○ Objectively, a researcher is looking at bases in which
Introduction to Nursing Research
What is Research?
● Is a systematic inquiry that uses disciplined methods to
answer questions or solve problems
● The ultimate goals of research are to develop, refine and
expand a body of knowledge (Polit &Beck, 2004)
● “Is the continuing discovery and exploration of the unknown”
(Sanchez, 2002)
● Is diligent, systematic inquiry or investigation to validate and
refine existing knowledge and generate new knowledge
(Burns & Grove, 1997)
● Is a systematic investigation of new facts leading to the
discovery of new ideas (Parel, Caldito, & Ferrer, 1973)
● Is a systematic, critical and self-critical inquiry which aims to
contribute toward the advancement of knowledge and
wisdom (Coleman & Briggs, 2002)
● The careful, unbiased investigation of a problem, as far as
possible, upon demonstrate facts and involving refined
distinctions, interpretations, and usually some generalizations
(Charters & Good, 1945)
● Refined technique of thinking, employing specialized tools,
instruments, and procedures in order to obtain a more
adequate solution to a problem that would be possible under
ordinary means (Alcantara & Espina, 1995)
Nursing Research
● Is a systematic search for and validation of knowledge
about different issues important to the nursing profession
(Polit & Hungler, 1999)
Characteristics of Nursing Research
● The above mentioned definitions of research according to the
experts can lead us to the common characteristics of nursing
research:
1. Systematic
○ There is a system that must be followed in conducting
research, as there is a system for making each chapter.
○ There is a big (macro) system and under this are little
(micro) systems.
○ In thesis writing, what is referred to as ‘’the system’’ is
the process of formulating the chapters and the
elements of each.
○ The macro system is the composition of chapters so
that they are organized in a logical and scientific
manner
○ The micro system is the formulation of the detailed
contents of each chapter
○ The contents are further divided into element
○ The making of each element likewise follows a
systematic procedure
2. Objective
○ Research is an objective process of analyzing
phenomena of importance to any of the different
professional and academic fields of disciplines
(Nieswiadomy, 2004).
the work is founded.
○ He must never produce results out of nowhere; the
results after being determined should be verified and
validated.
○ These results must never be based on biases nor out of
respect for any personality or organization.
○ It is very important for the researcher to clarify
indicators and boundaries within which the study is
confined because these are factors that could affect its
objectivity.
3. Feasible
○ In the nursing profession, any problem, extraordinary
in nature (phenomenon), that directly or indirectly
affects the profession, is a feasible problem of study.
○ In settings like the community, school, workplace and
the hospital or clinic, unusual phenomena happen and
turn into potential problems.
4. Empirical
○ There should be adequate evidence discussing the
different variables used in the study.
○ The researcher must have evidence for the details
appearing in his/her paper.
○ Referencing of facts and information that the
researcher has gathered in his/her paper must not be
forgotten.
○ All sources should be properly cited. Through proper
citation, the researcher is stating that the knowledge
being shared came from other experts.
○ Plagiarism constitutes claiming an idea another
person’s intellectual property-as one’s own.
5. Clear
○ The choice of variables used in the study should be
explained by the researcher.
○ This can be done by enriching the review of literature
or by discussing the different theories on which the
selection of variables were based.
○ There must be sufficient indicators for each variable.
○ These indicators must be gathered from different
published and unpublished materials.
○ When located, these materials must be properly
referenced in the manuscript.
Types of Nursing Research
● Basic or Pure research
● Applied research
Purposes of Nursing Research
● Provides scientific basis for the practices or methodologies
used in nursing care management
● Is undertaken for the continuous development of and
further productivity in health care
● Develops tools for assessing the effectiveness of nursing
interventions
● Provides solutions to problems concerning health
maintenance, health delivery and health care
● Develops and evaluates alternative approaches to nursing
education that enable the student to gain broader knowledge
and specialized skills for safe care
 ● Advances the professional and personal qualifications of a
nursing practitioner Thesis Writing
Goals in Conducting Nursing Research Research Title

1. To produce evidence-based nursing practice Generally, the title:

2. To establish credibility in the nursing profession 1. Should summarize the main idea of the paper.
3. To observe accountability in nursing practice 2. Should be a concise statement about the main topic.
4. To promote cost effectiveness through documentation of 3. Must include the major variable/s.
nursing care 4. Should show the relationships among the main variables
under study.
