Starting the Research Process Assignment
NURS 8200 Week 2: Quantitative Research Designs
NURS 8200 Week 2 Discussion: Starting the Research Process
Starting the 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.
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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.
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To prepare for NURS 8200 Week 2 Discussion: Starting the 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.
- 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 Day 3 of NURS 8200 Week 2 Discussion: Starting the Research Process
Post a proposed research problem statement, including sufficient information to make your focus clear and explaining how addressing this problem may bring about positive social change.
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Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
Problem Statement
“Opioid use disorder has been described as a chronic, difficult to treat, and relapsing condition. Approximately 2.4 million people have an opioid use disorder either due to prescription opioid use or heroin use in the United States” (Stuart, Shorey, France, & Ramsey 2018). Opioid use disorder is the problem that has affected many communities in the United States. Opioid addiction has destroyed many lives and continues to contribute to increasing death rate associated with accidental overdose.
Variables and Hypothesis
According to Andrade 2021, “Variables are defined as characteristics of the sample that are examined, measured, described, and interpreted. Variables vary in value from subject to subject in the study” (p. 177). The independent variables that contribute to risk of opioid addiction are age, education, socioeconomic status, family dynamic, and family history of substance abuse. The dependent variable of opioid addiction includes easy accessibility to illicit drugs, enabling behaviors, poor coping strategies, and lack of awareness. Opioid addicts who adhere to treatment and regularly attend Narcotic Anonymous NA meetings are less likely to relapse through reinforcement of positive coping skills, education, support, and community resources.
Ethical Considerations
The ethical consideration that is essential regarding opioid addiction is patient confidentiality. As mentioned by Noroozi et al 2018, “Confidentiality applies to everything the physician earns in the exercise of his profession; that is to say not only what has been confined to him, but also what he has seen, heard or understood” (p. 881). It is important for the patient’s seeking treatment for detox or rehab to know that their medical record is protected and only to be released upon consent. A breach of patient’s confidentiality can be prevented if the healthcare providers did their due diligence and follow the appropriate protocol demonstrated in their various hospital policies.
Nursing Practice Change
As a detox nurse my main priority is to utilize my knowledge, and skills to improve health promotion in my community. Rising awareness in local community to educate vulnerable population of the consequences of short- and long-term effects opioid addiction. The risk of premature death, and sexually transmitted diseases due to poor judgement under the influence of illicit drugs can significantly impact families. It is important to reach out to young adults via social media Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to promote awareness and inform of community resources available to them. According to McLellan 2017, “The affordable Care Act (ACA) will require the majority of U.S. health plans and healthcare organizations to offer prevention, screening, brief interventions, and other forms of treatment for substance use disorders” (p. 123). A solution for opioid use disorder can be to address the root causes of the addiction, reduce the stigmatization and encourage the development of policies and programs aimed to help those suffering with drug addiction.
References
Andrade C. (2021). A Student’s Guide to the Classification and Operationalization of Variables in the Conceptualization and Design of a Clinical Study: Part 1. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 43(2), 177–179. https://doi.org/10.1177/0253717621994334
McLellan A. T. (2017). Substance Misuse and Substance use Disorders: Why do they Matter in Healthcare?. Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association, 128, 112–130.
Noroozi, M., Zahedi, L., Bathaei, F. S., & Salari, P. (2018). Challenges of Confidentiality in Clinical Settings: Compilation of an Ethical Guideline. Iranian journal of public health, 47(6), 875–883.
Stuart, G. L., Shorey, R. C., France, C. R., Macfie, J., Bell, K., Fortner, K. B., Towers, C. V., Schkolnik, P., & Ramsey, S. (2018). Empirical Studies Addressing the Opioid Epidemic: An Urgent Call for Research. Substance abuse: research and treatment, 12, 1178221818784294. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178221818784294
By Day 6 of NURS 8200 Week 2 Discussion: Starting the Research Process
Respond to at least two of your colleagues, providing specific feedback and critiquing their problem statement using the following criteria (Gray, Grove & Sutherland, 2017):
- Does the problem have professional significance?
- Does the problem have potential or actual significance for society?
- Does the problem have the potential to build or refine evidence-based practice?
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you learned and/or any insights you gained as a result of the comments made by your colleagues.
Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and any additional sources.
Post your responses to the NURS 8200 Week 2 Discussion: Starting the Research Process Discussion based on the course requirements.
Your Discussion postings should be written in standard edited English and follow APA guidelines as closely as possible given the constraints of the online platform. Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and additional scholarly sources as appropriate. Refer to the Essential Guide to APA Style for Walden Students to ensure your in-text citations and reference list are correct.Initial postings must be 250–350 words (not including references).
NURS 8200 Week 2 Assignment 1: Article Critique [Major Assessment 4]
DNP graduates are expected to apply research findings and integrate nursing science into evidence-based practice. To develop your ability to engage in this high level of nursing practice, you will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a research study over the next several weeks using the concepts presented throughout Weeks 1 through 9 of the course. Your final analysis will be a 5- to 7-page paper that includes the following:
- Brief one to two paragraph overview of the study
- Two to three strengths of the study and support for your selection (i.e. why is this a strength)
- Two to three weaknesses of the study and support for your selection (i.e. why is this a weakness)
- Note: The strengths and weaknesses you identified should be in relation to design, sampling, data collection, statistical analysis, results and discussion of the study
- Proposed changes to improve the quality of the study, capitalizing on the strengths and improving on the weaknesses identified in the study
- Summary of the implications for nursing practice
The purpose of the analysis is to help you develop a deeper understanding of the research process, to inspire you to think critically and deeply about research on a specific topic, and to strengthen your ability to integrate research findings into evidence-based nursing practice. This assignment also gives you practice in analyzing the research literature, which will support you when you begin your DNP project. Before you proceed, please review the rubric for this assignment, which is located in the Grading section in the left-hand navigation menu of this course. Keep in mind that you will be working on your article critique throughout Weeks 2 through 9 with your critique due by Day 7 of Week 9.
