Understanding Nursing Research Terms Exam 1

Best research evidence

the empirical knowledge generated from the synthesis of quality health studies to address a clinical problem

Case study

an in-depth analysis and systematic description of one pt of group of similar pts to promote the understanding of healthcare interventions, problems, and/or situations

Inductive reasoning

reasoning that moves from the specific to the general; particular instances are observed and then combined into a larger whole or general statement

Deductive reasoning

reasoning that moves from the general to the specific or from a general premise to a particular situation or conclusion; may be a proposition

Proposition

a statement from a theory describing a proposed relationship between two or more concepts

Quantitative research

a formal, objective, systematic research process in which numerical data are used to obtain information about the world

Qualitative research

a systematic subjective approach to research, used to describe life experiences and situations and give them meaning

Mixed methods research

an approach to inquiry that combines quantitative and qualitative research methods in a single study

Outcomes research

research that focuses on examining the results of care and determining the changes in health status for the pt and family

Nursing-sensitive outcome

an individual, family, or community state, behavior, or perception that is measured along a continuum in response to nursing interventions

Description

involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and, sometimes, the relationship among them

Explanation

clarifies the relationship among phenomena and identifies possible reasons why certain event occur

Prediction

an estimation of the probability of a specific outcome in a given situation

Control

the ability to write a prescription to produce the desired results

Systematic review

- a structured, comprehensive synthesis of the research literature to determine the best research evidence available to address a healthcare question

- purpose: to systematically identify, select, and critically appraise, and synthesize research evidence to address a problem/question

- research types: quantitative studies with similar methodology, such as RCTs and meta-analysis

- narrative and statistical

Meta-analysis

- conducted to combine or pool the results from previous quantitative studies into a single statistical analysis that provides strong evidence about an intervention's effectiveness

- purpose: to pool the results of several previous studies using statistical analysis to determine the effect of an intervention or the strength of relationships

- research types: quantitative studies with similar methodology, such as experimental and quasi-experimental studies focused on the effect of an intervention or correlational studies focused on relationships

- statistical

Meta-synthesis

- the systematic complication and integration of qualitative study results to expand understanding and develop a unique interpretation of study findings in a selected area

- purpose: systematic compilation and integration of qualitative studies to expand understanding and develop a unique interpretation of the studies findings in a selected health-related area

- research types: original qualitative studies and summaries of qualitative studies

- narrative

Mixed-methods systematic review

- includes a variety of study designs, such as qualitative research and quasi-experimental, correlational, and/or descriptive studies

- purpose: synthesis of the findings from independent studies conducted with a variety of methods-- quantitative, qualitative, and mixed -- to determine the current knowledge in an area

- research types: variety of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies

- narrative and sometimes statistical

Qualitative research synthesis

the process and production of systematically reviewing and formally integrating the findings from qualitative studies

Critical appraisal of research

the careful examination of all aspects of a study to judge its strengths, limitations, meaning, and significance

Descriptive research

research that is the exploration and description of phenomena in real-life situations

Correlational research

research that involves the systematic investigation of relationships between or among variables

Quasi-experimental research

research that is to examine causal relationships or determine the effect of one variable on another, but has less control over the experiment than an experimental study does

Experimental research

research that is an objective, systematic, and highly controlled investigation conducted for the purpose of predicting and controlling phenomena in nursing practice

Quantitative research process

involves conceptualizing a research project, planning and implementing that project, and communicating the findings

Research problem

an area of concern in which there is a gap in the knowledge needed for nursing practice

Research purpose

is generated from the research problem and identifies the specific focus or goal of the study

Review of relevant literature

conducted by researchers to generate a picture of what is known and not known about a particular problem and to document why a study needs to be conducted

Pilot study

often a smaller version of a proposed study; researchers often conduct these to refine the study sampling process, intervention, or measurement of variables

Data analysis

reduces, organizes, and gives meaning to the data

Interpretation of research outcomes

involves examining the results from data analysis, identifying study limitations, exploring the significance of the findings, forming conclusions, generalizing the findings, considering the implications for nursing, and suggesting further studies

Limitations

restrictions in a study methodology and/or framework that may decrease the credibility and generalizability of the findings

Generalization

the extension of the conclusions made based on the research findings from the sample studied to a larger population

Research report

summarizes the major elements of a study and identifies the contribution of that study to nursing knowledge

Abstract

a clear, concise summary of a study

PICO(T)

a clinical question that includes: population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and sometimes timing

Quantitative research reports

may include citations to relevant sources in all sections of the report

Qualitative research reports

the introduction will be similar to the same section in the quantitative study report because the researchers document the background and significance of the research problem

Primary source

something written by the person who originated or is responsible for generating the ideas published

Secondary source

summarizes or quotes content from primary sources

Relevant studies

studies with a direct bearing on the problem of concern

Current sources

sources that are published within 5 years before publication of the manuscript

Seminal studies

the first studies on a particular topic that signaled the beginning of a new way of thinking on the topic and sometimes are referred to as classical studies

Landmark studies

significant research projects that have generated knowledge that influences a discipline and sometimes society as a whole

Replication studies

reproductions or repetitions of a study that researchers conducted to determine whether the findings of the original study could be found consistently in different settings with different study participants