INTRODUCTION TO

NURSING RESEARCH

By
DR.K.LATHA
PROF & HOD – DEPARTMENT OF NURSING RESEARCH
NARAYAN NURSING COLLEGE,
GOPAL NARAYAN SINGH UNIVERSITY
KEY TERMS

• Research : Diligent , systematic enquiry

• Basic research :Scientific investigations for the pursuit of knowledge sake

• Nursing research : Scientific process that validate and refines existing

knowledge and generate new knowledge related to nursing practices

• Knowledge : Information that is acquired in a variety of ways is expected

to be an accurate reflection of reality
NEED FOR RESEARCH IN NURSING

Nursing research is needed to discover , verify , structure & restructure

the professional knowledge

The main need are

1. To build body of nursing knowledge

2. To Validate the improvements in nursing

3. To Make the health care efficient as well as cost effective

 NEED FOR RESEARCH IN NURSING
Following are the needs for nursing Research

• Moulding the attitudes and intellectual competencies and technical skills

• Fill the gaps in the knowledge and practice
• Foster a commitment accountability to clientele
• Provide basis for professionalism
• Provide basis for professional accountability
• Identifying the role of nurse in changing society
NEED FOR RESEARCH IN NURSING

• Discover new measures for nurturing Nursing practice

• Help the administrators in making prompt decisions to related

problems

• Help to improve the standards in nursing education

• Returning the existing theories and discovering new theories

NEED AND PURPOSES – RESEARCH IN NURSING OVERALL

• To discover general principles of human behaviour to solve problems in nursing practice

• To achieve varying level of explanation

• To identify, describe, explore, explain and predict and to exert control over the existing
health problem situation

• To link research findings with evidence based practice

• To develop and rigorously test a new method of measuring patient outcomes

• To help nurses make evidence base treatment decisions

PURPOSES

Description

Exploration

Explanation

Prediction & control

IMPORTANCE OF NURSING RESARCH

• To improve nursing standards

• To improve nursing education system

• Too help nurses investigate more carefully related to nursing diagnoses and
other problems

• To help nursing staffs to gain in depth information related to various topics

• To help nurses to investigate regarding various methods of treatment in

advanced form
IMPORTANCE OF NURSING RESARCH

• To enquiry regarding newer methods to deal with the patients

• To provide quality care to the patient

• T0 invent new techniques to care the patients

• To provide cost effective patient care

• To save nursing profession legally

IMPORTANCE OF NURSING RESARCH

• To develop an improve nursing standards

• To update new information's

• To become dynamic

• To improve the health of community people

• To solve daily obstacles

• To update information on various field where the nurses are involved

MEANING OF RESEARCH

• Word research – derived from the French word “ RECHERCHE” means

“To go about seeking”

• The earliest recorded use of the term was in 1577
RE- SEARCH
“RE” “SEARCH ”
• The prefix “Re“ means again “Search” – finding out
and signifies replication of the something new
search
• One seeks new knowledge or to
directly utilise the knowledge
specific to life situations

Re – search ------------ Re – Again & Again

RESEARCH

WHAT IS RESEARCH ?
RESEARCH
WHAT IS RESEARCH ?

• Search for knowledge

• Finding a solution to a problem
• It is an art of scientific investigation
REDMAN & AVH MORY

• Research is a systematized effort to gain

new knowledge
WEBSTERS NEW INTERNATIONAL
DICTIONARY
• Research is a careful inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles

• A diligent investigations to ascertain something.

• Research essentially is a problem solving process , a systematic intensive study

directed towards scientific knowledge of the subject studied

• Research is process systematically searches for new facts and relationships

CC CRAW FORD

• Research is considered to be the formal systematic intensive process

of carrying on the scientific methods of analysis.

• It involves a more systematic structure of investigations, usually

resulting in some sort of formal record of procedures and a report of
results or conclusions
DEFINITIONS – RESEARCH

Research is a studious inquiry or examination , investigation, or

experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of
facts , revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new
facts or practical applications of such new or revised theories or
laws

WEBSTER - 1971
DEFINITIONS – RESEARCH

“Research is an attempt to gain solutions to problems.

