CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION
Nor Masita Esa
Hospital Slim River,
Perak
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
RESEARCH
OUTLINES:
Definition
Scientific
Methods
Need for
Nursing
Research
Academic
Writing –
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING 3
DEFINITION
RESEARCH
The word Research is derived from the
French word “recherche”, which means “to go
about seeking”, Old French term “recerchier” a
compound word from “re- ” + “cerchier” The
earliest recorded use of the term was in
1577.
RE – SEARCH The prefix “re” means
“again” and signifies replication of the
search. One seeks new knowledge or to
directly utilize knowledge specific to life
situations.
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING 4
DEFINITION
RESEARCH
Webster (1971), “research is a studious
inquiry or examination, investigation, or
experimentation aimed at the discovery and
interpretation of facts, revision of accepted
theories or laws in the light of new facts or
practical applications of such new or revised
theories or laws.”
Treece and Treece (1973) stated:
“Research is an attempt to gain solutions
to problems. It is the collection of data
in a rigorously controlled situation for the
purpose of prediction or explanation.”
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING 5
NURSING RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Polit and Beck (2004) - systematic inquiry
designed to develop knowledge about issues
of importance to the nursing profession,
including nursing practice, education,
administration and informatics.:
“Research is an attempt to gain
solutions to problems. It is the collection
of data in a rigorously controlled situation
for the purpose of prediction or
explanation.”
Burns and Grove (2005) - defined nursing
research as a “scientific process that
validates and refines existing knowledge
and generates new knowledge that
directly and indirectly influences clinical
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING 6
RESEARCH
SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE
• Customs and tradition - “we’ve always done it that way”.
• Assembled information (e.g., quality improvement
data)
• Scientific research – the most objective and the
source of nursing knowledge.
• Trial and error – “if it works, we’ll use it”.
• Logical reasoning (inductive & deductive)
• Experts or authorities
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING 7
RESEARCH
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
• Scientific methods are defined as controlled, systematic
investigations that are rooted in objective reality and that aim
to develop general knowledge about natural phenomena.
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING 8
RESEARCH
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
THEY ARE SCIENTISTS ATTEMPT THEIR FINDINGS ARE FINDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC
TO CONTROL METHODS CAN BE
ORDERLY AND EXTERNAL FACTORS
BASED ON THE GENERALIZED, WHICH
SYSTEMATIC THAT ARE NOT EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE. MEANS THAT THEY CAN BE
PROCESSES. UNDER DIRECT USED IN SITUATIONS OTHER
INVESTIGATION. THAN THE ONE UNDER
STUDY.
THEY ARE THEY ARE BASICALLY
BASED ON CONDUCTED TO
ASSUMPTIONS DEVELOP OR TEST
OR THEORIES.
HYPOTHESES.
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING RESEARCH 9
STEPS OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD
• The steps of scientific methods depend on the type of the study, which follows either a
qualitative or a quantitative approach. However, the main steps used in any scientific
method or approach are as follows:
Selecting Determining Describing Communicati
Defining the
the topic the ethical the research ng findings
objectives of
and implication of design and of the
stud
the
study
identifying
proble the
proposed methods
data for y.
.
[Link] study. collection.
Reviewing the Defining
Identifying Analysing
literature study
assumptions and
from theory population
and interpreting
and other and sample
implications. data.
