By: Joan O.

Ranada, RN, MAN

Definition of Nursing Research
Research is defined as a formal, systematic, rigorous
and intensive process used for solutions to nursing
problems or to discover and interpret new facts and
trends in clinical practice nursing education or
nursing administration.
Nature of Nursing Research
A scientific study or investigation
Is a systematic collection and analysis of data to
illuminate, describe or explain new facts and
relationships.
It is an attempt to find solutions to problems
A collection of data in a controlled situation for
purposes of “prediction or explanation” hence
research is concerned with the “whole of nursing”
(Treece and Treece)
Scope of Nursing Research
Research in nursing requires a broader study of:
Nursing Profession
Concepts of Nursing
Principles & Policies or Guidelines
Historical
Ethical
Legal & Moral Standards
Duties & Responsibilities of a Nurse & its implication
to client & to society
Importance of Nursing Research
Research is important in providing relevant, reliable
and unbiased answers to questions for better
understanding of what nursing is all about.
 Important Qualities of a
Researcher
Honest & Credible
Accurate in His/Her Data
Organized & Systematic
Logical
Self-Awareness
Imaginative & Curious
Persistent with Barriers
Good Relationship with His/Her Respondents &
Other Researchers
Updated and Informed of Present Ideas & Events.
Historical Background of Research
People’s great curiosity lead them to speculate about
the operation of the universe.
Over the centuries, people began to develop what
seemed to be plausible explanation.
Attributing forces of nature to the working of Gods
with supernatural powers.
Man became observant and personal experience
directed him to scientific inquiry, but are pragmatic &
unsystematic.
1st systematic approach to reasoning attributed to
ARISTOTLE and the Greeks was the deductive
method.
Centuries later, FRANCIS BACON, advocated direct
observation of phenomena, arriving at conclusions or
generalizations through evidence of many individual
observations, thus gave birth to inductive reasoning.
In 1938, John Dewey suggested a pattern that is helpful
in identifying elements of deductive inductive process
 Deductive Inductive Process by
Dewey
Identification and definition of Problem
Formulation of Hypothesis
Collection, organization & analysis of data
Formulation of Conclusions
Verification, rejection or modification of hypothesis
by the test of its consequences in a specific situation.
 History of Nursing Research
Florence Nightingale started research in nursing
which inspired other nurse theorists
Late 1800’s- Nightingale is known to have kept patients’
records
20th Century- advances were made in technology and
medical research
1950’s- 1960’s- research was increasingly recognized as
important.
1970’s & 1980’s- focused on clinical research, publications
were made e.g. nursing journals.
1990’s up to present-nursing continued to expand.
numbers of graduates from master’s & doctoral programs
 Ethics in Research
Human beings as subject entails protection of their
rights against undue impositions.
Ethical guidelines are developed consistent with rules
and norms of human behavior based on Christian
Morality and Ethics
Code of Ethics for Researchers of the
University of Santo Tomas states that:
“the professional conduct and relations of the
researcher shall be based on respect for human right
and dignity, honor and justice, truthfulness, freedom,
solidarity and personal integrity.”
 Informed Consent
Participants must be fully informed about the nature
of research, its purposes, and potential risks and
benefits.
Ethical Principles and Guidelines for Nurse
Researchers (Polit and Beck, 2004)
Informed Consent
Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Freedom from any Physical and Psychological Harm
Freedom from exploitation
Respect for Human Dignity
- Right to Self Determination
-Right to Full Disclosure
-Anonymity and Confidentiality
Justice and Fairness
Overview of the Research Process
Involves 5 basic phases in conducting research:
Assessment
Diagnosis
Planning
Implementing
Evaluation
 Assessment Phase
Investigators select a topic & identifies problems,
formulates proposal, reviews literature, concerning
the project and defines concept and variables.
 Diagnosis Phase
Investigator states hypothesis, examines possible
ethical implications of research proposal and reviews
pertinent literature and identifies theory, assumptions
and limitations of proposal.
 Planning Phase
Investigator describes research design and methods
including sampling, data collection, instruments to be
used and method of analysis, obtains informed
consent from subjects to be studied in pilot study,
conducts study, revises proposals in light of findings,
and plans how to communicate findings.
 Implementing Phase
Researcher collects data from subjects
 Evaluation Phase
Investigator performs analyses and interpretation of
data collected from the target population and
communicates the findings as per plan made in
planning phase.
Classification of Research on basis
of Purpose
Basic
Applied
Action
 Basic Research
Pure, theoretical or fundamental research.
Formal & systematic process of deductive-inductive
analysis leading to development of theories.
Usually carried on in a laboratory situation
sometimes with animals as subjects.
 Applied Research
Researcher scientifically collects data to be used in
clinical, administrative or instructional area to find
solution to the problem and evaluate practices and
identifies the needs of client.
 Action Research
Another form of applied research.
Focused on immediate application
Classification of Research on Basis
of Approaches
Experimental Approach
Nonexperimental Approach
Variables
Independent variable- are the conditions that the
researcher manipulates in his attempt to ascertain
their relationship to observed phenomena.
Dependent variable- are conditions that appear,
disappear or change as the researcher introduces,
removes, or changes independent variable
Level of Awareness on Expanded Program on
Immunization Among Mothers
Experimental Research
One in which the researcher makes changes in
independent variables and studies their effects on
dependent variables under controlled conditions
Types of Experimental Approach
Laboratory Experiments
Field experiments
Field studies- a) Exploratory b) Hypothesis testing
Nonexperimental Approach
The researcher simply measures the present level of
independent variable.
Types of Nonexperimental
approach
Philosophical
Historical
Case Studies
Methodological
-Measurements
-Statistical procedures
-Obtaining and analyzing data
Survey
-Exploratory
-Descriptive
-Explanatory
-Comprehensive
-Evaluative
 Contents of a Thesis
Chapter I
PROBLEM: BACKGROUND & RATIONALE
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Theoretical Framework-Conceptual Paradigm
Assumptions
Hypothesis
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitations
Definition of Terms
Chapter II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Local Literature
Foreign Literature
Local Studies
Foreign Studies
Significance and Implications of the Review to the
Current Research
Chapter III
METHODOLOGY AND RESEARCH DESIGN
Research Method
Sampling Design
Subjects, Setting
Research Instruments
Data Collection Procedure
Statistical Treatment of Data
Chapter IV
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Problem 1
Problem 2
Problem 3
 Chapter V
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary of Findings
Conclusion
Recommendations
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
Unpublished materials
Journals
Handouts/Pamphlets/Brochures
APPENDICES
Letters of Transmittal
Timetable of Activities
Questionnaires
CURRICULUM VITAE