Overview of research process

1. RESEARCH & RESEARCH
PROCESS
Ms.K.Lavanya
MSc (N)- CHN
Associate Professor

2. Sources of Knowledge:
 Ideas generated in many ways.
 For nursing research point of view, the approaches to generating knowledge is
divided into 2 groups as follows:
1. Unstructured- traditions, authority, experience, trial-error, intuition.
2. Structured- induction, deduction, nursing process, Research

3. Scientific Method:
 The scientific method is a systematic step by step procedure
following the logical processes of reasoning. It is
characterized by an intellectual attitude i.e., scientific attitude,
that is one of component of scientific approach.
The Scientific method is based on certain articles of paths these
are:
 Reliance on empirical evidence
 Use of relevant concepts

4. Scientific Method:
Commitment to objectivity
Ethical neutrality
Generalizations
Verifiability
Logical reason of process

5. Problem solving method:
 Problem solving is a systematic approach to the solution or
alleviation of simple, complex, immediate, long term
problems, characterized by sequential execution of the
following observation through the action processes.
Steps Include:
 Identification and definition of the elements composing the
problem and interrelationships among elements.
 Specification of crux of the problem along with theorizing
about relevance of background facts and theories.
 Determination and systematic collection of facts

6. Contd…..
 Analysis and interpretation and synthesis of collected
facts along with previously known facts.
 Proposal and strategic course of action
 Action
 Observation and evaluation of outcome of action

7. Process differences in research and
problem solving
Research
 All elements of scientific inquiry must
be explicitly and precisely described.
 Data is quantitative or quantifiable and
are analyzed with appropriate statistical
procedures.
 Findings are generalizable
 Entails a plan written in sufficient detail
and explicitness that the study may be
replicated and the findings verified.
Problem solving
 The same explicitness and
preciseness, though they may be
utilized are not demanded of
problem solving.
 Detailed statistical analyses are
seldom done.
 Not generalized
 Entails no such requirements

8. Research:

9. DEFINITION:
 Research is an abstraction and selection from an infinite
variety of possible things that one might study
- Gowin and Millman (1969)
 Research is essentially is a problem- solving process, a
systematic, intensive study directed towards full, scientific
knowledge of the subject studied.
-French Ruth M (1968)

10. DEFINITION:
• Research may be defined as the systematic and objective
analysis and recording of controlled observation that may
lead to the development of generalisations, principles,
theories, resulting in prediction and possible ultimate control
of events.
-JW Best

11. Nursing research means

12. What does research do?

13. What does research do?

14. Why do nurses do research?

15. Need and purpose of nursing research
 Develop, refine, and extend the scientific base of knowledge,
which is required for quality nursing care, education, and
administration.
 Enhance the body of professional knowledge in nursing
 Provide foundation for EBN practices
 Help in expansion of knowledge, which is essential component of
any profession.
 Define the parameters of nursing, which will help nurses to
identify boundaries of nursing profession.

16. Need and purpose of nursing research
 Refine and eliminate old knowledge so that it helps in elimination
of nursing actions that have no effect on the achievement of
desired client outcomes.
 Identify nursing care practices that make a difference in health
care status of individuals and are cost effective.
 Enhance accuracy of different nursing educational and
administrative techniques.
 Develop and refine nursing theories and principles.
 Solve the problems or answer the questions related to nursing
practices, nursing education, and nursing administration.

17. Importance and significance of nursing
Research
 Nursing research promotes evidence based practice, ensures credibility of nursing
profession, provides accountability for nursing practices, and enables availability of
cost effective care.
Some of the facts that prove the importance or significance of nursing research are as
follows:
 The development and utilization of nursing knowledge is essential for continued
development in patient care; nurses can develop or refine this knowledge by the
help of nursing research.
 Nurses are increasingly expected to adopt a research based or EBP, using research
findings to guide their decisions, actions, and interactions with patients, patients
family and community. Research is the only way that can provide nurses first hand
experiences on which they can build their EBN practices.

18. Contd…..
 With a fast developing world, nurses are realizing the need to base specific nursing
actions and decisions on evidences indicating that the actions are clinically
appropriate, cost effective, and result in positive patient outcome. This can be
achieved through research conducted in the nursing discipline.
 Rapid advancement in medical science and technology; to keep pace with this
advancement, nurses must conduct research to learn about efficacy of particular
technology in reference to positive outcome.
 To understand the varied dimensions of their profession.
 To study characteristics of particular nursing situation about which little is known,
explain the phenomena that must be considered in planning nursing care, predict
the probable outcome, and initiate activities to promote desired patient behavior.

