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Introduction to Research
in Nursing
Assefa Andargie (Asst. Prof)
Department of Public Health
College of Medicine and Health Science
Injibara University

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 Learning objectives
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
• Define research and describe its purpose in health
sciences and nursing.
• Explain the importance of research in advancing pediatric
and child health nursing practice.
• Identify the major characteristics of good research (e.g.,
systematic, logical, empirical, replicable).
• Differentiate between major types of research
(quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods).
• Describe the relationship between research and
evidence-based practice in pediatric and child health
nursing.
• Recognize the role of nurses as consumers, participants,
and producers of research. 2
 Definition of Research
• Research is a systematic, scientific, and organized
process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting
information to answer questions or solve problems.
• In health sciences and nursing, research provides
evidence that guides practice, improves patient
outcomes, and advances knowledge.

• Example: A study on breastfeeding practices and infant

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 Definition of Research
• Systematic: Research follows step-by-step procedures (not
random guessing).
– Example: Collecting immunization records from a sample of children
in an organized way.
• Scientific: Based on evidence, facts, and logic, not
opinions.
– Example: Testing whether a feeding program reduces malnutrition.
• Process: Research is not a one-time event; it has stages
(problem identification, data collection, analysis, reporting).
• Knowledge: The outcome of research is information that
can be used in practice, teaching, and policy.
• Evidence: Reliable findings that help guide decisions in
nursing care.

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 Nursing research definition:
• Nursing research is a scientific process that provides
evidence to support nursing practice, improve patient
outcomes, and strengthen the nursing profession.
• It focuses on problems and questions that nurses face in
caring for individuals, families, children, and
communities.
• In pediatric and child health nursing, research may
investigate issues such as:
– Growth and development patterns of children
– Effective interventions for reducing childhood infections
– Mothers’ experiences of caring for low birth weight infants

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 Purpose of Research in Nursing
Research aims to:
• Expand knowledge: Understand child growth, disease patterns,
and nursing interventions.
• Improve practice: Introduce effective care strategies.
– Example: Determining the best pain relief method for immunization
injections.
• Test interventions: Check if new approaches work in real settings.
– Example: Health education program effectiveness in reducing diarrhea
cases.
• Develop theory: Provide frameworks to explain child health
phenomena.
• Inform policy: Evidence helps guide hospital and community health
policies.
– Example: Research on neonatal infection prevention may shape
national guidelines.

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 Importance of Research in Nursing
• Provides evidence for nursing interventions.
• Helps nurses solve clinical problems.
• Promotes evidence-based practice instead of relying
on tradition.
• Improves quality, safety, and efficiency of care.
• Encourages critical thinking and lifelong learning.
• Example:
A nurse notices repeated cases of dehydration in
children despite ORS availability. Research helps identify
barriers to correct usage and informs a training program
to reduce dehydration rates.

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 Characteristics of Good Research
Good research should be:
• Systematic: Follows a clear, step-by-step plan.
• Logical: Based on reasoning and existing knowledge.
• Empirical: Uses observed or measured evidence.
• Replicable: Others can repeat the study to verify results.
• Ethical: Protects participants’ rights and wellbeing, especially
children.
• Clear and Focused: Addresses specific, answerable
questions.

Example: A study on neonatal hypothermia is ethical when it

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 Types of Research
A. By Approach:
• Quantitative: Focuses on numbers and statistics.
– Example: Measuring hemoglobin levels in 100 children.
• Qualitative: Explores experiences, meanings, and
perceptions.
– Example: Interviewing mothers about challenges in
exclusive breastfeeding.
• Mixed Methods: Combines both quantitative and
qualitative approaches.
– Example: Survey children’s growth measurements
(quantitative) and interview caregivers about feeding
practices (qualitative).

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 Types of Research
B. By Purpose:
• Descriptive: Describes a situation without
examining relationships.
– Example: Recording the prevalence of childhood
asthma in a community.
• Analytical: Examines relationships or causes.
– Example: Investigating the relationship between
maternal education and child vaccination rates.
• Experimental: Tests interventions or treatments.
– Example: Testing whether a new vaccination
schedule reduces infection rates.

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 Types of Research
C. By Application:
• Pure (Basic) Research: Seeks knowledge for
understanding, not immediate use.
– Example: Studying how stress affects children’s
immune response.
• Applied Research: Solves practical problems.
– Example: Testing a new educational program to
improve ORS use among caregivers.

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 Steps in the Research Process
1. Identify the Problem: Define a clear, specific
question relevant to child health.
– Example: Why are some under-five children malnourished
despite nutrition programs?
2. Review the Literature: Find out what is already
known and where knowledge gaps exist.
– Example: Check previous studies on feeding practices and
malnutrition.
3. Formulate Objectives and Hypotheses:
– Objectives: What the study aims to achieve.
• Example: To determine factors associated with malnutrition in
under-five children.
– Hypotheses: Testable predictions (for quantitative
studies).
• Example: Children from households with low maternal education
are more likely to be malnourished.
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 Steps in the Research Process
4. Select Research Design and Methodology: Choose
a method that answers the research question.
– Example: Descriptive cross-sectional survey or
experimental intervention study.
5. Define Population and Sample: Decide who will be
studied.
– Population: All children in a community.
– Sample: 100 randomly selected under-five children.
6. Data Collection: Gather information using tools such
as questionnaires, interviews, observations, or records.
– Example: Collect anthropometric measurements and
dietary history.
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 Steps in the Research Process
7. Data Analysis: Organize and interpret data.
– Quantitative: Use mean, percentage, correlation.
– Qualitative: Identify themes from interviews.
8. Interpretation and Discussion: Compare findings with
previous studies and consider implications.
– Example: Low maternal education may explain poor
feeding practices.
9. Conclusions and Recommendations: Summarize
findings and suggest actions or further research.
10. Report Writing and Dissemination: Prepare research
report, thesis, or publication. Present results in
seminars, conferences, or posters.
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 Role of Nurses in Research
• Consumers: Apply findings in daily practice.
• Participants: Help collect data or facilitate
studies.
• Producers: Conduct studies and publish results.
– Example: A pediatric nurse may implement a small
study on pain reduction during immunization and
present findings to colleagues.

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 Research and Evidence-Based
Practice (EBP)

• EBP = Best research evidence + Clinical

• Research provides the foundation for EBP.

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Thank you!

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