repeated and learned Deductive hypothesis generation (Ex. Hyperactive children who are praised or rewarded when they are engaged in quiet play will exhibit less acting-out behaviors than similar children who are not praised. This hypothesis can then be tested.

CHAPTER I
Grand Theories attempt to explain large segments of the human experience Middle Range Theories attempt to explain a portion of the human experience Conceptual Model - Represent a less formal attempt to explain phenomena than theories; do not have formal propositions about relationships among phenomena

CommonalitiesTheories and Conceptual Models

use concepts as building blocks require conceptual definitions of key concepts can be depicted in schematic models are created by humans are developed inductively cannot be provedthey are supported to greater or lesser degrees can be used to generate hypotheses can serve as a stimulus to research

Conceptual Models of Nursing

Formal explanations of what nursing practice is Four concepts central to models of nursing:
Person Environment Health Nursing

Some Conceptual Models Used Frequently by Nurse Researchers

Conceptual models of nursing:
Roys Adaptation Model Orems Self-Care Model

Other models developed by nurses:

Penders Health Promotion Model (HPM) Mishels Uncertainty in Illness Theory

Conceptual and Operational Definintions

Conceptual definition the abstract or theoretical meaning of the concepts under study. Operational definition specifies how variables will be observed or measured; operational definitions should correspond to conceptual definitions. .

Example of Conceptual and Operational Defintions

Self-care (Conceptual Definition)- action directed by individuals to themselves or their environments to regulate their own functioning and development in the interest of sustaining life, maintaining or restoring integrated functioning under stable or changing environmental conditions, and maintaining or bringing about a condition of well-being. Self-Care (Operational Definition) the Denyes Self-Care Questionnaire will be used to measure self-care in the current study.

CHAPTER II Literature Review?

What Is a Literature Review? A literature review in a research report is a summary of current empirical and theoretical knowledge about a particular practice problem that provides a basis for the study conducted. Empirical literature: includes relevant studies Theoretical literature: includes concept analyses, theories, and models that support the research purpose

CHAPTER II Literature Review

Conducting a Literature Review The process of examining an extensive number of research and theoretical sources to generate a picture of what is known and not known about a clinical problem.

Writing a Review of the Literature

Purposes
Document the current knowledge of a selected topic Indicate findings that are ready for use in practice

Outline
Introduction Empirical literature Summary

Writing a Review of the Literature

Introduction
Indicates focus or purpose of review Describes organization of sources Indicates basis for ordering
Most important to least Earliest to most recent Categories

Writing a Review of the Literature

Empirical Literature
Includes quality studies relevant to topic For each study, purpose, sample, sample size, design, and specific findings presented, using paraphrasing rather than direct quotes Scholarly, but brief, critique of studys strengths and weaknesses

Literature Review: Ethical Issues

Content from studies must be presented honestly and not distorted to support a selected utilization project. The weaknesses of a study need to be addressed, but it is not necessary to be highly critical of a researchers work. Criticism should focus on the content, be related to your project, and be neutral and scholarly rather than negative and blaming. Sources should be accurately documented.

Literature Review: Summary

Concise presentation of the research knowledge about a selected topicwhat is known and not known Judgment stating whether there is adequate knowledge to direct a change in clinical practice Brief statement of proposed change in practice

CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY

Research Design the overall plan for obtaining answers to the research questions. The following questions will need to be addressed:
Will there be an intervention? What types of comparisons will be made? How will extraneous variables be controlled? When and how many times will data be collected? In what setting will the study take place?