19. Contd….
 Cost of care is increasing day by day. Therefore, they must find solution for
cost effective care through research.
 Research also helps nurses to eliminate nursing actions that do not
achieve desired outcome for patients. Furthermore, nursing research
findings may help nurses to identify the practices that improve health care
outcome of patients and remain cost effective.
 In a nutshell, research helps to:
Build and expand the body of nursing knowledge
Validate and refine the existing nursing practice
Make health care efficient and cost effective

20. Historical landmarks in nursing research

21. Characteristics of Good Research
Orderly and systemic process
Based on current professional issues
Begin with clearly defined purposes
Emphasize to develop, refine and expand
professional knowledge

22. Contd…..
Directed towards development or testing
theories
Finding solution of a problem
Dedicated to develop empirical evidence
Strive to collect first hand information/data

23. Contd…..
An objective and logical process
Generate findings to refine and improve
professional practices
Use of appropriate methodology
Conducted on representative sample

24. Contd…..
 Conducted through appropriate use of methods and tools of
data collection
 Use of valid and reliable data collection tools
 Carefully recorded and reported
 Adequately and appropriately analyzed research
 Patiently carried out activity
 Researchers expertise, interest, motivation, and courage
 Adequately communicated

25. Qualities of a good researcher
 R- Research oriented
 E- Efficient
 S- Scientific
 E- Effective
 R- Resourceful
 C- Creative
 H- Honest
 E- Economical
 R- Religious

26. Overview of the research process
 The phases and steps in the research project gives an overview of the research process.
Actually there were 5 basic phases involved in conducting research that is assessment
diagnosis planning implementation And evaluation.
 In assessment Phase, the investigators select the topic and identifies a research
problems, formulates the proposal for research project, reviews the literature,
concerning the project and defines the concepts and variable to be studied.
 In diagnosis phase, the investigator states the hypothesis, examines the possible
ethical implications of the research proposal, and reviews pertinent literature and also
identifies the theory, assumptions and limitations of the proposal.
 In planning Phase, the researcher describes the research design and methods of
research including sampling, data collection, instruments to be used and method of
data analysis, obtains informed consent from subjects to be studied in the pilot study,
conducts the study, and revises proposals in the light of findings, and plans how to
communicate findings.
 In implementing phase, the researcher collects data from the subjects.
 In evaluation phase, the investigator performs analyses and interpretation of the data
collected from the target population and communicates the following as per plan made
in the planning phase.

27. In assessment Phase
 Identifying a researchable problem in nursing:
Good research depends to a great degree on good questions,
topics for research are generated in a variety ways.
In many cases a problem which needs solving will present an
immediate topic for the study. In other cases, reading an area of
interest will give rise to yet unanswered questions, other
researchers are having with their own experiences.
Good research reports state the general importance of the study
early in the report and follow this immediately with statement of
the specific problems that was studied.
The topic converted into problem statement which in turn is
refined in several times before a satisfactory working tool is
obtained.

28.  Formulating the research proposal:
The research proposal is a written summary of steps stating what
the investigator intends to do, how or she plans to do it, who or
what comprises the study sample, when and where the study is to
be done, and the time schedule for the study.
The proposal is often written for the approval of the guide or
committee.
The proposal begins with the identification of the problem and
moves step by step through all elements of the planning phase.
It may be rewritten many times for its refinement.
The final writing is usually done after pilot study, when chances
be incorporated in the light of weaknesses and strengths identified
at that time.

29.  Defining the concepts and variables:
An investigator or researcher must define each concept or
variables early in the studies not only to understand what is to be
examined but to communicate this information to others
operational definitions of concepts or variables requiring careful
work, as the describe how the variable under study is to be
observed and measured.
Definitions found in the literature that have already been
developed and tested in research should be used whenever
possible.
At this juncture, researchers should clarify in their own minds,
what the independent and dependent variables are actually in
study.

30. Diagnosis phase:
 Stating objectives or Hypothesis:
Objectives are what the investigator proposes to accomplish in research, i.e., the
specific short term measurable goals to be met.
These objectives should be stated clearly because, at the conclusion of the study, both
the reader and the researcher can determine whether the objectives of the study were
met.
Hypothesis are statements formulated to predict a relationship between two or more
variables.
It is a statement of expectations of a researcher concerning relationships between
variables under investigation.
A problem statement represents the initial effort to give a research project direction,
hypothesis represents a more formulated focus for the collection and interpretation of
data.
The hypothesis must be testable and verifiable.

31.  Examining the ethical implications:
It is wise and advisable to examine the ethical implications of the research.
An ethical study is one of that does not harm the study subjects. All subjects
are carefully informed concerning the following:
i. The purpose of the study
ii. Their part in it
iii. Any possible discomfort
iv. How privacy is guarded?
v. Their right to refuse to participate or to stop participating with out
and
vi. The manner in which data will be used.

