Starting the Healthcare Research Process

Problem Statement

 

Formulating a problem statement is essential before conducting any research (Ratan et al., 2019). The purpose of formulating a research question is to examine areas of concern in practice that require focus and further investigation (Ratan et al., 2019). As a future DNP-prepared nurse, it is crucial to learn how to appropriately formulate a problem statement to focus on our topic of interest and understand what is being studied.

My problem statement is “Effective strategies in reducing nursing turnovers and increasing nursing staff satisfaction”. Increasing nursing staff turnover is a concern in healthcare globally (Halter et al., 2017). Several factors contribute to increased turnover for nurses, including workforce age, workload burnout, increasing violence in healthcare, career, and family (Haddad et al., 2020). This topic was recently brought up in our town hall meeting. As I go further in my career and as a future DNP-prepared nurse, I would like to find possible solutions to improve staff satisfaction effectively and decrease or even eradicate high turnaround for our present and future generation nurses.

Study Variables and Hypothesis

 

A variable is a component of a given sample or population that is unique and is measurable by quantity or quality (Kaliyadan & Kulkarni, 2019). Some study variables include inpatient and outpatient nursing workload, pay expectations, and management support in my topic of interest. Some hypotheses that come to mind regarding my topic are deliverance of safe and quality care, nurse safety, increased staff satisfaction leading to reduced turnovers, and increased staff retention.

Ethical Considerations

 

Ethics are moral principles that rule how an individual or group of individuals behaves (Haddad & Geiger, 2021). The Code of Ethics governs nurses. In my topic of interest, I would like to consider and reiterate the ethical consideration on compassion, respect of each other, and that our primary commitment is to our patients and ensuring that they are safe and protected.

 

Positive implications to Practice

 

There are several benefits and favorable implications of finding effective strategies in reducing nursing turnovers and increasing retention. These include improved quality of care, patient safety, staff satisfaction, and nurse safety (Jones & Gates, 2007). If these strategies are implemented and are effective, it is not impossible to improve the quality of care and nurse satisfaction to improve or completely eradicate nursing shortages globally.

Reference

 

Haddad LM, Annamaraju P, Toney-Butler TJ. Nursing Shortage. [Updated 2020 Dec 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175/

Haddad LM, Geiger RA. Nursing Ethical Considerations. [Updated 2021 Aug 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526054/

Halter, M., Pelone, F., Boiko, O., Beighton, C., Harris, R., Gale, J., Gourlay, S., & Drennan, V. (2017). Interventions to Reduce Adult Nursing Turnover: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews. The open nursing journal, 11, 108–123. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874434601711010108

Jones, C., Gates, M., (September 30, 2007) “The Costs and Benefits of Nurse Turnover: A Business Case for Nurse Retention” OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Vol. 12 No. 3, Manuscript 4. 10.3912/OJIN.Vol12No03Man04

Kaliyadan, F., & Kulkarni, V. (2019). Types of Variables, Descriptive Statistics, and Sample Size. Indian dermatology online journal, 10(1), 82–86. https://doi.org/10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_468_18

Ratan, S. K., Anand, T., & Ratan, J. (2019). Formulation of Research Question – Stepwise Approach. Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons, 24(1), 15–20. https://doi.org/10.4103/jiaps.JIAPS_76_18

Starting the Research Process

Starting the Healthcare Research Process: Formulating a specific, applicable research problem statement is an important step in beginning a research process. The problem statement defines the focus of the research study, dictates what methods and tools will be used, and sets the stage for all subsequent elements of the research process. Because of this, it is necessary to put a great deal of thought into the problem statement to ensure that the rest of the research process will be well planned and appropriate to the problem at hand.

This week’s Discussion asks you to identify evidence-based practice problems that can be addressed using quantitative research methods. Based on the practice problem you select, formulate a quantitative research problem statement. In this Discussion, you are also given the opportunity to evaluate your colleagues’ problem statements. Please refer to this week’s Learning Resources for appropriate and scholarly examples of research problem statements and how they inform the rest of the research process.

