Research Self-Study Educational Series

Essentials of Science: Methods, Appraisal and Utilization

Purpose

Nurses are developing the scientific body of knowledge relating to nursing practice. While not all nurses are interested in conducting a research project of their own, all nurses are expected to read, understand and critically appraise research reports as part of professional practice. In addition, nurses are expected to utilize the results of scientific studies to improve patient care. The purpose of this educational series is to assist nurses to be consumers of nursing research, to evaluate the adequacy of research findings in terms of its scientific merit, and to consider its potential for utilization in evidence-based nursing practice.

Objective

By the completion of the series, the participant will be able to:

1. Describe how research is different from other types of projects such as program evaluation and quality initiatives.
2. Describe each step in the research process.
3. Identify resources for further developing research skills at each step in the process.

Research Self-Study Educational Series

• Part 0 of 20: Nursing Research Series Introduction and Instructional Tutorial

• Part 1 of 20: What Is Science and What Are Its Essentials?
  Handout (PDF, 350 KB)

• Part 2 of 20: Overview of the Scientific Process
  Handout (PDF, 139 KB)

• Part 3 of 20: Review of the Literature
  Handout (PDF, 398 KB)

• Part 4 of 20: Development of a Research Problem and Question
  Handout (PDF, 337 KB)

• Part 5 of 20: Conceptual Framework, Models and Theories: Their Relationship to the Research Process.
  Handout (PDF, 194 KB)

• Part 6 of 20: Research Aims, Purpose, Hypotheses
  Handout (PDF, 246 KB)

• Part 7 of 20: Variables: What You Are Measuring
  Handout (PDF, 176 KB)

• Part 8 of 20: Qualitative Research Design
  Handout (PDF, 229 KB)

• Part 9 of 20: Quantitative Research Designs: Descriptive
  Handout (PDF, 256 KB)

• Part 10 of 20: Quantitative Research Designs: Interventional
  Handout (PDF, 302 KB)

• Part 11 of 20: Population Samples and Sampling Descriptions
  Handout (PDF, 513 KB)

• Part 12 of 20: Data Collection: Validity and Reliability
  Handout (PDF, 231 KB)

• Part 13 of 20: Data Collection Techniques
  Handout (PDF, 199 KB)

• Part 14 of 20: Making Decisions about Data Analysis
  Handout (PDF, 373 KB)

• Part 15 of 20: Issues in Protocol Implementation: Accountability and Responsibilities
  Handout (PDF, 290 KB)

• Part 16 of 20: Research Ethics and the IRB
  Handout (PDF, 200 KB)

• Part 17 of 20: Translating Knowledge Into Practice
  Handout (PDF, 153 KB)

• Part 18 of 20: Writing a Final Abstract of the Study
  Handout (PDF, 370 KB)

• Part 19 of 20: Getting Published: How to Prepare an Article
  Handout (PDF, 259 KB)

• Part 20 of 20: Outcomes Research and Evaluating Change in Nursing Practice
  Handout (PDF, 134 KB)

• Supplemental: Research Investigator

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