32.  Reviewing of the literature:
Review of literature provides familiarity with existing studies, and information is often
indispensable an helping researcher to focus on a particular problem and to formulate
suitable research questions and helps in formulating and delineating the problem.
 Identifying theory, Assumptions and limitations
A theory is a generalized abstract explanation about the interrelationships among
phenomena, with the primary purpose of explaining and predicting those phenomena.
The goal of research is to provide scientific explanations for what is observed and to predict
what will be observed, under given circumstances.
Research articles usually specify the theory or assumptions upon which the study is based.
Limitations are aspects of the research that were not studied.
The investigator may summarise the use of theory, assumptions and limitations as he or she
examines the research literature.
It is good to have conceptual framework or theoretical framework for the study.

33. Planning phase:
 Describing research design:
The research design is the overall plan for how to obtain answers to the question being
studied and how to handle some of the difficulties encountered during the research
process.
Research design will include the experiment, the survey and the documentary (historical)
design.
1. An experiment often examines how a treatment or stimulus (the independent
variable) affects the subject exposed to the treatment (the dependent variable). The
experimental designed describes step by step how the research are selected and how
controls are used.
2. A survey is a research design that uses questionnaires, and interviews. Important
elements of the survey include not only how the subjects are selected but also their
willingness to the ability of the respondents to answer the questions determine the
extent to which the design is successful. The proper development of the tool and
schedule the crucial.

34. 3. The documentary design uses material already in existence, such as public or private
records. Getting access to the material, finding records that are complete and legible, and
discovering whether or not the writers recorded material accurately important.
4. In field studies the research investigates the phenomenon in its natural settings i.e.,
community, hospital or health clinic.

35.  Describing research methods:
Research methods will include the methods of sampling data
collection, and analysis and interpretation.
1. Sampling is the selection of the study subjects from the target
population under study. Appropriate methods must be used to
to apply research findings from a small sample to the population
from which it was drawn.
2. Methods of data collections include observing, questioning and
measuring or a combination of these. Observation is a basic
method of collecting data. When the phenomenon under study
cannot be observed, the researcher asks questions, either
or by using questionnaires.
3. For analysis and interpretation of data usually by using description
and inferential statistics.

36.  Obtaining informed consent from subjects for pilot study
Informed consent is obtained from the subject to be used in the pilot study prior to conducting
study.
Informed consent is the voluntary consent given by the study subjects, after they are fully
of every detail of the proposed research, including the right to participate or not, and to
from the study at any time without penalty.
Informed consent must be obtained from subject in both pilot study and the real study.

37.  Conducting the pilot study:
The pilot study is a small scale dress rehearsal that proceeds as if it were the actual study, except
the fact, that subjects who will participate in the actual study are not used.
The primary objective of the pilot study is the test as many elements of the research proposal as
possible in order to correct any part that does not work properly.
Planning for communicating the findings of research:
In planning phase itself, it is better to plan how to communicate the research findings.
The written report and oral presentation may be first step in reaching a border audience.

38. Implementation Phase:
 Collecting the data:
First step in implementation is to select the sample according to plan.
Second step is to contact the subjects, as well as any agencies involved to explain the study and
obtain their informed consent.
The sampling process is a crucial element of the research design.
It determines from whom or what the data are to be collected, which in turn influences the
method of data analysis that could be used.
The method by which data are collected, which in turn influences the method of data analysis that
could be used.
The method by which data are collected varies by research design.
Once the data collections are completed or stopped for practical reasons, next phase begins.

39. Evaluation phase:
 An evaluation phase involves analysis and interpretation of the data and communicating
findings.
Analysing and interpreting the data:
In this step is to examine raw data for completeness and accuracy.
An incomplete or inaccurately completed questionnaire must be discarded.
Next the raw data must be transferred to a general tally table or worksheet in order to bring
categories of data together.
Tally marks are then counted, and the counts are summarized.
In addition, special purpose tables help to summarise the data.
Rates, ratios, and percentages are used to summarise data such as age, sex, occupation, marital
status or type of illness.
For quantitative data, summary measures mean, median and mode that are used.
These are descriptive summaries and may be used to compare and interpret data from descriptive
or exploratory studies.

40.  Once data summaries and estimates are concluded, the investigator can analyse these in the
light of research proposal including objectives.
 Next, the investigator may make recommendations that are relevant to practice, administration
or education, or he/she may suggest further research.

41. Communicating the findings
 The final step of the research process is the communication of findings of the research
project.
 The research report, either written or oral must communicate all the steps involved in
research project.
 It is usually wise to complete tables and graphs, since these help in the process of
communication.
 The report should be well organized and in enough detail to inform, but at the same time,
it should be succinct.