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UNIT 2: RESEARCH PROPOSAL

 

1.0 Intended Learning Outcomes

a. Apply the basic concepts of research in the process of developing a
research proposal;
b. Conceptualize a research proposal using the scientific method of
conducting research.
c. Submit a thesis proposal in nursing incorporating all the important
sections of Chapters 1, 2 and 3.
 
1.1. Introduction

The Nursing Research 1 learning Packet is a self-paced learning material

which incorporates the learning objectives into a more enriching
learning experience by discussing the topics on concepts, principles in
the application of the phases of the nursing research process. It
introduces the beginning role of the nurse as a nurse researcher. Further,
the learners are expected to develop a technically and ethically sound
research proposal.

Learning Packet 2 of this subject will guide the student researchers

develop a thesis proposal in nursing, integrating the basic
principles in conducting research to all sections of a thesis
proposal.

1.2 Conceptual Phase

1.2.1 WRITING THE TITLE

In writing the title, the following are guidelines to be followed and

characteristics that a thesis title must have.

1. Should summarize the main idea of the paper

2. Should be a concise statement about the main topic
3. Must include the major variables
4. Academically phrased and is not verbose
5. within the twelve (12) substantive word requirement of the
American Psychological Association (APA)
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6. The title should be clear and distinctively stated.

7. Subject matter of the study, the place of the study, population
involved, the period when the data were gathered should be
included, whenever necessary.
8. Choose terms that will summarize the variables if there are
many variable being studied.
9. Title should not contain acronyms.
10. Some forms of title phrasing such as “Study of.....”,An
analysis....”,”A Preliminary Sudy of.....” are to be avoided.
11. Title should not contain formulas, symbols or subscripts or
other non-alphabetic symbols instead word substitute should be
used.
12. In case the title contains more than one line, it should be written
like an inverted pyramid, all words in capital letters.

ACTIVITY NO.1
Directions:
A. List down 2 problems in nursing practice that you think needs a
solution in the following areas:
 School
 Community
 Hospital or Healthcare centers
 Other areas of concern
B. Based on the identified problems, list down the top 3 topics of interest
and explain why did you chose them.
C. Choose your priority research problem and construct the title using the
guidelines of writing a thesis title.

1.2.2 Chapter 1-The Problem and Its setting

Chapter 1-The Problem and Its setting includes the following sections and each
sections must be discussed comprehensively in your thesis proposal.

1. Introduction
2. Statement of the Problem
3. Hypothesis/es (if applicable)
4. Theoretical Framework
5. Conceptual framework
6. Scope and Delimitation
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7. Definition of terms

1. Introduction

All the best stories begin with a good introduction. Your scientific paper is no
different, as you are telling your reader a story about your findings and you need to
draw them with an interesting introduction (Calderon & Gonzales, 2017).

Purpose of introduction:

1. Besides introducing a specific topic, the purpose of the introduction section is

to stimulate the readers interest, with the aim of leaving A POSITIVE
INITIAL IMPRESSION OF WHAT IS TO COME, so that he or she will be
motivated to read the rest of the paper.

2. To provide sufficient context or background information for readers to

understand your study independently of other previous studies – original
article for publication does not contain RRL section unlike thesis and
dissertation papers.

3. To give an overview of what to expect in the paper – aim of the study and
objectives are included here. It gives a promise to your reader on what to
expect in your paper.

How to Write a Good Introduction:

Take note of the two components of introduction:

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General information: Introduce the topic

specific information: narrow down to the sub-

area that your paper will be addressing

Explain the gap of

knowledge
Aim
&
Objec
tives

Imagine an inverted triangle in constructing introduction

How to write background information:

1. Introduce the topic to the reader

 You should aim to provide your reader with sufficient background

information about the topic to be investigated or discussed.
 Start from General information to specific information. Imagine an
inverted triangle/pyramid:

- General background- introduce the topic to the reader. Authors should

highlight general information about their study. Use key words from your title
to help you focus.

Specific background- Narrow down to the sub-area that your paper will be
addressing, and again highlight the extent of our understanding in this sub-
area.

