identifying a researchable problem
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Created by Heather Beanlands, PhD, RN. There is no conflict of interest in the creation of this education program. How to Turn a Problem. Identifying a Researchable Problem. Into a Research Project. Research Committee Module #4 1 CNE Available. Objectives. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Identifying aResearchable Problem
Research Committee Research Committee Module #4Module #4
1 CNE Available1 CNE Available
Created by Heather Beanlands, PhD, RN
There is no conflict of interest in the creation of this education program.
Objectives1. Describe the phases of the
research process.2. Identify sources of research
problems.3. Describe the process of
formulating a research problem.
4. Describe the elements of a “researchable” problem.
What is research? A systematic process of inquiry
Goal directed
Focused on uncovering new knowledge to help understand phenomena, answer questions, or address problems
What makes researchnursing research?
Nursing research is
“a scientific process that validates and refines existing knowledge and generates new knowledge, which directly and indirectly influences nursing practice”
(Burns & Grove, 2005, p. 3)
Quantitative Research Used to describe or test relationships among
variables or to evaluate the effect of one variable on another
Variables are “measured” using standard data collection tools and data are numerical (numbers)
Qualitative Research Used when little is known about a phenomenon Focused on developing a rich, holistic description of
phenomena Data are non numerical (i.e., dialogue, observation,
etc.)
Approaches toresearch in nursing
Phases of the research process
(Norwood, 2000)
Thinking-identifyingproblem & purpose-reviewing literature Planning
-Choosing study design & planning approach to sample, data collection etc.
Implementing- Recruiting participants & collecting data
Analyzing- analyze data and interpret findings
Informing-disseminating results (journal articles, presentations etc.)
Identifyingthe research problem
Critical first step in research process Directs the entire research process and
decisions you will make Being clear about the problem you wish
to address will assist in focusing your study
Start with a broad area of interest/concern which is gradually refined until you have a research problem
Steps in identifyinga research problem
5. Identify the purpose for your study
4. Identify a research problem
3. Narrow your topic
1. Outline areas of interest
2. Choose a topic
Observe your environment
Be curious
Ask questions
Read about your interests
Talk to your Colleagues
Find out what others are doing
Areas of Interest Start with an area you are familiar with Begin broadly and think of things that
interest you in your practice• What do you find frustrating?
Perplexing? • What do you think works well?
What could be improved? Be creative and try to “think outside the
box” Brainstorm about general areas of interest Write down all your thoughts and ideas
Potential topics:Some examples
Quality of life after kidney transplant Body image concerns for adolescents
with CKD Role of the multidisciplinary team in
managing stages 1-3 CKD Experiences of people with early CKD Foot care interventions for people
with diabetes on dialysis Safety issues for elderly dialysis
patients
Choosing your topic
1. Significance/relevance: Is this an important problem for nurses/nursing practice? Is it timely?
2. Gaps: What is already known about the topic? Have others already examined this issue? Is more research needed?
3. Interest: Is this something you would like to explore further?
Choose one area of interestas a topic you will focus on
To help you select a topic consider:
Narrowing your topic• Refine your topic by becoming more
specific about what you are interested in• Pose some questions about your topic to
help you narrow your focus• Polit & Beck (2008) suggest some question
stems to use to assist in refining your topic– What is going on with….– What is the meaning of…– What influences or causes…– What is the process by which…. – What factors contribute to….– How effective is…..
Narrowing your topic:Choosing a researchable question
• Narrow down the questions you have posed by eliminating those that are not researchable
• According to Brink & Wood (2001) researchable questions are – Focused on fact not opinion – answers will
help to describe or explain a phenomenon– “Now” questions - deal with current,
significant issues– Relevant - Generate useable information– Action oriented - usually require you to do
something and provide direction for the rest of the research process.