To prepare for Starting the Healthcare Research Process:

• Determine      a nursing practice problem that is of interest to you and that is      appropriate for a quantitative research study. Note: You      will continue to use this problem in the Discussions over the next several      weeks.
• Using      the Walden Library and other credible sources, locate and read two or      three articles that address your practice problem. (you must      cite the articles read in this assignment)
• With      your practice problem in mind, review the Learning Resources and media      presentations focusing on the strategies presented for generating a      research problem statement.
• Ask      yourself: What is the importance of my practice problem to nursing,      research, and theory? How might addressing this problem bring about      positive social change? How will investigating this problem support      evidence-based practice?

By Tomorrow, write a minimum of 550 words in APA format with a minimum of 3 references from the list below which include the level one headings as numbered below: 

Post

1) A proposed research problem statement (it has to be related to nursing for example: could be on diabetes, heart failure or more …)

2) Including sufficient information to make your focus clear and explaining how addressing this problem may bring about positive social change.

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Required Media for Starting the Healthcare Research Process

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Research methods for evidence-based practice: Selecting a research topic and developing a hypothesis. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 13 minutes.

In this week’s video, Dr. Leiyu Shi discusses the characteristics of a good research hypothesis and details the steps in developing a hypothesis that can be tested through research.

Laureate Education. (2011). Important events in clinical research history. Retrieved from http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/CLRA/6100/01/mm/timeline/index.html

This timeline identifies and describes key historical events related to the development of clinical research throughout the ages.

Required Readings for Starting the Healthcare Research Process

Gray, J.R., Grove, S.K., & Sutherland, S. (2017). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.

•Chapter 5, “Research Problem and Purpose”

Chapter 5 outlines how to identify and develop a research problem statement, purpose, and research questions. The chapter also provides examples of both quantitative and qualitative research topics, problems, and purpose.

•Chapter 6, “Objectives, Questions, Variables, and Hypothesis”

This chapter explains the different types of hypotheses and assesses how research variables can be used to formulate research objectives in both quantitative and qualitative studies.

•Chapter 10, “Quantitative Methodology: Noninterventional Designs and Methods”

Chapter 10 describes the principles of research design and those foundational concepts that influence the selection of an appropriate quantitative design: causality, bias, manipulation, control, and validity.

•Chapter 11, “Quantitative Methodology: Interventional Designs and Methods”

This chapter builds on the material presented in Chapter 10 and discusses how to select the most appropriate quantitative research design for addressing a particular research problem.

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Select one of the following articles to use for this week’s Starting the Healthcare Research Process Assignment:

Fouquier, K.F. (2011). The concept of motherhood among three generations of African American women. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 43(2), 145–153. (See attached files)

Grey, M., Whittemore, R., Jaser, S., Ambrosino, J., Lindemann, E., Liberti, L., Northrup, V., & Dziura, J. (2009). Effects of coping skills training in school-age children with Type 1 diabetes. Research in Nursing & Health, 32, 405–418. (See attached files)

Methey, N.A., Davis-Jackson, J., & Stewart, B.J. (2010). Effectiveness of an aspiration risk-reduction protocol. Nursing Research, 59, 18–25. (See attached files)

Newhouse, R.P., Morlock. L., Pronovost, P., & Breckenridge-Sproat, S. (2011). Rural hospital nursing: Results of a national survey of nurse executives. Journal of Nursing Administration, 41(3), 129–137. (See attached files)

Handouts

Laureate Education. (2011). Litmus test for a doctoral-level research problem. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Optional Resources

Caress, A., Luker, K., & Chalmers, K. (2010). Promoting the health of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Patients’ and carers’ views. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19(3–4), 564–573.

Mbeba, M. M., N., Jere, D. L., Kachingwe, S. I., Crittenden, K. S., McCreary, L. L., … Norr, K. F. (2011). Peer group intervention reduces personal HIV risk for Malawian health workers. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 43(1), 72–81.

Miller, J., Gaboda, D., Nugent, C., Simpson, T., & Cantor, J. (2011). Parental eligibility and enrollment in state children’s health insurance program: The roles of parental health, employment, and family structure. American Journal of Public Health, 101(2), 274–277.

Su, C., Lu, X., Chen, W., & Wang, T. (2009). Promoting self-management improves the health status of patients having peritoneal dialysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(7), 1381–1389.