2. Provide references quoting relevant work by others, taking particular care

not to miss out any important previous work.
a. Cite relevant, up-to-date primary literature to support your
explanation of our current base of knowledge. –Sources should be
within 10 years.
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b. Be sure to cite your sources. To avoid plagiarism. Direct copying or a

closely matched language should be avoided. Instead, be sure to use
your own words to rephrase what you read in the literature and
include references.
c. Don’t overwhelm your reader with a sea of citations. The literature
you cite should logically lead your reader to develop the same
questions that prompted you to do your research project. Roughly a
half page should suffice, but double-check with your target journal’s
information for authors.

The second component of your introduction aims to inform the reader about the
purpose of your article and how it relates to previous work.

3 Guide questions for drafting introduction & How to answer

GENERAL TIPS ABOUT THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF WRITING THE

INTRODUCTION
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1. Use the active voice- Focus on what subject does

2. Be clear and concise.
3. Avoid nominalizations-(converting phrases, including adjectives and verbs, into
nouns). Instead, use the verb form where practical. When you eliminate
nominalizations, your sentences will shorten, you’ll maintain an active voice,
and your sentences will flow more like natural speech.

4. Shorter sentences are clearer, making it easier for your readers to follow your
arguments. Do you see those uber long sentences in your draft? Revise them.
5. Similarly, drop the extended sentences with semicolons and serial clauses
connected by commas. Again, the purpose of your paper is to provide a
CLEAR explanation of your findings.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

 To get right solution of a right problem, clearly defined objectives are very
important.
 Clearly defined objectives enlighten the way in which the researcher has to
proceed.

OBJECTIVES
AIM

The aim is the objective is

the what of the how
the research

AIMS

 The aim is about what you hope to do

 Aim is usually written using an infinitive verb – that is, it’s a to + action.
 So aims often start something like.. My aim in this project is …  to map, to
develop, to design, to track, to generate, to theorise, to build, to investigate, to
understand, and to explore

OBJECTIVES

 The objectives, and there are usually more than one, are the specific steps
you will take to achieve your aim.
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 Objectives are often expressed through active sentences. So, objectives

often start something like In order to achieve this aim, I will… collect,
construct, produce, test, trial, measure, document, pilot, deconstruct,
analyse.

REMINDER!
WRITE YOUR INTRODUCTION AS
THE FINAL SECTION OF YOUR
THESIS

ACTIVITY NO. 2
DIRECTION: READ THE SAMPLE INTRODUCTION AND IDENTIFY IF THIS IS AN
EXAMPLE OF A STRONG/GOOD INTRODUCTION OR POORLY WRITTEN
INTRODUCTION. JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWER.

2. Statement of the Problem

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 The focal point of research. It is just one sentence (with several paragraphs
of elaboration).
 The specific problems must meet the following criteria:
 They must be in question form
 They must define the population and the sample of the study, the
respondents.
 They must identify the variables being studied.
 They must be empirically tested.
 Must be chronologically written.

The opening paragraph of this section which contains the general problem of
the thesis. The following are example of a general problem:

Example:

This study aims to investigate staff nurse’s decisional involvement and its impact to
patient’s satisfaction in government hospitals of Region VIII with the end view of
developing a basis for policy redirections.

The general problem is followed by an enumeration of the specific

problems. The specific problems are usually stated as questions the
researcher seeks to answer.

Example:

Specifically it aims to answer the following:

1. What is the profile of the nurses in terms of the following:

1.1 age;
1.2 sex;
1.3 civil status;
2. What is the perceived actual level of decisional involvement of nurses as
perceived by the staff nurses and nurse managers in terms of the following:
2.1 unit staffing;
2.2 quality of professional practice;
3. Is there a significant relationship between nurses’ decisional involvement and their
profile

SAMPLE STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to investigate staff nurse’s decisional involvement and its impact to
patient’s satisfaction in government hospitals of Region VIII with the end view of
developing a basis for policy redirections.

Specifically it aims to answer the following:

 1. What is the profile of the nurses in terms of the following:

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ACTIVITY NO. 3
DIRECTIONS: FORMULATE YOUR STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM BASED ON
THE IDENTIFIED TITLE IN ACTIVITY NO. 1. USE THE FOLLOWING FORMAT
TITLE OF YOUR RESEARCH:______________________
General Problem:________________________( The researcher aims to …….)
Specific questions:_____________________________
Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:
1. …….

