WEEK 3

Research process

A series of steps that guides the researcher from the beginning to the end of the study.

Phase I: Conceptual Phase

The phase in which the researcher develops the formal question to be investigated in the study.

○ Formulating and delimiting the problem

○ Reviewing the related literature

○ Undertaking clinical fieldwork

○ Defining the framework and developing

conceptual definitions

○ Formulating the hypothesis

Activities in the Conceptual Phase

Phase II: Design and Planning Phase

The phase that determines strategies for collecting and analyzing data and evaluates research decisions before implementation.

○ Selecting a research design

○ Developing protocols for the intervention, for

experimental research

○ Identifying the population to be studied

○ Designing the sample plan

○ Specifying methods to measure the research

variables

○ Developing methods for safeguarding human

or animal rights

○ Finalizing and reviewing the research plan

Activities in the Design and Planning Phase

Phase III: Empirical Phase

The phase involving data gathering and preparation of data for analysis.

Data gathering and preparing data for analysis.

Activities in the Empirical Phase

Phase IV: Analytical Phase

The phase involving analysis and interpretation of research data.

Analyzing the data and interpreting the results.

Activities in the Analytical Phase

Phase V: Dissemination Phase

The phase involving communicating research findings and utilizing them in practice.

Communicating the findings and utilizing findings in practice.

Activities in the Dissemination Phase

Purpose of a literature review: Identify gaps

Identifies gaps in knowledge, areas of dispute, and uncertainty.

Purpose of a literature review: Identify patterns

Identifies common patterns among findings from related studies.

Purpose of a literature review: Compare conflicting studies

Compares conflicting studies and explores reasons for differences.

Purpose of a literature review: Define terminology

Helps define terminology and identify variations in definitions.

Purpose of a literature review: Identify methodologies

Helps identify appropriate research methodologies.

Purpose of a literature review: Identify instruments

Helps identify validated scales and instruments.

Subjective literature

Books used as a type of research literature in nursing research.

Research literature

Journals, whether printed or online, used as research literature.

Gray literature

Magazines, brochures, flyers, posters, newspapers, and unpublished research works.

Step 1 of conducting a literature review: Choose the topic and define the question

The literature review should be guided by a central research question and focus on studies related to that specific question.

○ Studies should be interpreted and analyzed,

not simply collected

Step 2 of conducting a literature review: Decide the scope

Determine the number of studies to review, how comprehensive the review should be, and the number of years to be covered.

Step 3 of conducting a literature review: Select databases

Choose the databases that will be used to search for literature.

Step 4 of conducting a literature review: Conduct the search

Search for relevant literature, keep track of searches, review abstracts and conclusions carefully, and record keywords and where studies were found. Use RefWorks to manage citations

Step 5 of conducting a literature review: Review the literature

Assess the research question and purpose, funding influence, methodology, literature review, samples and variables, results and conclusions, completeness and quality, questions raised, conflicting findings, author reputation, and citation history.

Chronological organization of literature

Organizing literature according to events or trends.

Organization by publication date

Organizing literature according to when studies were published.

Organization by methodology

Grouping literature according to the research approaches used.

Thematic organization of literature

Grouping literature according to categories or themes.

SEA format

A format that may be used to organize each discussion in a Review of Related Literature (RRL): Synopsis, Evidence, and Argument.

S – Synopsis

Introduces and explains the variable or main concept.

E – Evidence

Presents recent research findings, studies, or supporting literature.

A – Argument

Discusses problems, issues, gaps, contradictions, or limitations found in the literature.

Phase 1: The Conceptual Phase

The phase where the researcher develops the formal question to be investigated and establishes the conceptual basis of the study.

Step 1: Formulating and Delimiting the Problem

Formulating good research questions that identify an important and answerable research problem.

Ask: Is this research question important given the evidence base? Could study findings be useful in clinical practice? How can this question best be answered to yield high-quality evidence?

Questions when formulating the research problem

Step 2: Reviewing the Related Literature

Reviewing existing literature related to the research problem.

Step 3: Undertaking Clinical Fieldwork

Examining clinical practice to identify observations, discrepancies, and possible improvements that may lead to research questions.

Ask: What do I see and do in clinical practice? Are there discrepancies between what I see/do and what I know or what the literature says? Is this the best way to do this, or is there another way?

Questions when undertaking clinical fieldwork

Step 4: Defining the Framework and Developing Conceptual Definitions

Establishing a conceptual rationale and a clear vision of the concepts under study.

Step 5: Formulating Hypothesis

Developing a hypothesis that predicts or proposes relationships among variables in the study.

Phase 2: The Design and Planning Phase

The phase in which the researcher plans how the research questions will be answered and how the study will be conducted.

Step 6: Selecting Research Design

Selecting the overall plan or blueprint for obtaining answers to the questions being studied.

Step 7: Developing Protocols for the Intervention

Developing intervention protocols; this step applies only to experimental studies, wherein the research group is treated according to the study protocol.

Step 8: Identifying the Population

Determining the characteristics that study participants should possess.

Step 9: Designing the Sampling Plan

Specifying in advance how the sample will be selected and how many subjects there will be.

Step 10: Specifying Methods to Measure Variables

Identifying how the variables in the study will be measured.

Step 11: Developing Methods to Safeguard Human/Animal Rights

Identifying how the research sample will be protected.

Step 12: Reviewing and Finalizing the Research Plan

Testing the identified tool/instrument to assess its adequacy and assessing whether the planned procedures can work as intended.

Phase 3: The Empirical Phase

The phase in which data are collected and prepared for analysis.

Step 13: Collecting the Data

Outlining and carrying out how data will be collected from the actual study.

Step 14: Preparing the Data for Analysis

Transferring data from the research tool into software or computer files for analysis.

Phase 4: The Analytic Phase

The phase in which collected data are analyzed and the results are interpreted.

Step 15: Analyzing the Data

Determining and using appropriate statistical measures to answer the research questions and hypotheses.

Step 16: Interpreting the Results

Explaining the findings and examining their implications for the nursing profession.

Phase 5: The Dissemination Phase

The phase in which research findings are communicated and put into practice.

Step 17: Communicating the Findings

Sharing research findings through publication or other forms of dissemination so they can contribute evidence to nursing practice and the profession.

Step 18: Putting the Evidence into Practice

Utilizing research findings in the clinical setting or as part of new evidence-based practice.

Gantt chart

– is a planning tool that will help the researcher keep track of the planned activities in a project.