The practice of research requires clear planning, focus, and intention. Additionally, the analysis of potential barriers, gaps, and issues is crucial in ensuring the research is not only effective, but beneficial to solving issues or problems within an organization or practice. Research cannot begin without an analysis and evaluation of how and why the research will be performed.

Throughout this week, you will focus on the importance of data gathering as it applies to nursing research and practice, the implementation science of nursing research, and evaluation of gaps and barriers in the research process. Through your small nursing informatics project, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate not only the importance of research in nursing practice, but also the importance of planning for the research.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Evaluate issues with Big Data for nursing research and practice
• Analyze barriers for implementation of nursing research
• Analyze gaps between evidence-based approaches and the research process
• Analyze application of change theory and systems thinking to healthcare organizations and nursing practice
• Evaluate theories and models related to change theory and systems thinking for nursing research
• Identify responsibility roles in a small nursing informatics project*
• Develop a change management plan for a small nursing informatics project*
• Develop a risk management plan for a small nursing informatics project*

* Assigned in Week 4 of Module 2 and submitted in Week 5 of Module 3

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Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

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Discussion 1: Implementation Science

• Never have we had vast amounts of data at our fingertips like we do today. However, before we can meaningfully access and use data for interpretation, it must be transformed. To derive meaning from the data collected, you need to understand that data collection is rapidly changing and constantly evolving. The methods with which data is collected, analyzed, and used to justify, support, or lend credibility to research aims, are all important considerations for the nurse researcher. As it relates to Big Data, the methods of how data is collected, analyzed, and used for implementation is also important. While the availability of data collection certainly has its advantages, many researchers point to the concerns over Big Data.

• Photo Credit: NicoElNino / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

For this Discussion, reflect on your understanding of Big Data and the implications for implementation. Consider the impact of research as it relates to collection via Big Data and consider how this impact might lead to potential barriers in implementation and practice gaps. Reflect on your experience and consider how these key issues might impact nursing practice.

To Prepare

• Review the Learning Resources for this week, focusing specifically on the implementation science articles and web resources.
• Consider the issues related to research and Big Data.

By Day 3 of Week 4

Post and describe what you believe is most significant as a key issue with Big Data in which dissertation research has been completed, yet the data has not been analyzed or implemented.

• Please cite specific examples of research that was completed with potential for great social impact but was not implemented.
• What are some potential barriers for implementing the research analyzed?
• What potential gaps exist between evidence-based approaches and the research process?

By Day 5 of Week 4

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days. Expand upon your colleague’s posting or offer an alternative perspective on how Big Data might affect research or the barriers with research implementation.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 4 Discussion 1 Rubric

Post by Day 3 of Week 4 and Respond by Day 5 of Week 4

To Participate in this Discussion:

Week 4 Discussion 1

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Discussion 2: Application of Theories in Project Management

• The importance of utilizing a theoretical framework in a dissertation study cannot be stressed enough. The theoretical framework is the foundation from which all knowledge is constructed (metaphorically and literally) for a research study. It serves as the structure and support for the rationale for the study, the problem statement, the purpose, the significance, and the research questions. The theoretical framework provides a grounding base, or an anchor, for the literature review, and most importantly, the methods and analysis.
  —Grant & Osanloo, 2014

• Photo Credit: NicoElNino / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

There are many theories that apply to project management as well as the dissertation process; therefore, it is important to understand the theories to determine which might most apply to your nursing practice and research. The specific theories and models utilized not only drive a study, but they also shape how the reviewer will interpret the results.

For this Discussion, you will explore various theories or models related to change theory and systems thinking in your healthcare organization or nursing practice. You will consider how the tenets of these theories might apply to your organization and practice, as well as consider how these theories might solve potential practice gaps.

Reference:

Grant, C., & Osanloo, A. (2014). Understanding, selecting, and integrating a theoretical framework in dissertation research: Creating the blueprint for your “house.” Administrative Issues Journal, 4(2), 12–26. doi:10.5929/2014.4.2.9

To Prepare

• Review this week’s Lewin’s change theory media resource.
• Consider the importance of change theory, as well as reflect on the application of these theories to your healthcare organization or nursing practice.
• Research and select two additional theories or models related to change theory and systems thinking to focus on for this Discussion.

By Day 4 of Week 4

Post a response to each of the following:

• Describe the importance and application of Change Theory and Systems Thinking for healthcare organizations and nursing practice. Be specific.
• List two additional theories or models that you selected and explain how these might be applied in research. Be specific and provide examples.
• Explain how theories and models provide a framework to guide projects, including your DNP Project or dissertation.

By Day 6 of Week 4

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days. Expand upon your colleague’s posting or offer an alternative perspective on the role of change theory and system thinking.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 4 Discussion 2 Rubric

Post by Day 4 of Week 4 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 4

To Participate in this Discussion:

Week 4 Discussion 2

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Assignment: Developing a Small Nursing Informatics Project for Your Organization, Part 1 (Continued)

• You will use project management tools and strategies to propose how you would support and potentially implement a small nursing informatics project. While you may not have the opportunity to implement this proposed project, this project will allow you to apply the skills needed and the considerations that are required in deducing how a project of this scope might take place in your nursing practice. To complete this project, you will define a small informatics project that would be beneficial to your healthcare organization or nursing practice. You can discuss this with upper leadership, in your practice or organization, explaining that you will need to design, plan, and propose how to implement and evaluate a small informatics project that can be completed within a 9-week time frame during this course. This project will be completed in two parts.

• Photo Credit: auremar / Adobe Stock

This week, you will continue working on the Scope, Charter, and SWOT Analysis that you have been working on throughout the last three weeks.

For Week 4, complete the following:

• RACI (responsibility chart) which outlines who will be responsible for which tasks, if working with a team. An example can be found in the Sipes text on pages 102–103.
• Communication plan – Include documentation of all communications, status reports, changes made, next steps, especially if others will be responsible for helping you acquire documents such as IRB site documents if applicable. An example can be found in the Sipes text on page 109 and on pages 141–143.
• Change management plan – Document all changes as they occur (e.g., meetings moved, revisions of drafts of project, due dates moved due to changes, changes in scope of project, change in team members). An example can be found in the Sipes text on pages 106, 108, 138 and on pages 156–157.
• Risk management plan – After viewing the “Risk Analysis How to Analyze Risks on Your Project” media piece in this week’s Learning Resources, document the impact of COVID-19 on current processes and potential for change. Be sure to also document how risk may be mitigated if possible. An example can be found in the Sipes text on pages 103–105.

By Day 7 of Week 5

These four planning documents will be added to the six design and planning documents from Weeks 1–4. Please ensure you keep current/updated all documents as you develop this project.

You are not required to submit this assignment this week.

Note: You will need to update your Part 1 submission, incorporating Instructor feedback before the Final Project submission in Week 9.

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What’s Coming Up in Module 3?

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

In the next module, you will continue your examination of nursing informatics and the role of technology. You will focus specifically on the impact of data science and digital medicine, while continuing to develop your small nursing informatics project.

Next Module