3. Hypothesis/es-

A hypothesis is a tentative conclusion or answer to a specific question raised

at the beginning of the investigation. It is an educated guess about the answer
to a specific question.

Hypothesis- Singular or only one hypothesis

Hypotheses- Plural or more than one hypothesis

REMEMBER!
NOT ALL RESEARCH STUDY HAVE
HYPOTHESIS. HYPOTHESIS IS ONLY
APPLICABLE WHEN THERE IS A QUESTION/S
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Forms of hypotheses

stated in affirmative
states that there is difference between
operational two phenomena

hypothesis

stated in negative

null
states that there is no difference
between two phenomena
this is more commonly used becausde it
hypothesis expresses equality between two
phenomena and testing null hypothesis is
easier

Example:

Statement of the problem/question: Is there a significant difference between the

perceptions of the nurse instructors and those of the students concerning the
different aspects in the teaching of anatomy?

Operational hypothesis: There is a significant difference between the perceptions

of the nurse instructors and those of the students concerning the different
aspects in the teaching of anatomy.
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Null hypothesis:There is no significant difference between the perceptions of the

nurse instructors and those of the students concerning the different aspects in
the teaching of anatomy.

Purposes, functions, and importance of hypotheses or specific questions. Hypotheses

perform important functions in research such as the following:

1. They help the researcher in designing his study: what methods, research
instruments, sampling design, and statistical treatments to use, what data to
gather, etc.
2. They serve as bases for determining assumptions
3. They serve as bases for determining the relevance of data
4. They serve as bases for the explanation or discussion about the data
gathered.
5. They help or guide the researcher in consolidating his findings and in
formulating his conclusions. Generally, findings and conclusions are
answers to the hypotheses or specific questions raised at the start of the
investigation.

Helpful tips:
1. Check your statement of the problem if there
is/are questions about correlation (i.e. is there
a significant difference… or relationship?)
2. Copy that question and REPLACE THE
PHRASE “IS THERE A” TO “THERE IS NO”
3. Look at the example again given above.

ACTIVITY NO. 4
DIRECTIONS: BASED ON THE FORMULATED STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM IN ACTIVITY NO. 3, MAKE YOUR HYPOTHESIS/ES IF
APPLICABLE.

4. Theoretical Framework

Theories are formulated to explain, predict, and understand phenomena

and, in many cases, to challenge and extend existing knowledge, within
the limits of the critical bounding assumptions. The theoretical framework
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is the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study. The
theoretical framework introduces and describes the theory which explains
why the research problem under study exists.

 Should be used when the variables have been studied before and have
been found to be related to one another.
 You either have a theory that explains the actions of your variables or a
proposed explanation given by another author who have done similar
studies on the same variables.
 This framework can either support or refute the results of your study.
 This section presents the outline that serves as basis of the study.
 Limit to 1-3 theories only unless there are more variables.

 DESCRIPTIVE THEORY-Thoroughly describes a phenomenon.

 GRAND THEORIES (macrotheories)-Attempt to describe large
segments of the human experience.
 MIDDLE -RANGE THEORIES-Are more specific to certain
phenomena.
 GROUNDED THEORIES-Date driven explanations to account for
phenomena under study through inductive process.
 Non- nursing models used by nurse researchers are referred to as
BORROWED THEORIES; when the appropriateness of borrowed
theories for nursing inquiry is confirmed, the theory become SHARED
THEORIES.

Developing the Framework

Here are some strategies to develop of an effective theoretical framework:

1. Examine your thesis title and research problem. The research problem
anchors your entire study and forms the basis from which you construct
your theoretical framework.
2. Brainstorm on what you consider to be the key variables in your research.
Answer the question, what factors contribute to the presumed effect?
3. Review related literature to find answers to your research question.
4. List the constructs and variables that might be relevant to your study.
Group these variables into independent and dependent categories.
5. Review the key health science theories that are introduced to you in your
course readings and choose the theory or theories that can best explain the
relationships between the key variables in your study [note the Writing
Tip on this page].

6. Discuss the assumptions or propositions of this theory and point out

their relevance to your research.