Roles of Nurses in Research 5. Must be self-explanatory.
Also, the researcher must be reminded that:
● By Nieświadomy & Bailey (2018) 6. In formulating the title, the researcher should avoid using
1. Principal investigator words that serve no useful purposes and can mislead
2. Member of a research team indexers. The words methods, results, investigations should
3. Identifier of researchable problems not appear in the title.
4. Evaluator of research findings 7. In many cases, the specific questions that the research intends
5. User of research findings to answer, when rewritten in a statement form, can serve as
6. Patient/client advocate during the study the title.
7. Subject/respondent/participant 8. Likewise, the general problem can serve as the thesis title.
9. The title must have 10 to 15 words.
Four (4) Competencies in Nursing Research
Sources of Research Problem
CHED MEMORANDUM NO. 14 SERIES OF 2009
● Core Competency 1: ● Problems may exist in any setting where healthcare is
ー Gather data using different methodologies given-in hospitals or clinics, in schools, in the workplace or
○ Indicators: in the community. They can be commonly found in places
一 Identify researchable problems regarding where there is/are:
patient care and community health 1. A feeling of discomfort in the healthcare provider or the
一 Identify appropriate methods of research for a clients;
particular patient or community 2. Perceived difficulty in the management and leadership
一 Combine qualitative and quantitative nursing system;
designs through simple explanations of the 3. Gap between the theory and practice;
phenomenon observed 4. Daily experience of human beings that require further
一 Analyze the data gathered inquiry into, especially if improvements are desired; and
● Core Competency 2: 5. A procedure requiring technologically advanced
ー Recommend actions for Implementation equipment which needs to function properly.
○ Indicators: ● Likewise, a discerned problem is said to be researchable
一 Recommend practical solutions that are when it meets the following criteria:
appropriate to the problem 1. Solutions are available but not yet tested and unknown to
● Core Competency 3: the practitioner.
ー Disseminate results of research findings 2. No solutions are available to fill the gap or the problem
○ Indicators: assessed.
一 Communicate results of findings to colleagues, 3. When answers, solutions as well as possible results that
patients, family and other have been given are seemingly not tested or are factually
一 Endeavor to publish research contradictory.
一 Submit research findings to own agencies and 4. A phenomenon exists and requires explanation.
others as appropriate 5. There are several possible and plausible explanations for
● Core Competency 4: the existence of an undesirable condition.
ー Apply research findings in nursing practice ● The experience of an individual, nurse, doctor or any other
○ Indicators: health practitioner is the richest source of research problems.
一 Utilize research findings in the provision of ● E.g. A nurse who has a parent suffering from renal failure can
nursing care to individual, groups, and lead him/ her to study about that subject. A student nurse in
communities the hospital, community, or in school who is experiencing
一 Make use of evidence-based nursing to difficulty in adjusting to schedules, complying with tedious
ameliorate nursing practice requirements, or dealing with an instructor who adheres to
traditional teaching methods may be led to conduct a study
which can be useful to his/her present situation. A student
who belongs to a family with diabetes can conduct research
on the common causes and effects of diabetes mellitus.
● Any experience a person has, especially that which affects
his/her personal life, and efficiency with which he/she
discharge of his/her duties is a feasible problem to research
on.
● Any medical pattern or trend is another source of a problem.
A student assigned to a pediatric ward who encounters the
same case again and again may be motivated to conduct a
study on the case. For example, in a week of apprenticeship
in the pediatric ward, a student nurse notices that each day,
three children of almost the same age are brought to the
hospital because of diarrhea. This observation can generate a
possible research problem.