It is the collection of data in a rigorously controlled
situation for the purpose of prediction or explanation”

TREECE AND TREECE )1973)

DEFINITION - NURSING RESEARCH

• Systematic inquiry designed to develop knowledge

about issues of importance to the nursing profession,
including nursing practice , education, administration
and informatics.

POLIT AND BECK (2004)

DEFINITION - NURSING RESEARCH

Its is a scientific process that validates and refines existing

knowledge and generates new knowledge that directly and

indirectly influences clinical nursing practice

BURNS AND GROVE (2005)

SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE
• Customs and traditions – “We have always done it that way

• Assembled information – (Eg – Quality improvement data )

• Scientific research – the most objective and the source of nursing knowledge

• Trial and error – “If it works , we’ll use it “

• Logical reasoning - (Inductive & Deductive)

• Experts or authorities
WHAT IS SCIENTIFIC METHODS

• Scientific methods are defined as controlled,

systematic investigations that are rooted in objective
reality and that aim to develop general knowledge
about natural phenomena
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Orderly Fashion

Control

Empiricism

Generalization

Theory
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• Orderly Fashion- Research should be conducted in an orderly manner

of all scientific steps.

• Control – In a scientific research all external factors and extraneous

variables needs to be controlled to get the actual result without bias.

• Empiricism – In all scientific research, Data should be gathered in

reality.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• Generalization – Scientific method involves new knowledge

which can be applied generally, not as isolated cases.

• Theory – Scientific methods provide new knowledge

through various investigations which will develop theories
and will enable to test theories.
TYPES OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD

BASIC RESEARCH

To extend the base of knowledge in a discipline or to refine a

theory.
Eg – How alcohol consumption affects brain,
Is men or women suffer depression

APPLIED RESEARCH
• Focuses on finding solution to existing problems.
Eg – Applied research to build skill gaps in workplace.
TYPES OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD

IDENTIFICATION RESEARCH
• To study a phenomenon about which a little is known.
Eg – How online education affects students learning

DESCRIPTION RESEARCH
• Focuses on prevalence, incidence, size, and measurable
attributes of a phenomenon.
Eg- Number of people suferring with diabetes mellitus
TYPES OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD

EXPLORATION RESEARCH
To investigate the full nature of a phenomenon in depth.. Which
gives scope for future research
Eg – Impact of COVID on global economy

EXPLANATION RESEARCH

To understand the underpinnings of natural phenomenon & to

explain systematic relationship among phenomena.
Eg- How nursing presence affects health care behavior
TYPES OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD
PREDICTION

• To investigate what will happen if we alter a phenomena or

introduce an intervention.
Eg – Risk of developing health issues in future

CONTROL
• To understand how can we make the phenomenon happen
or alter its prevalence?
Eg testing a new medicine for cancer
STEPS IN SCIENTIFIC METHODS
Step 1: Define the problem (or Opportunity)
Step 2 : Design the research
Step 3: Design the data collection forms
Step 4 : Specify the sample
Step 5: Collect the data
Step 6: analyse the data
Step 7 : Wite the research report and present its findings
LIMITATIONS OF SCIENTIFIC
METHODS
• Moral and ethical problems

• Human Complexity

• Measurement problems

• External variables control problems

CHARECTERISTICS OF GOOD
RESEARCH
 1. ORDERLY & SYSTEMATIC

• A good research is orderly and is conducted in a

systematic way
• This is the single most important criterion in a a
scientific method
2. BASED ON THE PROFESSIONAL
ISSUES
• The fundamental purpose of any research is resolve any current
issues of a profession

• Therefore a good research must be based on the current

professional issues

• A good research must come up with solutions to professional

concerns
3. BEGIN WITH CLEARLY DEFINED
PURPOSE
• A good research is begun with a clearly stated
purpose
• Only a clearly defined research with clear purpose
can be conducted in an effective manner
4. EMPHASISE TO DEVELOP , REFINE &
EXPAND PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE

