NURS 329: Exam 1 - introduction to nursing research/overview of research process Qs with 100% accurate solutions + rationales 2026 - Chamberlain

-Assuming active role in process

-Incorporating results into practice as consumer

what are nurses responsible for?

true

true or false:

nursing research is a process that allows nurses to ask questions to gain new knowledge and improve patient care

this is when research is the primary basis for clinical decision making

what is established reality?

Nurses participate in research activities to:

1. develop knowledge

2. refine/change practice

3. extend nursing science... unique body of knowledge

what are three reasons why nurses participate in research activities?

true

-clinical research (primary emphasis)

-educational

-administrative

true or false:

nursing is both a professional and an academic discipline

this is the emphasis on research findings guiding practice and clinical decisions

what is EBP?

Nursing research is a process of systematic inquiry

-Study phenomena of interest to discipline

-There are various approaches:

Quantitative (QN) & Qualitative (QL) methods

The purpose of nursing research is to:

-Answer questions, solve problems

EVEN BETTER:

-Discover new knowledge

-ESSENTIAL to guiding clinical practice

what is nursing research?

Tradition

Authority

Personal Experience

Intuition

Trial & error

Logical Reasoning

Scientific Method (preferred)

how is knowledge acquired?

scientific method

what is the preferred way to acquire knowledge?

Process in which observable, verifiable data are systematically collected from surroundings through the senses to describe, explain, or predict events

what is scientific inquiry?

Selecting/ defining a problem, formulating research questions or hypotheses, collecting & analyzing data, and reporting results.

what is the scientific method?

true

true or false:

the scientific method should be done with rigor

1. OBJECTIVITY

-Ability to distance process from scientist's personal beliefs, values, attitudes

2. EMPIRICAL DATA

-Documenting objective data obtained thru direct observation (numeric form)

-Grounded in REALITY, not personal beliefs

-Free of BIAS

what two things does the scientific method require?

false

scientific research differs from nursing research in the nature of the material studied

true or false:

scientific research does not differ from nursing research

Nursing research ~ studying PEOPLE

-Unpredictable

-More variability

CHALLENGING...

-More difficult to control external conditions

-Ethical considerations ~ IRB

why is nursing research more challenging compared to scientific research?

1. Quantitative Research (QN)

-Involves more rigorous scientific methods

-Used more extensively

-Emphasis on objectivity

-Traditional approaches

--->Experiments, questionnaires, surveys

-Statistical analysis of numerical data

-Larger samples

-Emphasis on generalizing findings to similar populations

what is quantitative research? list some characteristics of QN

2. Qualitative Research (QL)

-Methods emphasize verbal descriptions

-Less common, can complement QN

-Emphasis on subjectivity, understanding the meaning of "experience" for individual

-Newer, less traditional approaches

-Interviews, observations, case studies

-Analyze words (vs. numbers) for meaning, common themes

-Small samples

-NOT concerned with generalizing findings

what is qualitative research? list some characteristics of qualitative research

RIGOR ~ Striving for excellence in research

-Knowledge of the research process

-Discipline

-Scrupulous adherence to detail

-Strict accuracy

what is rigor?

TRIANGULATION (also called Mixed Methodology)

-Use of both QN & QL methods to collect data about a particular phenomenon

-Complementary

-More accurate representation of reality

what is mixed methodology/triangulation?

true

true or false:

Usually need several studies/stream of steady robust evidence to change practice

-Repeating a study using same variables/methods or slight variations

-Provides additional evidence of validity of findings

what is replication?

Analyzing data already collected by someone else for distinctly different purpose, explore other questions

-Saves time & $, but data "as is"

-EXAMPLES: Census data, Medicare/govt databases

what is a secondary analysis?

Research CONSUMER

-Readers of research whose objective is to APPLY findings to nursing practice or USE findings to conduct further research

what is a researcher consumer?

Nurse RESEARCHER

-Actively conducts, participates in design & implementation of a study (Masters level)

-Part of research team ~ group that collaborates to conduct research, from determining initial research question through disseminating results

-Assist/conduct/lead investigations as principal investigator "PI" (Doctoral level)

what is a nurse researcher?

true

true or false:

Every nurse scientist has responsibility of promoting integrity of nursing science

As part of a RESEARCH TEAM:

-Collaborate on development of idea

-Participate in design of study

-Assist with data collection

what is a nurse's role as part of a research team?