Tips to draft your theoretical framework:

1. Look for your major variables found in your title
2. Give description of the theory
3. Explain why does it apply to the present study or
to your thesis proposal
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5. Conceptual Framework

A conceptual framework is an analytical tool that is used to get a

comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon. It can be used in
different fields of work and is most commonly used to visually explain the
key concepts or variables and the relationships between them that need to
be studied.

 Sometimes called conceptual model.

 Discusses the different kinds of variables that will be used and the
association, correlations, and/or comparisons between and among the
variables used.

Paradigm- A paradigm is a diagrammatic representation of a conceptual

framework. It depicts in a more vivid way what the conceptual
framework wants to convey.

Example: Conceptual framework by Rheajane Rosales

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Tips to draft your conceptual framework:

1. Use the Input-Process-Output Model for making
your paradigm/conceptual framework.
2. Then narratively explain your framework.
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6. Scope and Delimitation

Guidelines in writing the scope and delimitations.The scope and delimitations

should include the following: (Calderon & Gonzales, 2017)
Scope and Delimitation of the study will basically answer the WHAT, WHERE,
WHO & WHEN of the study.
1. A brief statement of the general purpose of the study.
2. The subject matter and topics studied and discussed.
3. The locale of the study, where the data were gathered or the entity to which
the data belong.
4. The population or universe from which the respondents were selected. This
must be large enough to make generalizations significant.
5. The period of the study. This is the time, either months or years, during which
the data were gathered.

Example:
This study investigates staff nurse’s decisional involvement and its impact to
patient’s satisfaction in government hospitals of region VIII with the end view of
developing a basis for policy redirections. Specifically, nurse’s preferred and actual
decisional involvement in term of unit staffing, quality of professional practice,
professional recruitment, unit governance and leadership, quality of support staff
practice, and collaboration/liaison activities were all examined. Decisional
involvement scale by Havens and Vasey was used to determine the perceived actual
decisional involvement, and preferred decisional involvement of nurses. Meanwhile,
Risser Patient Satisfaction Scale (PSS) was utilized to assess the patient’s satisfaction.
The respondents of the study were nurses and patients in government
hospitals of region 8 with at least 100-bed capacity. Inclusion criteria were set for the
purpose of delimitation. For nurses: minimum of 6 months nursing experience,
worked in their current hospital for at least 6 months, on adult medical- surgical,
obstetric & gynecology units, and in patient critical area and consented to participate
in this study. For patients: on the same unit as the selected nurses, physically and
mentally able to answer the questionnaire, and consented to participate in this study.
Finally the study was conducted in the months of June 2015 to February 2016.

7. Definition Of Terms

Defining the variables

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 Are the central building blocks of quantitative studies.

 Measurable characteristic that varies among subjects
 Research is conducted because this variance occurs!

TYPES OF VARIABLES

1. Independent – presumed cause

 The independent variable is the variable the experimenter

changes or controls and is assumed to have a direct effect
on the dependent variable.
 Examples: gender and educational level.

2. Dependent – presumed effect

 The dependent variable is the variable being tested and

measured in an experiment, and is 'dependent' on the
independent variable.
 Example of a dependent variable is depression symptoms,
which depends on the independent variable (type of
therapy).

DEFINITION OF TERMS

 Important terms used in the study must be defined clearly. Some of the
terms appear in the thesis title, statement of the problem, paradigm of the
study, and in the scope and delimitation.

Guidelines in defining terms:

1. Only terms, words, or phrases which have special or unique meaning

in the study are defined.
2. Terms should be defined operationally and conceptually.
a. Conceptual definition-when a term is defined using books,
dictionaries, then it is conceptually defined.

Example: Nurses. These are persons who have completed a basic

nursing education program and are licensed in their country or state to
practice professional nursing (Venzon, 2005).

b. Operational definition- when a term is defined based on how it

is used in the study.

Example: In this study, this refers to the staff nurses and nurse
managers who are employed in government hospitals of region VIII
assigned in Medical –Surgical, Obstetrics & Gynecology, in patient
critical area assuming the position of staff nurse to chief nurse, who in
collaboration with other members of a health care team, are responsible
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for safety, recovery of acutely or chronically ill individuals, health

promotion and maintenance within families, communities and
populations

3. Definitions should be as brief, clear, and unequivocal as possible.

4. Acronyms should always be spelled out fully especially if it is not
commonly known or if it is used for the first time.
5. Terms that are defined must be ordered alphabetically.

