Nursing Research: Reasons, Sources, Principles, Models, and Evaluation

This article discusses the reasons for undertaking nursing research, credible sources of information, trilateral principles of evidence-based practice, models of evidence-based practice, and ethical considerations for research. It also provides guidance on how to evaluate the strength, relevance, reliability, currency, feasibility, benefits, and risks of information gathered during a research process.

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1. Different reasons for undertaking research are provided below. Provide an example for
each of the following reasons for undertaking research in a nursing context.
a. Comparison: Nursing research can be defined as a systematic inquiry that seeks to develop
knowledge regarding issues of significance to the profession of nursing, including nursing
practice, administration, informatics and education. The aspect of comparison in nursing
research allows for the comprehensive analysis of given set of nursing practices with an aim
of establishing how they relate to one another. For instance, looking for a common approach
to the treatment of diabetes and hypertension to establish the relating causes of the two
illnesses in order to adopt a common method for its treatment.
b. Hypothesis testing: It refers to a statistical test performed on a sample of data in order to
check whether the assumed hypothesis stands valid for the whole population or not. For
instance, in determining whether the sexual abuse history in childhood influence the
development of irritable bowel syndrome in women. Therefore, the hypothesis would be
formulated as follows; women who were abused sexually during childhood bear a higher
incidence of irritable bowel syndrome than women who are not.
c. Trend identification: Trend is a pattern of restrained change in a process, output, condition
or general tendency of observable events to shift in a particular direction over time. There are
various trends in the nursing filed like consumer education, access to nursing education,
practice care and collaborative nursing. Therefore, the objective can be to establish the
outstanding trend. For example, the emerging practice of protective care and its viability.
d. Own knowledge extension: the nursing profession exists to give services to the society and
research is viewed as the most credible source of knowledge. For example, a team of medical
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experts researching on the need for change in complementary therapy with an aim of
increasing knowledge on nursing in relation to humanism, participation and integration.
e. Strengthen quality of own practice: this aspect promotes accountability for nursing
practice (Tilley & Watson, 2004). By participating in scientific research, nurses are able to
develop sound rationale for their actions (Parahoo, 2014). For example, determining the most
efficient nursing approach for mental health patients to improve the quality of their services.
2. Identify any three (3) credible sources of information you could access during the research
process.
I would focus on reliable sources of data both primary and secondary. They would include
field sources who are mainly the living persons who have profound knowledge in the nursing
profession and intimate contact with trends in healthcare (Clamp, et al., 2005). The other
source is online database such as MEDLINE and CINAHL that forms the secondary evidence
of practice, meta-analysis and nursing practice founded on research. The third source would
be historical data and tradition on contemporary nursing practices (Wolters-Kluwer &
Williams, n.d.).
3. Identify the trilateral principles underpinning evidence based practice.
EBP describes the integration of findings of research with patient values and clinical
expertise (Ellis, 2016). It is mainly client/ patient oriented and seeks to provide optimal
healthcare services on a personal basis (Barker, 2009). The principles are; 1). Integration of
expert opinion/ clinical expertise, 2). Interpretation of external scientific findings and 3).
Integration of patient/ caregiver values (Glasziou, et al., 2008).
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4. Identify any three (3) models of evidence-based practice.
The John’s Hopkins nursing evidence based practice model called Ottawa research model
particularly address the practice nurse needs through the adoption of a three step practice
known as PET: practice question, evidence and translation (Dang & Dearholt, 2018). There is
also the Lowa model of research in practice and Stetler model of research utilization that
assist practioners to evaluate the application of research findings in practice (Rycroft-Malone
& Bucknall, 2010).
5. In your own words, briefly describe the ACE Star Model of Knowledge Transformation
(in 40 - 70 words).
The model describes a five stage process that is used in transforming knowledge into practice
and is perceived as a cycle (Nelson & Staggers, 2014). The first stage is discovery that
represents the process of research. The second stage is evidence summary that outlines
evidence development. The third stage is translation used to form clinical procedures,
protocols and practice guidelines (White & Brown, 2012). The fourth stage is integration that
represents implementation of guidelines and the fifth being the evaluation stage used to
monitor the expected outcomes.
6. Identify four (4) key rules of evidence in research process.
The way researchers collect evidence is usually guided by a given set of rules as outlined
below; validity, currency, sufficiency and authenticity.
7. Briefly describe your duty of care requirements associated with evidence-based practice
(in 50 - 80 words).
Healthcare requires considerable nursing and medical competence and experiences of a life
on a personal level (Walshe & Smith, 2011). Therefore, to ensure the quality of care, there is
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the need for development of skills through training, supervisors, nursing staff and leadership
to facilitate the implementation of EBP activities. One needs to consider the setting and
involve personnel of healthcare who are at the point of care to help choose and priotize
initiatives for safety of patients.
8. In your own words, briefly describe the key differences between evidence-based practice,
continuous quality improvement and research (in 150 – 180 words).