Guiding principles for nurse scientists:

-Respect for integrity of knowledge

-Collegiality

-Honesty & trust

-Objectivity

-Openness

what are the guiding principles for nurse scientist?

true

true or false:

Nursing research is of little value unless it is communicated to other professionals

true

true or false:

dissemination of knowledge is key

Five General Steps/Guidelines:

1. Selecting/defining problem

2. Selecting research design

3. Collecting data

4. Analyzing data

5. Using research findings

what are the five general steps and guidelines to the research process?

1. problem identification

-Selecting & defining a problem

-Involves:

Review of literature (ROL) to determine rationale for study, justify need to investigate phenomenon

Identifying theoretical framework for interpreting results, IF appropriate

Stating research question(s) OR hypotheses

what is the first step of the research process?

2. Designing the study

Selecting a research design

Involves planning methods of:

-Sample

-Setting

-Measurement

-Also selection of methods for analyzing data

what is the second step in the research process?

3. Implementation

Collecting data

-Most difficult, time consuming phase

Involves

-Collecting data

-Organizing data for analysis

what is the third step in the research process?

4. Data Analysis

Involves:

-Analyzing/interpreting data, making valid conclusions

-Summarizing data in meaningful way to answer question(s) or determine if hypotheses are supported or not

-May lead to new questions that stimulate further study

what is the fourth step in the research process?

5. Dissemination of findings

Involves using the findings

-Those NOT shared are of little value

-Must communicate to others

-Can take many forms

1. Journal articles

2. Podium presentations

3. Poster presentations

what is the fifth step in the research process?

true

true or false:

Without a well-developed dissemination plan, research cannot be used for the greater good.

Strategy depends on

-What is being disseminated

-End users

-Outlets available to convey research outcomes

1. practice

2. education

3. policy

what are the three things research drives?

Purpose:

-Obtain empirical data used to develop, refine or test a theory WITHOUT immediate concern for direct application to clinical practice

AKA "fundamental" or "bench" research

what is the purpose of basic research?

Applied Research:

Purpose ~ Gain knowledge that is used

in practical/clinical setting, modify practice

Most nursing research is in this category

what is applied research?

1. Refers to a study where researcher manipulates/controls 1 or more variables to observe effect on another

-Involves administering a treatment (intervention) to one group & withholding or giving alternative treatment to another (control) group

2. Often to explain or predict phenomena

3. Experimental & quasi-experimental designs

what is experimental research?

Refers to a study where there is little to no control over variables

-Descriptive or exploratory

-TWO Common Types

1. Descriptive Research: A particular situation or event that already exists is described

-NO attempt to explain or predict

2. Correlational Research: Examines the relationship between existing variables and how they correspond (correlation coefficient)

-"Descriptive correlational"

what is non-experimental research?

Retrospective Research

-Examines data collected in the past

-Medical record review

-AKA "ex post facto" (after the fact)

what is retrospective research?

Prospective Research

-Examines data collected in the present

-More reliable because of potential for greater control of data/how collected

what is prospective research?

Cross-Sectional Research

-Collects data at one point in time

-Draw conclusions about population characteristics by comparisons

-Measures what exists today

-NO attempt to document changes or treatment effects over time

-Often noted as limitation

what is cross-sectional research?

Longitudinal Research

-Follows a single cohort or groups of subjects, but collects data over time, performing measurements at prescribed intervals

-Enables comparisons over time

-More difficult:

Loss of subjects (mortality) over extended course of study

More resources (time & $) needed

Repeated "testing" effects on same subjects

what is longitudinal research?

Sequential approach for research leading to improved HC & clinical/patient outcomes

1. Cultivate a spirit of inquiry

2. Ask clinical questions

3. Search for best evidence (ROL)

4. Critically appraise evidence

5. Integrate evidence

6. Evaluate outcomes of EBP

7. Disseminate EBP results

what are the seven steps for EBP?