Example of defining term:

Nurses. These are persons who have completed a basic nursing education
program and are licensed in their country or state to practice professional
nursing (Venzon, 2005). In this study, this refers to the staff nurses and
nurse managers who are employed in government hospitals of region VIII
assigned in Medical –Surgical, Obstetrics & Gynecology, in patient critical
area assuming the position of staff nurse to chief nurse, who in
collaboration with other members of a health care team, are responsible
for safety, recovery of acutely or chronically ill individuals, health
promotion and maintenance within families, communities and
populations

ACTIVITY NO. 5
DIRECTION: Define at least 5 important words in your study. Don’t
forget to follow the guidelines in defining terms

1.3 References
Almeida, A.B, Gaerlan, A.A., Manly, N.E. (2016). Research Fundamentals from Concept to
Output. Quezon City, Philippines: Adriana Publishing Co., Inc.

Calderon, J,F., Gonzales, E.C. (2017). Methods of Research and Thesis Writing. Philippines.
V

Cristobal, A., Ed.D, & Cristobal, M. D., Ed.D. (2009). Guidebook in research Writing;
Preparing the Nursing Thesis Proposal. Quezon City, Philippines: C&E Publishing.

Health science. (n.d.). Retrieved June 29, 2020, from

https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/health_science.htm.
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Heinrich, A. (2017, March 22). 15 Educational Search Engines College Students Should
Know About. Retrieved July 03, 2020, from https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-
experience/college-life/15-educational-search-engines/

Greenhalgh, Trisha. How to Read a Paper: the Basics of Evidence Based

Medicine. London: BMJ, 2000.
Glover, Jan; Izzo, David; Odato, Karen & Lei Wang. EBM Pyramid.
Dartmouth University/Yale University. 2006.

Institute of Medicine (US) Division of Health Care Services. (1983, January 01). Nursing
Research: Definitions and Directions. Retrieved August 14, 2020, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218540/

LibGuides: Evidence-Based Practice for Health Professionals: What is EBP? (n.d.). Retrieved
July 02, 2020, from https://libguides.nvcc.edu/c.php?g=361218

Mcleod, S. (1970, January 01). What are Independent and Dependent Variables?:
Simply Psychology. Retrieved July 06, 2020, from
https://www.simplypsychology.org/variables.html

(n.d.). Retrieved July 03, 2020, from

http://abacus.bates.edu/~ganderso/biology/resources/writing/HTWcitation
s.html

Peh, W.C., Ng, K.H. (2016). Effective Medical Writing: The write way to get
published. Malaysia. University of Malaysia Press.

Qureshi, F. (2020, May 08). Don't know where to start? 6 Tips on identifying research
gaps. Retrieved July 03, 2020, from https://www.editage.com/insights/dont-
know-where-to-start-6-tips-on-identifying-research-gaps

Research Guides: Organizing Academic Research Papers: Purpose of Guide. (n.d.).

Retrieved July 03, 2020, from https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803
Research Guides: Evidence Based Medicine: Types of Studies. (n.d.). Retrieved July
02, 2020, from https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/ebm/studytypes
Research Guides: Organizing Academic Research Papers: Purpose of Guide. (n.d.).
Retrieved July 03, 2020, from https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803
Spencer, J., & Brush, S. (2019, August 19). Physical science. Retrieved June 29,
2020, from https://www.britannica.com/science/physical-science
Streefkerk, R. (2019, September 23). Primary vs Secondary Sources: Explained with
Easy Examples. Retrieved July 03, 2020, from
https://www.scribbr.com/citing-sources/primary-and-secondary-sources/
"clinical nursing research." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2020. Web. 13 Aug. 2020.
<https://www.definitions.net/definition/clinical+nursing+research>.
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1.4 Acknowledgment
 
The images, tables, figures and information contained in this module were
taken from the references cited above.
 

DISCLAIMER:
Informations found in this learning material are based on the references
gathered by the teachers handling the subject. Information provided in
these learning packet are meant only for student’s general information
and are not suggested as replacement to standard references. Any
inaccurate information, if found, may be communicated to the email
below.
rosalesrheajane@gmail.com