• The main aim of any research is to develop the body

of knowledge of a profession or define the existing
knowledge
• Therefore , a good research is directed to wards
expansion of professional body of knowledge
5. DIRECTED TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT
OR TESTING OF THEORIES

• Theory development & testing is a systematic

process of enquiry in any discipline
• Only a good research aims and develops or tests
a theory
 6. PROBLEM SOLVING
• The first and the foremost importance of a good
research is finding a solution to the existing problem
• A good research is directed towards finding an answer
or pertinent solution for the emerging problems
 7. DEDICATED TO DEVELOP
EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE
•The purpose of a good research is to generate
empirical evidences, which can be used to improve the
professional practices
•Therefore a good research strives to develop empirical
evidences
8. STRIVE TO COLLECT FIRST HAND
INFORMATION / DATA

• A good research is conducted by collection

of data directly from subjects by different
methods (Questionnaire, Interviews,
Observation)
 9.OBJECTIVE & LOGICAL IN
PROCESS
• A good and a successful research emphasises on
objective & logical process

• Research conducted through subjective means or in a

haphazard manner will never lead to satisfactory
results
10. GENERATE FINDINGS TO REFINE
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

• A research cannot ne considered successful if it

fails to contribute towards professional practice
• A good research strives to refine the elements of
a profession as per the need of time
 11. USE APPROPRIATE
METHODOLOGY

• A good research is conducted following the

selection of an appropriate methodology
• Unsuitable methodology will result in wrong
findings and contributes to a weak research
 12. CONDUCTED ON A
REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE
• Generalisations of research is possible if the study is
conducted on a sample which has characteristics
similar to the population of the study

• Therefore a good research is conducted on a

representative sample
 13. USES APPROPRIATE METHODS &
TOOLS OF DATA COLLECTEION
• A Good research employs appropriate methods &
tools for the conduct of the study

• Methods & tools of data collection varies depending

on the nature & type of research
 14. USES VALID & RELIABLE DATA
COLLECTION TOOL
• Evidences generated from a research activity can be
only generated valuable if they are generated through
valid & reliable research tools

• A good research utilises a valid & a reliable tool to

collect data from the subjects
 15. CAREFULLY RECORDED &
REPORTED
• In the absence of careful recording & reporting , evidences
generated through a research may be covert in nature

• A good research employs itself to generate quality empirical

evidences & the evidences thus gathered are duly reported
 16. ADEQUATELY ANALYSED &
RESEARCHED
• Any research activity is considered to be poor if it fails
to adequately analyses & researched

• This activity is done using standardised & accepted

methods of data analysis
17. PATIENTLY CARRIED OUT
• Research cannot be carried out in a hurry. It needs a
long-time & patience

• Therefore a patient endurance is the most important

foundation of a good research
 18. RESERACHERS EXPETRSIEE ,
INTEREST, MOTIVATION &
COURAGE
• A good research work largely needs the researchers
expertise , interest , motivation, & courage of
researchers
• In the absence of theses attributes , accomplishment
of a good research cannot be carried out
 19.ADEQUATELY COMMUNICATED

• The new knowledge obtained from a good research remains useless

until and unless it is adequately communicated to its users and stake
holders

• Therefore a good research activity strives to communicate findings as

wisely as possible
 20. IT REQUIRES INNOVATIVE
APPROACH

• Any research done use innovative new

techniques and approaches for gaining new sight
on knowledge
FORMULATING AND DELIMITING
THE PROBLEM
• First Identify an interesting , significant research problem and research
questions. Common sources of research problems are given below.

Examples:

• Substantive issues: is the research question is important?

• Theoretical issues: Is there broader conceptual context to understand

the research problem?
FORMULATING AND DELIMITING
THE PROBLEM
• Clinical issues : Could research findings be useful in clinical
setting?

• Methodological issues: How can this question be studied to

yield evidence ?

• Ethical issues: Can this question be rigorously addressed

without ethical transgressions?