● The increase in hospital admission and death rate of residents
in a community due to a dengue outbreak can be a focus of
research studies. So is the issue of newborn screening in
metro manila hospitals.
● Literature reviews and previous researches can also be rich
sources of problems for research. These readings can lead a
student to a topic and its scope and clues for further studies.
The repetition of a prior research study in a different setting
and time is called REPLICATION. Implementing a change
in variables – adding more significant variables or removing
less significant ones, changing the respondents, and revising
and improving its scope and delimitation – can make a study
invaluable even if the research problem is not original. While
a replication study is allowed, conducting research on a novel
case or problem is of greater merit.
● A research problem can also be sourced from the interests of
a researcher. A researcher may become more zealous and
determined in finishing a study if it involves a topic which is
of interest to him/her. For example, students who devote
much time in computers can conduct a study of the role of
computers in improving the quality of healthcare services in
hospitals. Similarly, they can look into how the efficiency of
computerized laboratory examinations affect the quality of
healthcare services and rate of recovery of patients.
Considerations in Formulating a Research Problem
● Barrientos-tan (1997) cited the following criteria for choosing
a problem for research:
A. External Criteria
1. Novelty – the practical value of the problem due to its
newness to the field of inquiry
2. Availability of Subjects – the existence of people
with the capability and willingness to participate in the
study; the sample of the study participants must be
representative enough to ensure reliability and validity
of results.
3. Administrative Support – sponsorship by a
professional organization or academic institution, to
cover the cost of the study; permission of those
concerned for the participation in the study of staff
members, children, the aged, and the mentally
retarded.
4. Facilities and Equipment – the availability and
adequacy of special equipment and facilities (e.g.,
computers, telephones, etc.) for use in undertaking the
research.
5. Ethical Considerations – avoidance of research
problems that pose unethical demands on the part of
the study participants
B. Internal Criteria
1. Experience, training and professional qualifications
– knowledge and expertise as a result of experience
constitute the researcher’s tools for coping with the
demands of research.
2. Motivation, interest, intellectual curiosity and
perceptiveness of the researcher – the personal
motive behind doing research, as cited by scientists, is
pure curiosity, along with the genuine interest and the
anticipated satisfaction or enjoyment in completing
research tasks.
3. Time factor – studies must be pursued in the given
time frame.
4. Costs and returns – research is an expensive
undertaking. The amount of funding needed, of course,
depends on the size of the example, the place where
research is to be conducted and the treatment of data,
as well as the research design.
5. Hazzard, penalties and handicaps – depends upon
his/her physical and intellectual capacity and moral
judgement.
● The identified problem must of course be significant to
nursing. The degree course, or major of the student must be
the primary consideration in the final selection of the
problem. A study conducted by a nursing student must, of
course, be relevant to him and to the nursing course.
● A student must choose a research problem that he can
manage, i.e., he/she must know whether he/she has the
necessary skills to pursue the study. Undergraduate students
must avoid problems that are too complicated for them to
handle, in the same way that graduate students must choose
topics that suit their level. There are problems that require the
technical expertise of a nurse, doctor or any other healthcare
practitioner. Students must, therefore, focus on problems that
are simpler yet beneficial to nursing practice. The feasibility
of a research study is a very important consideration. The
time needed to conduct the study must be measured and its
setting defined and located. Their searcher must have ready
access to the subjects he/she intends to study. The entire cost
of the study must be estimated – travel expenses when
meeting with respondents, purchase of instruments to be
used, expenses incurred in encoding the results, etc.
● External support is also an essential element to look at in
determining whether a search is feasible or not. Is the
instructor or adviser available for inquiry when conflicts arise
in the conduct of research? Are professionals in the field
accommodating–do they lend a hand when asked for
technical assistance in finishing the paper?
● The newness and freshness of the topic must also be assessed.
A view of literature and studies ensures that there are no
solutions yet to the proposed problem, thus the need to pursue
the study.