Identifyingthe research problem
• To decide on your research problem consider the potentially researchable questions about your topic you identified earlier
• Select one that you would like to explore in more depth
• In choosing your focus consider– Your interests– The literature – Feasibility of studying the problem
Identifying the research problem
Significance“Researchability” Nature of the problem Ethical considerations
Feasibility Time Funding for the study Researcher expertise Availability of participants Availability of facility and equipment
(Polit & Beck 2008))
To finalize the research problem consider:
Identifying the study purpose
• Clear, concise statement of the goal, aim, focus, or objective of the study (Burns & Grove, 2005)
• Should include a description of – “what” = variables or phenomena of
interest– “who” = sample or participants – “where” = setting
Moving from the problem to a research project: Next steps
• Reviewing and critiquing the literature related to your problem– Find out what is known – Identify approaches to studying the problem– Consider theoretical approaches to studying the
problem – Further refine your problem & purpose
• Move to the planning phase of your study
Summary • Identifying a researchable problem is
the first step in the research process and ultimately guides the remaining steps.
• Research problems describe knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to understand or improve practice.
• Research problems can be derived from observations, dialogue with others, and/or the literature.
Summary (cont.)• A good research problem is relevant, current
and “researchable.”• Choose a problem that is of interest to you.• Identifying a “researchable” problem is a
creative process that requires time for reflection.
• Seeking input from others and referring to the literature will help to narrow your problem down.
• A clear and focused problem statement provides direction for the next steps of the research process - the planning phase.
Area of interest• The number of adults over 65 on
dialysis is growing • Aging is often associated with
physical and mental changes that may put older persons’ safety at risk
• Physiological and psychosocial stressors associated with dialysis may also place people at risk for safety concerns
• Elderly people on dialysis may therefore be particularly vulnerable to safety issues.
Narrowing the topic• Consider the potential topic “Safety
issues among elderly on dialysis”• Take a minute and brainstorm
questions about this topic • What do you think needs to be known
about this topic? • Write down everything that comes to
mind - don’t rule anything out at this point
Safety issues for elderly on dialysis:
1. Is safety an important concern for elderly on dialysis?
2. What are the common safety issues for elderly on dialysis?
3. Are there different safety issues for elderly on peritoneal versus hemodialysis?
4. How common are falls in elderly dialysis patients? What factors contribute to falls?
5. Should nurses assess safety issues among elderly dialysis patients?
Example Questions
Identifying researchable problems
In reviewing the questions from the previous slide • Question # 2 “ What are the common safety
issues for elderly on dialysis?” was selected as the focus.
• Questions # 3 & 4 have potential but may require us to answer question 2 first.
• Questions # 1 and 5 were excluded because they elicit “yes/no” answers or opinion and therefore are not researchable.
What are the safety concerns among
elderly on dialysis?
Research focusing on safety of various medications and dialysis delivery methods among all age groups
No literature was found that examined safety concerns unique to older people on dialysis
Therefore, this was identified as a potential gap in the literature and a decision was made to
continue to focus on this problem
A brief review of the literature focusingon “safety” “dialysis” and “elderly” uncovered
What are the safety concerns among
elderly on dialysis? To focus your topic further pose additional questions to help you be clear on what you are interested in. For example:
– What is meant by safety concerns?– How do you define “elderly”?– Whose perspective are you interested in the patient?
Family? Nurses? Other health care professionals?– Are you interested in safety issues in the dialysis
unit? At home? – Are you interested in safety concerns for elderly on
all forms of dialysis?
Problem statement & purpose• Elderly patients on dialysis may be at
increased risk for physical injury while at home as result of the aging process and the consequences of CKD and dialysis.
• However, little is known about safety concerns for elderly individuals on dialysis who live at home
• Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore concerns that individuals over 65 on all forms of dialysis have about their safety while at home.
ReferencesBurns, N., & Grove, S. (2005). The practice of
nursing research: Conduct, critique and utilization (5th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders.
Leedy, P., & Ormrod, J.E. (2005). Practical research: Planning and design (8th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Norwood, S. (2000). Research strategies for advanced practice nurses. New Jersey: Prentice Hall
ReferencesPolit, D., & Beck, C.T. (2008). Nursing
Research: Generating and asssessing evidence for practice (8th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Wood, M., & Ross-Kerr, J. (2006). Basic steps in planning nursing research: From question to proposal (6th ed.). Boston: Jones and Bartlett.