What is Research? Research Connection to Practice

What is Research?Research Connection to PracticeNURS 335

ResearchPractice

What is Research?

Basic Researchyoure interested in answering questions (Field, 2009, p. 2)Research Process

Initial ObservationGenerate TheoryGenerate HypothesesCollect DataAnalyze DataDataIdentify VariablesMeasure Variables(Field, 2009)Field, A. (2009). Discovering statistics using SPSS (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Modern Nursing Profession is Based on Research1850sCrimean WarSanitationUsed research and statistics to improve patient outcomes through:Establishing standards of careBathing patientsClean dressingsAdequate dietPsychological needs

Purpose of Nursing Researchto build body of nursing knowledge, thereby promoting improvement in patient outcomes (Cannon & Robinson, 2011, p. 38)Cannon, S., & Robinson, M. (2011). Overview of research. In C. Boswell & S. Cannon (Eds.), Introduction to nursing research: Incorporating evidence-based practice (2nd ed., pp. 33-54). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

Brief History of Nursing ResearchEarly 1900sFocus on nursing education1940sFirst federal support of nursing research in 19461952First nursing research text published1960sFocus on models and frameworks for practice1970sFocus on development of nursing profession1980sEmergence of clinical pathwaysNational Center for Nursing established1990sPublication of IOMs To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health SystemResearch based-practice2000sOutcomes based-practiceEBP

Nursing ResearchSOURCESTYPESAcademiaHealthcare SettingsEducationalClinical

Sources for fundingFederal/Local GovernmentPrivate FoundationsProfessional Organizations

Research CostsMoney

Current Pushes in Nursing ResearchNational Institute of Nursing Research 2011 Strategic PlanEnhance health promotion and disease preventionImprove quality of life by managing symptoms of acute and chronic illnessImprove palliative and end-of-life careEnhance innovation in science and practiceDevelop the next generation of nurse scientists (http://www.nih.gov/about/almanac/organization/NINR.htm)General/Other TopicsGeriatricsInterprofessional Education/ResearchNursing Educational ResearchMixed Methods ResearchEvidence-Based Practice

Connection to Practice Evidence-based Practice. . . EBP is defined as a process of using confirmed evidence (research and quality improvement), decision making, and nursing expertise to guide the delivery of holistic patient care by nurses. (Cannon & Boswell, 2011, p. 6)

Requires evaluating and using evidence

Where does the evidence come from?Cannon, S., & Boswell, C. (2011). Connection between research and evidence-based practice. In C. Boswell & S. Cannon (Eds.), Introduction to nursing research: Incorporating evidence-based practice (2nd ed., pp. 1-31). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

Levels of EvidenceStillwell et al. (2010) described hierarchy of levels of evidence as:Level 1- Systematic review & meta-analysis of RCTs Level 2- One or more RCT Level 3- Controlled trial (no randomization) Level 4- Case control or cohort study Level 5- Systematic review of descriptive & qualitative studies Level 6- Single descriptive or qualitative study Level- 7 Expert opinion

Stillwell, S.B., Fineout-Overholt, E., Melnyk, B.M., & Williamson, K.M. (2010). Searching for evidence: Strategies to help you conduct a successful search. AJN, 110, 41-47.

However . . . Nursing profession uses a broader definition of ways of knowing (besides just scientific/quantitative evidence) to include: (Ferguson & Day, 2005)AestheticPersonalEthicalSociopolitical

Nursing profession also recognizes Mixed Methods research as generating evidence pertinent for nursing practice.Ferguson, L., & Day, R. A. (2005). Evidence-based nursing education: Myth or reality? Journal of Nursing Education, 44, p. 107-115.

Barriers to Using Research & EBPEducationMajority of practicing nurses have an associate degree or diploma

Beliefs/AttitudesNegative attitudes from nursing population

Support/ResourcesUsing research requires time and resources

Summary PointsHeart of research is asking questions and trying to find answers.

Purpose of nursing research is to improve patient outcomes.

There is a connection between research and practice.

Nursing research uses multiple methodologies to generate evidence for nursing practice.

Currently there are barriers in using research and EBP in clinical setting.

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