● It is rudimentary that you understand the significance of
essential questions in your research endeavor. In the
assignment, you are provided with links to help you better
understand what Essential Questions are, as well as examples
of essential questions using the TIRE format, Topic, Issue,
Research Question and Essential Questions.

Chapter 4: The Introduction
● The first chapter of nursing research is entitled “The
Problem” or “The Problem and Its Background.” Its purpose
is to introduce the problem, clarify important variables,
identify delimitations, and present the significance of the
study to the nursing field. It has the following essential
elements:
1. Introduction
2. Statement of the problem
3. Scope and delimitation
4. Significance of the study
5. Notes in Chapter 1
ー Note: The researcher has to introduce the different
elements of Chapter 1 by giving a brief description of each
element, for the reader to know what to expect of the
chapter
● The introduction is very important in establishing the
cognitive setting of the research and involves (a)
RATIONALIZING why there is a need to research on the
problem, (b) clarifying the important terminologies for the
reader to easily understand what the research is about and (c)
establishing the degree of seriousness of the problem which
prompt a researcher to look for solutions
● The following questions aid the researcher in formulating the
introduction:
1. What is the rationale of the problem? This question is
answered by sharing with the beneficiaries the reasons why
the researcher has been persuaded to look for solutions to the
problem. A narration of the researcher’s experience that led
him to conduct the study is commonly done.
ー Examples: Personal experience, an article read, a scene
witnessed, a news heard, a theory that needs to be
clarified, etc.
ー The proponent should describe the existing and prevailing
problem situation based on this experience. The scope may
be local, national or international.
2. What is the setting of the problem? The setting forms part of
the delimitation of the study, as it defines the geographic
boundaries of the study and implies certain demographic
characteristics. This describes to the reader the place where
the research was conducted, as the setting has a significant
bearing on the variables being studied.
3. What is the basic literature foundation of the study? This is
different from the review of the related theories, conceptual
literature and research literature. This part purports to provide
the researcher clarity of the terms or variables used in the
study. The terms and variables must first be clear to the
researcher so that he/she can make his/her reader understand
them. A backgrounder assists the investigator in determining
boundaries of the study. This part is derived from different
literature sources. The use of various references is highly
recommended in this part of chapter 1
4. How serious is the chosen research problem? Why is there a
need to look for a solution to the problem? In this aspect, the
investigator is tasked to see the intensity and magnitude of
the problem. When the gravity of the problem has been seen
already, the investigator may take action to work on the
problem. Mostly, the researcher in this element looks for
statistical or quantitative evidence to assess the weight of the
problem.
5. What is the overall purpose of the problem? It is very
significant to note that the researcher must be totally aware of
the purpose of the research problem. He/show must ask how
it will help his/her colleagues or in this case, fellow students,
or the entire nursing field.
Chapter 5: Statement of the Problem
● After the investigator has clarified the rationale, identified the
degree of seriousness of the problem, and the
PRELIMINARY literature review and overall objective, the
formulation of the heart of the thesis- the statement of the
general and the specific problems-must be done.
● The opening paragraph of this section which contains the
general problem of the thesis. The following are examples of
a general problem:
1. This study is about the relationship between the level of
performance of clinical instructors and the efficiency of
nursing students in the operating ward of the Bataan
General Hospital.
2. This study focuses on the effects Thai massage on the
recovery of nurses from back pain in selected hospitals in
Region 3.
3. This study aims to determine the knowledge in proper
breastfeeding practices of primigravidas in Balanga City,
Bataan.
● 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.
● The specific problems must meet the following criteria:
1. They must be in question form.
2. They must define the population and the sample of the
study, the respondents.
3. They must identify the variables being studied.
4. They must be empirically testable
● There are two general types of questions in nursing research.
These are the non-researchable and researchable questions.
● Non-researchable questions are questions of value. These are
questions answerable by yes or no.
Examples:
1. Should all mothers breastfeed their babies?
2. Should all clinical instructors be watchful over their
nursing students?