The evidence based practice seeks to translate knowledge with an objective of enhancing the
nursing practice. On the other hand, quality improvement focuses on improving the processes
of patient care as well as outcomes in a particular context of healthcare. It captures the
combined and unrelenting efforts of everyone, that is, planners, researcher, patient and their
families, professional in healthcare, payers and educators. On the other hand, evidence based
practice adopts a lifelong approach by nursing professionals to clinical practice through a
systematic research, its synthesis and appraisal, patient values and preferences. For example,
the exercise of implementing a new (EBP) clinical guidelines at facility with the goal of
reducing or preventing extravasation of chemotherapy for patients getting vesicant therapy.
The projects of quality improvement (QI) do not engage extensive reviews of literature and
are specifically for one facility. For example, assessment and implementation of policies for
removal of urinary catheter with an objective of achieving it within a definite time period.
9. In your own words, briefly describe three (3) ways a researcher could use to evaluate the
validity of information sources (in 120 – 150 words).
The researcher should at the following aspects; relevance, currency, accuracy, authenticity
and purpose. The researcher proceeds to determine the author of the information source. One
evaluates the author’s credentials. For instance, if he/ she is recognized in the field as an
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expert and whether they represent an organization. The next step is to establish how the
source obtains its information by looking at the references provided to ensure that they are
reliable. The third step is fact checking the provided information if the source found by the
researcher do not have any references.
10. Outline the steps involved in a research process.
a) Identify the problem
b) Review the literature
c) Clarifying the problem
d) Define clearly the terms and concepts
e) Define the population
f) Developing the instrumentation plan
g) Collecting data
h) Analysing data
11. In your own words, briefly describe three (3) cultural considerations for research (in 40-
70 words).
The researcher should consider the sensitivity of cultural practices and customs of a given
population being researched on. It helps to connect with community members emotionally
and culturally. The other aspect is their language in order to identify with the subjects in the
field. The third aspect is their values and beliefs to create rapport.
12. In your own words, briefly describe three (3) ethical considerations for research.
a) Informed consent- seeks to protect the right to autonomy of subjects.
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b) Respect for confidentiality and anonymity- the subject’s identity is not linked with
individual responses.
c) Respect for privacy- the subject determines the circumstances for sharing private
information.
13. Provide an example for how you would use each of the following processes to support
analysis of information you gathered as part of your research.
a. Comparing and contrasting: the prevalence of HIV/AIDS spread among the young and
aged people in Africa in 2018 to establish the existing similarities and differences.
b. Challenging: evaluating the possible ways of adopting new practices in physiotherapy as
dictated by findings.
c. Reflecting: considering the implications of gained experience in mental health in relation
to research findings on trends in the same.
d. Distinguishing relevant from irrelevant: the leading causes of infant mortality and would
be more relevant than malnutrition based on the intensity of their importance.
e. Drawing interdisciplinary connections: evaluating the application of engineering
knowledge in nursing practices like in chemotherapy.
14. Briefly describe how you will assess the strength, relevance, reliability and currency of
the information you gathered during a research process.
a. Assessing the strength of information: by looking at the tone of language used to prepare
the information. Positive tone depicts strong intensity of information.
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b. Assessing the relevance of information: by evaluating the relationship of the information
with the interest of the research problem.
c. Assessing the reliability of information: by evaluating the credentials of the author and
authenticity of the source.
d. Assessing the currency of information: by determining when the information was
published or lastly updated.
15. Briefly describe how you will assess the feasibility, benefits and risks associated with the
information you gathered during a research process.
a. Assessing the feasibility of information: by looking at its previous application in a research
setting.
b. Assessing the benefits of information: by conducting potential-based analysis of the
information.
c. Assessing the risks associated with information: by evaluating the shortcomings of the
information source.
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References
Barker, J., 2009. Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses. s.l.:SAGE.
Clamp, C., Gough, S. & Land, L., 2005. Resources for Nursing Research An Annotated Bibliography. 4
ed. s.l.:London SAGE Publications Ann Arbor, Michigan ProQuest.
Dang, D. & Dearholt, S., 2018. Johns Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice : model and guidelines.
3 ed. Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International.
Ellis, P., 2016. Evidence-based practice in nursing. 3 ed. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications
; London : Leaning Matters.
Glasziou, P., Aronson, J. K. & Irwig, L., 2008. Evidence-based medical monitoring : from principles to
practice. Malden, Mass ; Oxford: Blackwell Pub./BMJI Books.
Nelson, R. & Staggers, N., 2014. Health informatics : an interprofessional approach. St. Louis, Mo:
Elsevier Mosby.
Parahoo, K., 2014. Nursing Research.. s.l.:Palgrave Macmillan.
Rycroft-Malone, J. & Bucknall, T., 2010. Models and frameworks for implementing evidence-based
practice : linking evidence to action.. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
Tilley, S. & Watson, R., 2004. Accountability in nursing and midwifery. 2 ed. Oxford ; Malden, Mass:
Blackwell Science.
Walshe, K. & Smith, J., 2011. Healthcare Management. 2 ed. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Education.
White, K. M. & Brown, S. D., 2012. Translation of evidence into nursing and health care practice. New
York: Springer Pub. Co.
Wolters-Kluwer & Williams, L., n.d. Essentials of Nursing Research, 7th Edition, Polit & Beek, 2010:
Essentials of Nursing Research. 7 ed. s.l.:Bukupedia.
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