Copyright 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams Wil
Copyright 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams Wilkins
Chapter 1 Introduction to Nursing Research in an Evidence-Based Practice Environment
Determine whether the following statement is true or false: Nursing research is systematic inquiry using disciplined methods to solve problems.
Answer: False. Research is systematic inquiry using disciplined methods to solve problems. Nursing research, however, is specifically systematic inquiry aimed at developing knowledge about issues of importance to the nursing profession.
What Is Research? Systematic inquiry using disciplined methods to solve problems.
Nursing research refers to systematic inquiry designed to develop knowledge regarding issues that are pertinent to the nursing field.
Consumer–Producer Continuum refers to nurses who either read and evaluate research reports (consumers) or design and undertake research studies (producers).
Question: Tell whether the following statement is true or false: Producers of research design and undertake studies.
Answer: True. Knowledge of nursing research enhances the professional practice of both consumers (who read and evaluate research) and producers (who design and undertake research).
Contemporary Emphasis in Nursing Research includes:
- Evidence-based practice projects
- Replications of studies
- Research integration through systematic reviews
- Multisite and interdisciplinary studies
- Expanded dissemination efforts
- Increased focus on health disparities
Sources of Evidence for Nursing Practice encompass:
- Tradition
- Authority
- Clinical experience, trial and error, intuition
- Logical reasoning (inductive and deductive)
What Is a Paradigm? A worldview, or a general perspective on the complexities of the real world, with certain assumptions about reality.
Key paradigms for nursing research include:
- Positivist paradigm
- Naturalistic paradigm
What Is the Nature of Reality?
- Positivist assumption: Reality exists; there is a real world driven by natural causes.
- Naturalistic assumption: Reality is multiple and subjective, constructed by individuals.
Question: What occurs in the positivist paradigm?
Answer: Reality is fixed. It is associated with quantitative research and involves objective, controlled measurement of phenomena.
The constructivist paradigm considers reality as not fixed, and it is associated with qualitative research emphasizing subjective, narrative insights.
How Is Knowledge Obtained?
| Positivist | Constructivist |
|---|---|
| Fixed design | Flexible design |
| Discrete, specific concepts | Holistic view |
| Deductive processes | Inductive processes |
| Control over context | Context-bound |
| Verification of hunches | Emerging interpretations |
| Quantitative information | Qualitative information |
| Seeks generalizations | Seeks patterns |
Research Types:
- Basic research: Extends knowledge for the sake of understanding.
- Applied research: Focuses on discovering solutions to immediate problems.
Key Areas in Evidence-Based Practice include:
- Treatment, therapy, or intervention efficacy
- Assessment and diagnosis procedures
- Prognosis and risk factors
- Understanding harm and etiology
- Meaning and process of health phenomena
Paper For Above instruction
Nursing research plays a critical role in advancing the profession by providing systematically obtained knowledge that influences practice, policy, and education. According to Polit and Beck (2021), nursing research is defined as a disciplined inquiry that uses scientific methods to build a body of knowledge pertinent to nursing, ultimately improving patient care and health outcomes. Unlike general research, nursing research emphasizes issues directly relevant to nursing practice, such as patient safety, care quality, and health disparities (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2018).
In the nursing discipline, researchers and practitioners exist along a continuum from consumers to producers of research. Consumers, typically clinicians and nurses engaged in patient care, evaluate research findings to inform clinical decisions (Curtin et al., 2019). Conversely, producer nurses are actively involved in designing, conducting, and disseminating research studies, contributing new evidence to the field (Polit & Beck, 2021). The interplay between these roles fosters an environment where evidence guides practice, and clinical insights inform research questions (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2018).
Contemporary nursing emphasizes evidence-based practice (EBP), which integrates research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences to improve outcomes. This approach has led to increased replication studies, systematic reviews, and multisite research that enhances generalizability and applicability (Sullivan et al., 2020). Furthermore, there is heightened focus on addressing health disparities, ensuring equitable care for diverse populations (Williams et al., 2019). Dissemination efforts through publications, conferences, and digital platforms facilitate the rapid transfer of evidence into practice (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2020).
Sources of evidence in nursing practice include tradition and authority but increasingly rely on empirical data and logical reasoning. Tradition and authority, while historically significant, lack scientific validation and can perpetuate outdated practices (Polit & Beck, 2021). Clinical experience, trial, error, and intuition provide valuable insights but are insufficient as sole evidence sources. Logical reasoning, via inductive and deductive approaches, underpins hypothesis development and decision-making processes (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2018).
A core concept in nursing research philosophy is the paradigm, a worldview that influences how researchers perceive and approach knowledge (Kuhn, 1962). The positivist paradigm is grounded in the assumption that reality exists independently and can be measured objectively through scientific methods (Polit & Beck, 2021). Positivism aligns with quantitative research, emphasizing hypothesis testing, control over variables, and generalizability (Creswell, 2014). In contrast, the naturalistic or constructivist paradigm posits that reality is subjective and constructed through individual perceptions. This paradigm supports qualitative research, fostering a comprehensive understanding of complex social phenomena (Lincoln & Guba, 1985).
The nature of reality differs markedly between paradigms. Positivists believe in an external, fixed reality, whereas naturalists view reality as multiple, fluid, and context-dependent. This fundamental assumption shapes research design, data collection, and interpretation strategies (Polit & Beck, 2021). For knowledge acquisition, positivist studies employ fixed, structured designs aimed at establishing general laws, while constructivist approaches favor flexible, holistic methods that explore patterns and meanings (Creswell, 2014).
In summary, nursing research is an essential component of evidence-based practice, driven by paradigms that shape how knowledge is obtained and applied. The positivist paradigm supports quantitative, hypothesis-driven studies focused on generalizable truths, whereas the naturalistic paradigm enables qualitative research emphasizing the lived experience and contextual understanding. Both paradigms and research types are vital for the ongoing development of nursing science, ultimately contributing to better patient care and health systems improvement (Polit & Beck, 2021).
References
- Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
- Curtin, L., Dwyer, K., & Meyers, S. (2019). Evidence-based nursing practice: What it is, why it matters. Nursing Outlook, 67(3), 271-278.
- Kuhn, T. S. (1962). The structure of scientific revolutions. University of Chicago press.
- LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2018). Nursing research: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice. Elsevier.
- Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.
- Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2020). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. Wolters Kluwer.
- Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2021). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. Wolters Kluwer.
- Sullivan, D. T., et al. (2020). Advances in nursing research: Evolving collaborations and practice implications. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52(2), 120-129.
- Williams, D. R., et al. (2019). Addressing health disparities: The role of nursing research. Nursing Clinics of North America, 54(2), 227-240.