3. Should nursing colleges force their graduates to enroll in
review classes before taking the nursing licensure
examinations?
4. Are all clinical instructors (Cis) master’s degree holders?
5. Do family members help their diabetic patients recover?
6. Do patients rest well in Intensive Care Units (ICUs)?
● Researchable questions — are questions of value, opinion,
or policy raised to accumulate data. Formulating a clear,
significant question prepares the researcher for subsequent
decision making over research design, data collection and
data analysis. The basic form of a research question involves
the use of question words such as who, what, where, when,
why, and how.

Types of Research Questions
● Factor-isolating Questions (“What is this?”). They are
sometimes called factornaming questions. They isolate,
categorize, describe or name factors and situations.
A. What is the demographic profile of head nurses in terms
of:
1. age;
2. gender; and
3. length of employment as head nurse?
B. How will their subordinates describe the managerial skills
of head nurses in the following dimensions?
1. conceptual;
2. human; and
3. technical?
C. What are the common causes of the dengue fever outbreak
in Capunitan, Orion, Bataan?
1. environmental;
2. social activities; and
3. psychological aspects?
D. How do the deans and faculty of the college of nursing
assess the administrator’s practices regarding:
1. recruitment and selection of faculty;
2. retention of faculty;
3. supervision of faculty;
4. evaluation of faculty performance; and
5. faculty development?
(by: Salvador,2005)
E. How competent is the nursing coordinator’s competence in
curriculum delivery as assessed by:
1. level 3 and 4 students;
2. Clinical instructions; and
3. Nursing coordinators?
(by: Lazaro,2005)
● Factor-relating questions (“What is happening here?”). Their
goal is to determine the relationship among factors that have
been identified.
A. What is the relationship of the performance of clinical
instructions to the RLE performance of their nursing
students in APCAS?
B. How is the knowledge in herbal medicines of the residents
of Jacoba Ville, Tuyo, Balanga City associated with their
patronage or consumption of generic drugs?
C. How does their environment affect the recovery of
pediatric patients in Bataan General Hospital?
D. What are the significant differences in the assessment of
deans and faculty of the administration's practices
regarding?
1. recruitment and selection of faculty;
2. retention of faculty;
3. supervision of faculty;
4. evaluation of faculty performance; and
5. faculty development?
E. What are the significant differences in the assessment of
the nursing coordinator’s competencies in curriculum
delivery by Level 3 and students, clinical instructors, and
nursing coordinators in selected colleges of nursing in the
City of Manila?
● Situation-relating questions (“What will happen if…?”)
These questions usually yield hypothesis-testing or
experimental study designs in which the researcher
manipulates the variables to see what will happen.
A. What are the effects of traditional methods of teaching
RLE to the RLE performance of nursing students?
B. How do the pain management procedures applied in the
emergency room by the nursing students affect the level of
pain
C. What is the difference between the degrees of assistance
discharged by male and female nursing students in the
operating room of the Bataan General Hospital?
● Situations-producing questions. (“How can I make it
happen?”) These questions establish explicit goals for nursing
actions, develop plans or prescriptions to achieve goals, and
specify the conditions under which these goals will be
accomplished.
A. How can nursing services be organized to promote job
satisfaction?
B. What program must be proposed to hinder the growth of
nosocomial bacteria in selected hospitals in Bataan?
C. What measures must be implemented to raise the passing
rate of the nursing licensure examinations?
D. What policy must be formulated to manage outpatients
effectively?
E. What part of the present curriculum should be enhanced or
improved?
Chapter 6: Scope and Delimitation and
Significance of the Study
Scope and Delimitation
● The scope of the Study is determined by the major variables
of the study while the sub-variables and their characteristics,
attributes and indicators serve as the delimitation. It is also
beneficial to mention the locale or setting of the research and
when the data would be gathered.
