Nursing Research Methods
NURSING RESEARCH METHODS: COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE |
DEFINITIONS | RESEARCH DESIGNS |APPLIED EXAMPLES | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Page 1 of 18
, Nursing Research Methods
Unit 1: Foundations of Nursing Research
1.1 What Is Nursing Research?
Nursing research is systematic inquiry designed to develop, refine, or expand knowledge
relevant to nursing practice, education, administration, and patient outcomes. It provides
the scientific foundation that distinguishes nursing as a profession from a purely technical
occupation, allowing nurses to justify interventions with evidence rather than tradition or
intuition alone.
The overarching purpose of nursing research is to improve the quality, safety, and
effectiveness of patient care. It does this by generating new knowledge (basic research)
and by testing how existing knowledge performs in real clinical settings (applied/clinical
research).
1.2 Basic vs. Applied Research
● Basic research: conducted to generate or refine theory, often with no immediate
practical application. Example: investigating the physiological mechanism of
pressure-injury formation at the cellular level.
● Applied (clinical) research: conducted to solve practical problems and directly
inform clinical decision-making. Example: comparing two turning schedules to
determine which better prevents pressure injuries in ICU patients.
1.3 The Steps of the Research Process
Although quantitative and qualitative studies differ in execution, most research follows a
recognizable sequence:
1. Identify a researchable problem or clinical question.
2. Review the existing literature to determine what is already known.
3. Select or develop a theoretical/conceptual framework.
4. Formulate a research question, aim, or hypothesis.
5. Choose a research design appropriate to the question.
6. Define the population and select a sampling strategy.
7. Collect data using a valid and reliable method.
8. Analyze the data (statistical or thematic).
9. Interpret findings and discuss clinical implications.
10. Disseminate results through publication, conference presentation, or practice
change.
Page 2 of 18
, Nursing Research Methods
1.4 Research Paradigms
A paradigm is the underlying worldview that shapes how a researcher approaches a
question.
● Positivist paradigm: assumes an objective reality that can be measured; underlies
quantitative research; seeks cause-and-effect relationships and generalizable facts.
● Naturalistic (constructivist) paradigm: assumes reality is subjective and context-
dependent; underlies qualitative research; seeks to understand lived experience and
meaning.
● Pragmatist paradigm: focuses on what works best to answer the question at hand;
underlies mixed-methods research.
Unit 2: Quantitative Research Designs
2.1 Overview
Quantitative research uses numerical data and statistical analysis to describe variables,
examine relationships, or test cause-and-effect. Designs are typically classified along a
continuum of control, from true experiments (highest control) to descriptive studies
(lowest control).
2.2 True Experimental Design
A true experimental design (the randomized controlled trial, or RCT) has three defining
features: manipulation of the independent variable, a control or comparison group, and
random assignment of subjects to groups. This combination allows the strongest inference
that the intervention, and not some other factor, caused the observed effect.
Example: Patients admitted with type 2 diabetes are randomly assigned to receive either a
nurse-led telehealth coaching program or standard discharge teaching; HbA1c levels are
compared at three months.
2.3 Quasi-Experimental Design
Quasi-experimental designs manipulate an independent variable and may include a
comparison group, but lack random assignment. They are common in clinical settings
where randomization is impractical or unethical.
● Nonequivalent control group design: two pre-existing groups (e.g., two hospital
units) are compared, one receiving the intervention.
● Time-series design: a single group is measured repeatedly before and after an
intervention to observe trends.
Example: One medical-surgical unit adopts a new hourly rounding protocol while a similar
unit continues usual care; fall rates are compared over six months.
2.4 Non-Experimental (Observational) Designs
Page 3 of 18
NURSING RESEARCH METHODS: COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE |
DEFINITIONS | RESEARCH DESIGNS |APPLIED EXAMPLES | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Page 1 of 18
, Nursing Research Methods
Unit 1: Foundations of Nursing Research
1.1 What Is Nursing Research?
Nursing research is systematic inquiry designed to develop, refine, or expand knowledge
relevant to nursing practice, education, administration, and patient outcomes. It provides
the scientific foundation that distinguishes nursing as a profession from a purely technical
occupation, allowing nurses to justify interventions with evidence rather than tradition or
intuition alone.
The overarching purpose of nursing research is to improve the quality, safety, and
effectiveness of patient care. It does this by generating new knowledge (basic research)
and by testing how existing knowledge performs in real clinical settings (applied/clinical
research).
1.2 Basic vs. Applied Research
● Basic research: conducted to generate or refine theory, often with no immediate
practical application. Example: investigating the physiological mechanism of
pressure-injury formation at the cellular level.
● Applied (clinical) research: conducted to solve practical problems and directly
inform clinical decision-making. Example: comparing two turning schedules to
determine which better prevents pressure injuries in ICU patients.
1.3 The Steps of the Research Process
Although quantitative and qualitative studies differ in execution, most research follows a
recognizable sequence:
1. Identify a researchable problem or clinical question.
2. Review the existing literature to determine what is already known.
3. Select or develop a theoretical/conceptual framework.
4. Formulate a research question, aim, or hypothesis.
5. Choose a research design appropriate to the question.
6. Define the population and select a sampling strategy.
7. Collect data using a valid and reliable method.
8. Analyze the data (statistical or thematic).
9. Interpret findings and discuss clinical implications.
10. Disseminate results through publication, conference presentation, or practice
change.
Page 2 of 18
, Nursing Research Methods
1.4 Research Paradigms
A paradigm is the underlying worldview that shapes how a researcher approaches a
question.
● Positivist paradigm: assumes an objective reality that can be measured; underlies
quantitative research; seeks cause-and-effect relationships and generalizable facts.
● Naturalistic (constructivist) paradigm: assumes reality is subjective and context-
dependent; underlies qualitative research; seeks to understand lived experience and
meaning.
● Pragmatist paradigm: focuses on what works best to answer the question at hand;
underlies mixed-methods research.
Unit 2: Quantitative Research Designs
2.1 Overview
Quantitative research uses numerical data and statistical analysis to describe variables,
examine relationships, or test cause-and-effect. Designs are typically classified along a
continuum of control, from true experiments (highest control) to descriptive studies
(lowest control).
2.2 True Experimental Design
A true experimental design (the randomized controlled trial, or RCT) has three defining
features: manipulation of the independent variable, a control or comparison group, and
random assignment of subjects to groups. This combination allows the strongest inference
that the intervention, and not some other factor, caused the observed effect.
Example: Patients admitted with type 2 diabetes are randomly assigned to receive either a
nurse-led telehealth coaching program or standard discharge teaching; HbA1c levels are
compared at three months.
2.3 Quasi-Experimental Design
Quasi-experimental designs manipulate an independent variable and may include a
comparison group, but lack random assignment. They are common in clinical settings
where randomization is impractical or unethical.
● Nonequivalent control group design: two pre-existing groups (e.g., two hospital
units) are compared, one receiving the intervention.
● Time-series design: a single group is measured repeatedly before and after an
intervention to observe trends.
Example: One medical-surgical unit adopts a new hourly rounding protocol while a similar
unit continues usual care; fall rates are compared over six months.
2.4 Non-Experimental (Observational) Designs
Page 3 of 18