By Day 7 of Week 9
To prepare for this week’s assignment complete the following:
- Select one of the four research articles cited in this week’s required readings.
- Review the various quantitative research designs presented in the textbook readings and research articles and discussed in the “Musings: Aligning Research Question and Methodology” media.
- Consider the research design used in your selected article. Ask yourself the following questions. Is the design appropriate for the study? Would a different design provide better results?
You are not required to submit this assignment this week.
NURS 8200 Week 2: Quantitative Research Designs
In Week 1, you examined some fundamental differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods. This week beings the in-depth exploration of quantitative research, which will continue through Week 9. This is not to diminish the use of qualitative research methods, which have just as much merit as quantitative methods. Quantitative research, on the other hand, has at least one underlying commonality—some engagement with numerical values. Because of this, there are many general considerations and principles that can be applied to quantitative research.
This week, you consider the characteristics and uses of many different kinds of quantitative research study designs. You also explore various important components of quantitative research, including research problems and questions, hypotheses, and variables. You examine the purpose and significance of conducting a quantitative research study of your choice, formulate a research problem statement, and develop hypotheses related to the research study you selected. These skills in developing quantitative research designs will assist you in analyzing research studies. This week, you begin your article critique; this assignment will give you the opportunity to apply many of the concepts presented throughout Weeks 1 through 9 of the course.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Formulate a research question, testable hypothesis, and appropriate research design for a quantitative research study
- Identify independent and dependent variables
- Evaluate the purpose and significance of a proposed research study that applies to evidence-based practice
Photo Credit: nmlfd/Creatas Video/Getty Images
Learning Resources
Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.
Required Media
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.
SAMPLE
Proposed research problem to impact positive social change
The proposed research problem that this author is working towards approval for is “what assessment tools are recommended in the current literature to identify at-risk patients for suicide?” The reason this author is looking at assessment tools for screening of patients to identify who might be at risk for suicide is that of the many issues with suicidal patients that are changing the way healthcare is delivered in the United States. Since social change is such a part of the nursing metaparadigm meaning that nurses have to ensure that all patient’s regardless of race, sex, and ability to pay have equal access to services (McEwen & Wills, 2014) it is imperative that we treat this at-risk population with the best possible tools. It is estimated by The World Health Organization that over 800,000 people commit suicide yearly worldwide (The World Health Organization, 2018). This number of people makes this a significant social issue not only nationally but worldwide. By placing an emphasis on early identification of these at-risk patients in the emergency departments of several large facilities nationwide, nursing has the ability as the gatekeepers to mental health, to positively impact social change. Since suicide not only impacts the person but also the family, friends, and care-takers that feel helpless by not being able to save the suicide victim. When nursing has the appropriate skills and tools it ensures that their patients receive fair and equitable care.
References
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.
McEwen, M., & Wills, E.M., (2014). Theoretical basis for nursing (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health.
The World Health Organization. (2018). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
Rubric Detail
Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout.
| Exemplary | Proficient | Sufficient | Developing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discussion Postings and Responses |
4 (100%) – 4 (100%)
• Discussion postings and responses are responsive to the requirements of the Discussion instructions and are posted by the due date. • Discussion postings and responses significantly contribute to the quality of interaction by providing rich and relevant examples, applicable research support, discerning ideas, and/or stimulating thoughts/probes and are respectful when offering suggestions, constructive feedback, or opposing viewpoints. • Discussion postings and responses demonstrate an in-depth understanding of concepts and issues presented in the course (e.g., insightful interpretations or analyses, accurate and perceptive parallels, and well-supported opinions) and are well supported, when appropriate, by pertinent research. • Discussion postings and responses provide evidence that the student has read and considered a sampling of colleagues’ postings and synthesized key comments and ideas, as applicable.
|
3 (75%) – 3 (75%)
• Discussion postings and responses are responsive to the requirements of the Discussion instructions and are posted by the due date. • Discussion postings and responses contribute to the quality of interaction by providing examples, research support when appropriate, ideas, and/or thoughts/probes, and are respectful when offering suggestions, constructive feedback, or opposing viewpoints. • Discussion postings and responses demonstrate some depth of understanding of the issues and show that the student has absorbed the general principles and ideas presented in the course, although viewpoints and interpretations are not always thoroughly supported. • Discussion postings and responses provide evidence that the student has considered at least some colleagues’ postings and synthesized some key comments and ideas, as applicable.
|
2 (50%) – 2 (50%)
• Discussion postings and responses are posted by the due date but are not always responsive to the requirements of the Discussion instructions. • Discussion postings and responses do little to contribute to the quality of interaction or to stimulate thinking and learning. • Discussion postings and responses demonstrate a minimal understanding of concepts presented, tend to address peripheral issues, and, although generally accurate, display some omissions and/or errors. • Discussion postings and responses do not provide evidence that the student has considered at least some colleagues’ postings or synthesized at least some key comments and ideas, as applicable.
|
0 (0%) – 1 (25%)
• Discussion postings and responses are posted past the late deadline, defined as 11:59 p.m. on the due date, and/or do not address the requirements of the Discussion instructions. • Discussion postings and responses do not contribute to the quality of interaction or stimulate thinking and learning. • Discussion postings and responses do not demonstrate an understanding of the concepts presented in the course, and/or do not address relevant issues, and/or are inaccurate and contain many omissions and/or errors. • Discussion postings and responses do not provide evidence that the student has read or considered colleagues’ postings, as applicable.
|
| Total Points: 4 |
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