How do we improve the world around us? How might we improve the practice of nursing and the care we give our patients? Consider how the role of research may answer these two questions. Analyzing, evaluating, and experimenting is the driving force behind research, and research, can be the driving force towards positive change.

“With the rapid development of medical technology, the intensified severity and complexity of diseases, and emphasis on patient‐centered care, clinical nurses are facing increasingly complex and demanding conditions in the clinical practice” (Chen et al., 2020). Thus, nurses will find themselves with an increased need to utilize research in their practice. As a future DNP-prepared nurse, you will likely find yourself asking questions based on your experiences and observations. These in turn may be used in formulating a research problem and purpose as your first step in answering these questions.

This week, you will have the opportunity to practice these skills. You will select a research topic of interest and will develop a problem statement. You will identify your study variables and develop a hypothesis. You will have the opportunity to analyze how this problem statement may impact society or the use of evidence-based research to effect positive nursing practice changes. You will also examine potential ethical considerations in relation to your research problem statement.

Reference: Chen, Q., Liu, D., Zhou, C., & Tang, S. (2020). Relationship between critical thinking disposition and research competence among clinical nurses: A cross‐sectional study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29 (7–8), 1332–1340. doi:10.1111/jocn.15201

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Formulate a research problem statement
• Identify study variables related to a problem statement
• Analyze ethical considerations in relation to research problem statements
• Develop hypotheses related to a problem statement
• Analyze how research problem statements contribute to positive nursing practice changes

Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

Discussion: Starting the Research Process

• You are a pediatric nurse working with a facility to increase awareness and understanding concerning childhood immunizations. You notice there is a lack of understanding from parents about the benefit of these immunizations, and you begin to consider how you might research ways to improve immunization rates. You develop a research problem statement and begin to examine the research purpose for possible solutions.
  As outlined in the scenario, a research problem statement identifies an area of need in which there is a gap in knowledge or practice, and interest by a nurse researcher. Either from a hypothetical or real-world experience, nursing research problem statements help to focus the research purpose and guide the study of the problem.

• Photo Credit: [kaan tanman]/[E+]/Getty Images

For this Discussion, you will develop your own research problem statement on a topic of interest to you. Reflect on your personal and academic experiences to consider which research problem you might address.

To Prepare:

• Review the Learning Resources regarding research problem statements and consider how you might formulate a research problem statement.
• Reflect on your personal, professional, and academic experiences to identify a topic of interest to focus on for developing a research problem statement
• Consider what study variables and hypothesis would support your research problem statement.
• Consider any ethical considerations that you should keep in mind in relation to your research problem statement.
• Consider how the selected research problem might contribute to positive nurse practice changes.

By Day 3 of Week 2

Post a proposed research problem statement, including your study variables and hypothesis to make your problem statement clear. Explain any ethical considerations you should keep in mind in relation to your research problem statement. Then, explain how addressing this research problem may bring about positive nursing practice change. Be specific and provide examples.

By Day 6 of Week 2

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by providing specific feedback and critiquing their problem statement using the following criteria (Gray & Grove, 2020):

• 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?

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 2 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 of Week 2 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 2

To Participate in this Discussion:

Week 2 Discussion

What’s Coming Up in Module 2?

• Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

In the next module, you will identify the purpose and use of quantitative research methods. You will examine data, specifically looking at collecting and analyzing quantitative research.