related
studies Stating
hypothesis Planning the
Collecting
about expected data analysis
Defining observations or data
and
concepts phenomenon to from
be studied discussion. subjects
and
variables to
be studied
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING 10
NEED FOR NURSING RESEARCH
RESEARCH
TO DEVELOP, REFINE,
AND EXTEND THE
BUILD AND EXPAND VALIDATE AND MAKE HEALTH CARE SCIENTIFIC BASE OF TO PROVIDE
THE BODY OF REFINE THE EXISTING EFFICIENT AND COST- KNOWLEDGE, WHICH FOUNDATION FOR
NURSING NURSING PRACTICE EFFECTIVE. IS REQUIRED FOR EVIDENCE-BASED
KNOWLEDGE QUALITY NURSING NURSING PRACTICES
CARE, EDUCATION,
AND ADMINISTRATION
TO DEFINE THE REFINE AND ELIMINATE
OLD KNOWLEDGE SO
TO ENHANCE THEIR TO HELP IN PARAMETERS OF
THAT IT HELPS IN THE
TO ENHANCE THE PROFESSIONAL EXPANSION OF NURSING, WHICH ELIMINATION OF
BODY OF IDENTITY AS KNOWLEDGE, WHICH WILL HELP NURSES NURSING ACTIONS THAT
PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH IS AN IS ESSENTIAL FOR TO IDENTIFY HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE
KNOWLEDGE IN ESSENTIAL CONTINUED GROWTH BOUNDARIES OF ACHIEVEMENT OF
NURSING. COMPONENT OF ANY OF NURSING NURSING DESIRED CLIENT
PROFESSION. OUTCOMES.
PROFESSION. PROFESSION.
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING RESEARCH 11
ACADEMIC WRITING (RESEARCH
PROPOSAL & REPORT
DISCUSSION
INTRODUCTION LITERATURE RESEARCH RESULT &
REVIEW METHODOLOGY CONCLUSION
12
CHAPTER 1:
“ INTRODUCTION ”
The introduction section is the first section in your
proposal.
It includes background information
information about the topic of the thesis.
It should draw readers in and make them want to
read more It has several functions such as:
Preparing information on the overall background of
study
Presenting the preview of the whole written report
Help the reader to focus on the issue or problem
addressed in the study
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING 13
RESEARCH
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD
THESIS INTRODUCTION
The five elements of the Introduction can
be seen as answering the questions:
What is the research about?
[Background]
What is the problem that is currently faced?
[Problem Statement]
What is the aim of the study? [Objective]
What do you want to study? [Research
Question & Research Hypothesis]
What are the limits or boundaries of the study?
[Scope & Delimi on]
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
14
RESEARCH
BACKGROUND OF STUDY
THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION PROVIDES AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUE OR PROBLEM STUDIED AND
YOUR REASON FOR CONDUCTING THE STUDY
GENERALLY, THERE ARE 3 IMPORTANT STEPS IN WRITING THE BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:
BEGIN WITH GENERAL CONTEXT.
THEN, GRADUALLY NARROW DOWN YOUR WRITING TO INCLUDE SPECIFIC STATEMENTS MADE BY OTHER
RESEARCHERS IN THEIR STUDIES IN RELATION TO THE ISSUE OR PROBLEM THAT YOUR HIGHLIGHTING IN
YOUR STUDY.
YOU COULD INCLUDE STATEMENTS THAT INDICATE THE NEED TO FURTHER EXPLORE THE ISSUE OR TO DO A
THOROUGH INVESTIGATION ON THE PROBLEMS.
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING 15
RESEARCH
BACKGROUND
You can choose how to start your background writing style There are several
backgrounds writing
styles, you can choose or combine these elements:
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND COMPARING THE
BACKGROUND USING DESCRIBING THE
USING METHODS OR
USING STATISTIC HISTORICAL PROBLEM
DEFINITION IDEAS
DEVELOPMENT
16
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING RESEARCH
PROBLEM STATEMENT
PROBLEM STATEMENT IS A SINGLE
STATEMENT THAT DEFINES THE ISSUE OR
PROBLEM INVESTIGATED IN THE STUDY.
IT IS USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY SEVERAL
OTHER PARAGRAPHS THAT FURTHER DESCRIBE
THE SEVERITY AND COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUE
OR PROBLEM.
WHEN WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT, IT IS
IMPORTANT TO CAREFULLY DEFINE AND
DESCRIBE THE ISSUE OR PROBLEM
EXAMINED IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY THE
RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY YOU NEED TO
EXPLAIN CURRENT SITUATION THAT
NEEDS FOR AN IMPROVEMENT/NEW
SOLUTION.
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING 17
WHEN DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM
RESEARCH
When there is a GAP between the current situation and the ideal
situation.