● A variable is any factor or property that a researcher
measures, controls and/or manipulates. It may be a
CONCEPT or a CONSTRUCT. A concept can be defined by
a dictionary and commonly used by an educator (e.g. age,
civil status, academic degree, weight, height, etc.). A
researcher may come up with a new variable by combining
two concepts. However, he must expertly defend or
rationalize the combination, after which a construct may be
formulated. A construct usually combines two concepts. Its
definition is usually not found in dictionaries (e.g. level of
performance, level of awareness, nature of environment, rate
of recovery, educational attainment, sociological factors)
● Kinds of Variables
A. Variable according to the numbered categories
1. Categorical variables – represent unordered categories,
groups, or classes e.g. multiple intelligence, learning
styles, civil status, leadership styles
2. Dichotomous variables – represent only two categories
e.g. left and right, male and female, personal and
online
3. Polychotomous variable – have more than two
categories e.g. educational attainment, economic class,
 religion, political affiliation, severity of the disease, country, the government, the community, or to the institution,
Likert scale the agency concerned, the curriculum planners and developer,
4. Continuous variable – take on any range of values e.g. and to the researchers (actual and future).
height, weight, speed, glucose level, temperature ● This section describes the contribution of the study to the
B. Variables used in an experiment existing body of knowledge. This could be in the form of new
1. Independent variables – the cause variable, the reasons knowledge in the field, a check on the major findings of other
for the changes in the dependent variables. studies, a check on the validity of finding in a different
2. Dependent variables – variables that are affected by population, a check on trends over time and a check on other
the cause findings using different methodologies.
C. Variables according to the nature ● The researcher has to identify his direct beneficiaries, or the
1. Concrete variables – variables that can be perceived person, group of persons, and organizations that will benefit
through the senses e.g. height, skin color, taste, sound from the results of the study. In the identification of the
2. Abstract variables – variables of quality e.g. beneficiaries, the researcher is advised to be specific in
knowledge level, perception level, level of awareness, mentioning them. The specific benefits must also be
recovery rate enumerated and explained if there is a need to do so. It is also
D. Variables according to the number being studied important that in enumerating the beneficiaries of the result
1. Univariate variable – one variable being studied of the study, they have to be arranged according to the degree
2. Bivariate variable – two variables being studied of significance to them.
3. Polyvariate variable – more than two variables being Reference: Cristobal, A. & Cristobal, M.C., (2009). Guide in research
studied writing: Preparing the nursing thesis proposal. C & E Publishing, Inc.
● Example of Scope and Delimitation of the Study
A. The study is focuses on the levels of performance of
operating room nurses in selected government and private
hospitals in Cabanatuan City. Performance of staff nurses
is divided into three areas, namely: (1) patient care
management, which includes assessment, planning,
intervention, evaluation, and endorsement; (2) unit
management; and professional and service commitment.
This study will be undertaken during the first semester of
schoolyear 2020 – 2021.
B. This study is focused on the level of satisfaction of
patients receiving prenatal services in three selected
barangays in Cordova, Cebu namely; Poblacion, Catarman
and Alegria, who will undergo prenatal check-ups from
December 2020 to February 2021. The level of satisfaction
of patients is measured in three areas which include
Personnel, Prenatal Services and Resources. The study
will be undertaken during the during the first semester and
will continue until the second semester of schoolyear 2020
– 2021
● Delimitation versus Limitation
ー Delimitations aim to narrow the scope of a study. For
example, the scope may focus on specific variables,
specific participants, specific sites, or narrowed to one
type of research design (e.g., ethnography or experimental
research).
ー Limitations, however, aim to identify potential
weaknesses of the study. For example, all statistical
procedures and research strategies, such as surveys or
grounded theory studies have limitations. In introductory
discussions about these strategies, authors typically
mention both their strengths and their weaknesses.

Significance of the Study

● Research is a very noble undertaking if it promises to make

significant contributions to the welfare of a person or a group
of persons, the community, or to an academic field or
discipline, and in our case, the nursing profession (or health
care providers in general). The significance of the study must
also discuss the importance of the study to society, the