Research Problems & Literature Reviews

Common erros in background

-Failure to develop consistent link b/w research problem, research purpose & scientific q's, hypotheses -Failure to provide info to fulfill important purposes of these sections -Failure to adequately reference statements -Use of 2ndary sources and out of date references

Research Purpose Statement

-More specific than research problem -Specific aim or goals of this study -"The purpose of this study was..." -Can be at end of intro or end of lit review

Theoretical Framework

-Not always present in a study but when present should form the framework on which the study is "hung". -Should be explicitly stated in intro -Guide understanding of relationships among concepts in the study -Can be nursing or non-nursing theory/framework

Quantitative Research

-Purpose statement often proposes the relationship b/w variables

Which research question is most correctly stated? a. Is there a relationship b/w bladder catheterization and urinary infection? b. Do patients need sexual counseling after hysterectomies? c. Is early discharge related to problems? d. What is the relationship b/w the dependency level of renal transplant patients and their rate of recovery?

d. What is the relationship b/w the dependency level of renal transplant patients and their rate of recovery? -Very specific as to what the research hopes to find out, focused

What is the INDEPENDENT variable in the following: The study seeks to examine the relationship b/w visitor frequently and the amount of somatic complaints of nursing home residents a. Visitor frequency b. Somatic complaints c. Nursing home residents d. Unable to determine

A. Visitor frequency **Could technically be A or B depending on how you read the question

Example: What is the relationship between delayed menses and body image in the adolescent female? -Conceptual and Operation definition of body image

Body Image -Conceptual Definition: the perceptions, beliefs, and expectations an individual holds w/ respect to his/her body's structure, function and appearance -Operation DefinitionL body image will be measures by scores from a test and a scale

Background Section

Broad & general description of a health concern derived from theory or practice -based on costs of problem: financial, emotional, social -Established relevancy of problem for health care -Should begin to narrow problem to a specific purpose

What is the DEPENDENT variable in the following? What is the relationship b/w delay menses and body image in the adolescent female? a. Adolescence b. Delayed menses c. Body Image d. Female

C. Body image ** This could be either B or C depending on how you read the question

Dependent Variable

Consequence or presumed effect (this one is not manipulated, it's what is affected)

Primary Source

Consists of info as originally written

Introduction of a Research Report

First section of a research report -Includes: background, intro, problem, theoretical framework, literature review -Should provide a broad context or rationale for problem, define problem, summarize what is already known about the problem

Conceptual Definition

General meaning of the concept, reflects the theory used -how you define the word

Operation Definition

How variable will be measured -Found in the instruments or measures section of article

Final Purpose Statement

Information about what the researcher intends to do -Info on subjects -Info about setting

Variable

Measurable characteristic that varies among subjects being studied

Research Questions

Should be concise, interrogative statements -used when purpose is to describe variables, examine relationships, determine differences -Should indicatie that topic is researchable

Nondirectional Hypothesis

Some type of relationship exists

Secondary Source

Someone else's description of a primary source

Hypothesis

Statements about the relationship b/w 2 or more variables that suggests an answer to a research question -Purpose: guide scientific inquiry, provide direction for research design, framework for reporting results

Literature Review

Synthesis and critical evaluation of the lit that describes what is known or has been studied regarding the particular research question -Report will include a written discussion in the first part of article -Written discussion includes: weaknesses, strengths, conflicts, gaps -Identifies what is known about problem, when it was studied, where it was studied, etc. -Consists mostly of primary resources and further makes case for why research is needed

Directional Hypothesis

Trying to figure out which direction the relationship will go

Independent Variable

Variable that has presumed effect on the dependent variable (causes the change)

Which hypotheses are DIRECTIONAL? a. Older nurses are less likely to express approval of the CNL role than younger nurses b. There is a relationship between the age of a nurse and approval of the CNL role c. The older the nurse, the less likely it is that she or he will approve of the CNL role d. Older nurses will differ from younger nurses with respect to approval of the CNL role e. There is no difference b/w younger and older nursed in their attitude toward the CNL role

a. Older nurses are less likely to express approval of the CNL role than younger nurses c. The older the nurse, the less likely it is that she or he will approve of the CNL role e. There is no difference b/w younger and older nursed in their attitude toward the CNL role

What is the INDEPENDENT variable in the following: The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a special intervention based in an outpatient clinic Chicago hospital in improving the health outcomes of a group of pregnant teens a. Special intervention b. Health outcomes c. Pregnant teens d. Outpatient clinic

a. Special Interventions *Health outcomes is the dependent variable

"Adolescent patients with type I diabetes who receive instruction on a individual basis will have a greater treatment adherence than those who receive instruction in a group setting" -This hypothesis is: a. directional b. non-directinal c. Null d. untestable

a. directional

A review of the literature serves all of the following functions EXCEPT: a. discussion the data analysis plan b. expanding or further defining the problem statement c. helping establish the theoretical base d. identifying previously studied relationships b/w variables

a. discussion the data analysis plan

On pg. 93, Jones et. al. writes "Horvath (2003) found that patients having increased....". In Jones et. al.'s study, Horvath's work is a: a. Theoretical framework b. Primary Source c. Secondary Source d. Conceptual model

b. Primary Source

The purpose of an OPERATIONAL definition is to: a. assign numerical values to variables b. specify how a variable will be measured c. state the expected relationship b/w variable under a study d. designate the overall plan by which the research will be conducted

b. specify how a variable will be measured

"This study was undertaken to determine whether alternate sites were effective in accomplishing the goals of low-dose heparin therapy and to identify any differences in bruising at the injection site" is an example of a(n): a. Hypothesis b. Assumption c. Purpose statement d. Problem statement

c. Purpose statement

Identify the DEPENDENT variable in the following statement: the older the child, the worse the child's adjustment to chronic illness a. child b. age c. adjustment d. chronic illness

c. adjustment

As a nurse researcher, you are studying the evolution of nursing and read the English translation of a book written by a Russian nurse. The book you read is an example of a(n): a. primary source b. original source c. secondary source d. tertiary source

c. secondary source

"Adolescent patients with type I diabetes who receive instruction on a individual basis will have a greater treatment adherence than those who receive instruction in a group setting" -Identify the INDEPENDENT variable a. Type I diabetes b. treatment adherence c. type of instruction d. adolescent patient

c. type of instruction