IDEAL
SITUATION
QUESTIONS
GAP • WHAT? (WHAT
• KNOWLEDGE DIDN’T WE
• UNDERSTANDING KNOW?)
• SOLUTION • WHY? (WHY IT
HAPPEN?)
• HOW? (HOW TO
SOLVE)
CURREN
T
SITUATIO
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING RESEARCH 18
HOW TO PROVE A PROBLEM
EXIST?
.
SINCE A PROBLEM IS A GAP BETWEEN CURRENT AND
IDEAL
SITUATIONS, YOU NEED TO PROVIDE:
Justification of why we need the
IDEAL
situation!
Hard facts (e.g. data, reports,
etc.) as
evidence to the CURRENT
situation.
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING 19
RESEARCH
FORMULATION OF RESEARCH
PROBLEM STEPS
IDENTIFY A BROAD DISSECT THE BROAD SELECT WHAT IS OF PERFORM
FIELD OR SUBJECT AREA INTO SUB MOST INTEREST TO PRELIMINARY
AREA OF INTEREST AREAS YOU LITERATURE SURVEY
COME UP WITH RAISE RESEARCH IDENTIFY THE AIM OF
GENERAL PROBLEM QUESTIONS THE STUDY
STATEMENT
SEPARATE THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
MAKE PROBLEM MORE SPECIFIC BY RESOLVING AMBIGUITIES
THINK AND REPHRASE INTO OPERATIONAL TERMS
FEASIBILITY OF THE CORRESPONDING SOLUTION MUST BE CONSIDERED
CONCISE CLEAR AND MANAGEABLE STATEMENT
DISCUSSIONS AND BRAIN STORMING WITH THE SUPERVISOR
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING RESEARCH 20
OBJECTIVES.
What is the aim of the work you are
reporting?
Consist of:
The purpose of the study
Objectives of the study
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING RESEARCH 21
• The reason why your study was conducted
• Alert the readers’ interests towards the issue or
The purpose problem explored
of the • Eg: The purpose of the study is/was
to……………………, This research aims to
study investigate………………, The overall goal of this
research is to………………………..
• This part should state clearly and explicitly the specific aims or
goals of the
Objectives of research.
• An explicit and concise objective may be able to:
the • Show the extend of your study
• Prompt the reader to the possible information or data that
study will be
included in the findings section (Chapter 4)
• Provide insight potential recommendations or rewards of the
The purpose of the study Objectives
study of the study The purpose of the study
explain the
reason why the study was carried out, while the objectives of the study shows the
expected results or outcome of the study.
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING RESEARCH 22
POINTS OF LANGUAGE
FOR OBJECTIVES
The use of the infinitive of the verb “to…” is a key
language
feature of a well-formed objectives section.
The project has the following aims: to measure
… to investigate, …to compare…, to test …, to
study …
Should have bloom taxonomy verbs
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING RESEARCH 23
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
RESEARCH QUESTION:WHAT YOU
RESEARCH
24
WANT TO STUDY?
WHEN THE
THE PRIMARY
RESEARCH IS
RESEARCH THESE
FINISHED, THE
QUESTION IS QUESTIONS
CONTRIBUTION
THE BASIS FOR ARE
TO THE
DATA IMPORTANT
KNOWLEDGE
COLLECTION SINCE THEY
WILL BE THE
AND ARISES ARE THE FOCUS
ANSWERING ANSWER TO
FROM THE A RESEARCH OF YOUR
YOUR THESE THUS, THE
PURPOSE OF QUESTION IS RESEARCH
QUESTIONS IS QUESTIONS. RESEARCH
THE STUDY A
QUESTION THAT
THE MAIN AIM QUESTIONS
YOUR MUST BE
OF YOUR STUDY
RESEARCH ACCURATELY
OR THESIS AND
STUDY/PROJEC AND CLEARLY
“EVERYTHING
T SETS OUT TO DEFINED
ELSE FOLLOWS
ANSWER. .
FROM THEM”.
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
RESEARCH 25
TO FORMULATE YOUR RESEARCH QUESTIONS, YOU COULD BEGIN
BY ASKING YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
What have been Has a great deal of
What do I know researched
research been
about the topic of and what needs further
exploration Could my conducted in this
my research and
study fill a gap or lead topic area Has this
its literature? to greater study been done
understanding of the
before?
problem/issue?
Is the timing right
If so, is there room for Is it a hot topic, or
for improvement? isbecoming
it
thisanswere
question to
obsolete?
be d?
Most importantly,
will my study have
significant impact
on the field?
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
RESEARCH 26
The next step is to refer to the objectives of your study.
You need to turn the objectives of your study into your
research questions. Example:
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY ARE:
TO DESCRIBE THE CURRENT TRENDS IN CONSUMER DECISION MAKING, ATTITUDES AND
BEHAVIOR IN RELATION TO HAND PHONE USAGE
TO INVESTIGATE THE EXTEND OF KNOWLEDGE AND ANXIETY LEVEL OF PUBLIC ABOUT
POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS OF THE HAND PHONE USAGE.
TO IDENTIFY THERE ANY HEALTH RELATED EFFECT THAT HAND PHONE USERS MAY HAVE
EXPERIENCE
THE STUDY WILL PROVIDE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT TRENDS IN CONSUMER DECISION MAKING, ATTITUDES AND
BEHAVIOURS IN RELATION TO HAND PHONE USAGE
WHAT DOES THE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS OF THE HAND
PHONE USAGE AND HOW DO THEY FEEL ABOUT IT?
ARE THERE ANY EXISTING HEALTH RELATED EFFECTS ON HAND PHONE USAGE BY LOCAL
CONSUMERS
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
RESEARCH 27
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
HYPOTHESES ARE TENTATIVE STATEMENTS ABOUT THE GIVEN POPULATION
NULL HYPOTHESIS (STATISTICAL HYPOTHESIS, HO) = STATES THAT THERE IS NO
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT VARIABLES
–
ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS (HA) = SHOWS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT VARIABLES
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
RESEARCH 28
RESEARCH RESEARCH QUESTIONS RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
OBJECTIVES
To determine adherence What is the adherence There is a significant difference in adherence
level to lifestyle level to lifestyle level to lifestyle between patients in the
modification among modification among control group and the intervention group.
patients with coronary patients with coronary
artery disease. artery disease?
To determine adherence What is the adherence There is a significant difference in adherence
level to dual level to dual antiplatelet level to dual antiplatelet therapy between
antiplatelet therapy therapy among patients patients in the control group and the
among patients with with coronary artery intervention group.
coronary artery disease. disease?
To identify the What is the association There is a significant association
association between between sociodemographic between sociodemographic data and
sociodemographic data data and clinical data adherence level to lifestyle modification
and clinical data on on adherence to lifestyle and dual antiplatelet therapy among patients
adherence to modification and dual with coronary artery disease.
lifestyle modification antiplatelet therapy
and dual antiplatelet among patients with
therapy among patients coronary artery disease?
with coronary artery
disease.
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING RESEARCH 29
SCOPE & DELIMITATION
This portion should be This is achieved by
able to identify the putting a limit to the
breadth and number of factors or
intensiveness of the conditions being
study considered in the study
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING 30
RESEARCH
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
PATIENT ORGANIZATION NURSING PROFESSION
• IMPROVE PATIENT
• REDUCE THE • IMPROVE QUALITY
KNOWLEDGE
COST OF
• IMPROVE CARE
• PROFIT TO THE
THE
ORGANIZATION • EVIDENCE BASED
AWARENESS
PRACTICE
LEVEL
• IMPROVED THE
• INCREASED
KNOWLEDGE
THE SELF-
AND SKILLS
CARE MANAGEMENT
• IMPROVE QUALITY
OF
LIFE
THANK YOU
NOR MASITA ESA
Clinical Nurse U41
Hospital Slim River,
Perak Ministry of
Health, Malaysia
masita.esa153@gmail.c
om