Research Unit III

Unit 03
 Research problem and Sources of

Research problem
 Significance, research ability feasibility,
 Hypothesis and Question in research
 Conceptual and operational definitions
 Process for identifying and locating
research sources
 Literature review
Dileep Kumar
(Post R.N BSN, Dip: CHN)
N/ Instructor, Ilmiya Institute of Nursing,
Karachi
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Research Problem
 A research problem is an enigmatic

(Unknowable), perplexing (Confusing), or
troubling condition.
 A situation in need of a solution or
improvement;
 A discrepancy between the way things are and
the way they ought to be
Topic: Side effects of chemotherapy
Research Problem Nausea & vomiting are common

side effects among patients on chemotherapy, and
interventions to date have been only moderately
successful in reducing these effects. New
interventions that can reduce or prevent these side
effects need to be identified.
2
Research Questions
 Research questions are the specific queries

researchers want to answer in addressing
the research problem.
 Interrogative statements that focus on what
variables or concepts are to be describe and
what relationships might exist among them.
 Research questions guide types of data to
be collected in a study for researchers who
make specific predictions regarding
answers to the research question pose.
For example. What is the relative

effectiveness of patient-controlled
patient antiemetic
therapy versus nurse-controlled
controlled antiemetic
therapy with regard to (a) medication
consumption and (b) control of nausea and
vomiting in patients on chemotherapy?
3
Research Purpose
 A concise, clear statement of the specific aim
or goal of the study
 summary of the overall goal of a study. A
researcher might also identify several
research aims or objectives
For example: The purpose of the study is to test

an intervention to reduce chemotherapy-induced
chemotherapy
side effects—specifically,
specifically, to compare the
effectiveness of patient-controlled
patient and nurse-
administered antiemetic therapy for controlling
nausea and vomiting in patients on
chemotherapy.
Research objectives
 Declarative statements that identify specific

accomplishments the researcher hopes to
achieve
For example: - This study has as its aim the

following objectives. To develop and implement
two alternative procedures for administering
antiemetic therapy for patients receiving moderate
emetogenic chemotherapy (patient controlled
versus nurse controlled);
Why we need research problem
In a research, the research problem
1. Identifies an area of concern for a particular
population.
2. Indicates the significance of the problem
3. Provides a background for the problem
4. Outlines the need for additional study in a
problem statement
Note: Not all published studies include a

clearly expressed problem but the problem
usually can be identified in the 1st or 2nd
paragraph of the article.
Sources of Research Problems
 At the most basic level, research topics

originate with researchers’ interests.
 Research is a time consuming enterprise,
curiosity about and interest in a topic are
essential to a project’s success.
 Explicit (clear) sources that might fuel
researchers’ curiosity include
1. Experience
2. The nursing literature
3. Social issues
4. Theories
5. Ideas from others.
1. Experience and Clinical Fieldwork
 The nurse’s everyday clinical experience is a rich
source of ideas for research problems.
 By performing nursing functions,
 are bound to find a wealth of research ideas
 curious about why things are the way they are?
 how things could be improved if something were to change.
 May be well along the way to developing a research
idea if they ever asked the following kinds of questions:
 Why are things done this way?
 What information would help to solve this problem?
 What is the process by which this situation arose?
 What would happen if ... ?
 For beginning researchers in particular, clinical
experience (clinical coursework) is often most
compelling source for topics.
 Immediate problems that need a solution
 Clinical fieldwork before a study may also help to
identify clinical problems
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2. Nursing Literature
 Ideas for research projects often come from

reading the nursing literature.
 Beginning nurse researchers can profit
from regularly reading nursing journals,
either clinical specialty journals or research
journals
 Articles can be helpful in alerting
researchers to clinical trends and issues of
importance in clinical settings.
 Published research reports may suggest
problem areas
 indirectly by stimulating the imagination
 directly by specifying further areas in need
of investigation
3. Social Issues
 Sometimes, topics are suggested by more
global contemporary (Modern) social or
political issues of relevance to the health care
community.
For example,
1. Feminist movement has raised questions about
such topics as sexual harassment, domestic
violence, and gender equity in health care and
in research.
2. The civil rights movement has led to research
on minority health problems, access to health
care, and culturally sensitive interventions.
 Thus, an idea for a study may stem from

a familiarity with social concerns or
controversial social problems.
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4. Theories
 Major source of research problems lies in the

theories and conceptual schemes that have been
developed in nursing and related disciplines.
 To be useful in nursing practice, theories must
be tested through research for their applicability
to hospital units, clinics, classrooms, and other
nursing environments.
 When researchers decide to base a study on an
existing theory, deductions from the theory must
be developed.
 Essentially, researchers must ask the following
questions:
 If this theory is correct, what kind of behavior
would I expect to find in certain situations or
under certain conditions?
 What kind of evidence would support this
theory?
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5. Ideas from others.
 External sources can sometimes provide the
impetus (force) for a research idea.
 In some cases, a research topic may be given as a
direct suggestion.
 For example, a faculty member may give students
a list of topics from which to choose or may
actually assign a specific topic to be studied
 Often, ideas for studies emerge as a result of a
brainstorming session.
 By discussing possible research topics with peers,
advisers or mentors, Or researchers with advanced
skills, ideas often become clarified and sharpened
or enriched and more fully developed.
 Professional conferences often provide an
excellent opportunity for such discussions.
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Significance of A Research Problem
 An essential factor in selecting a problem to

be studied is its significance to nursing—
nursing
especially to nursing practice.
 Evidence from the study should have the
potential of contributing meaningfully to
nursing knowledge
 The significance of problem and purpose in a
published study need to determine whether
the knowledge generated in the study by;
1. Influences nursing practice (Based on
empirical knowledge or that generated through
research)
2. Builds on previous research
3. Promotes theory testing or development
4. Addresses current concerns or priorities in
nursing
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Examining the Feasibility of A Problem
 Study’s feasibility is determined by examining the
researchers’ expertise; money commitment;
availability of subjects, facilities, and equipment;
and study ethical considerations.
1. Researcher expertise:
 The problem should be chosen from a field about
which investigators have some prior knowledge or
experience.
 Researchers have difficulty in developing a study on a
topic that is totally new and unfamiliar—
unfamiliar although
clinical fieldwork before launching study may make up
for certain deficiencies.
2. Money:
 Studies are influenced by amount of Money available
to research projects according to its nature and
equipment requirements etc.
 The investigator on a limited budget should think
carefully about projected expenses before finalizing.
14
Continue
3. Availability of subjects, facilities, and
equipment:
 In any study involving humans, researchers need to
consider whether adequate individuals with the
desired characteristics will be available and willing
to cooperate.
 It is prudent (sensible) to consider what facilities
and equipment will be needed and whether they
will be available before embarking (get on) on a
project to avoid disappointment and frustration
4. Ethical considerations
The purpose selected for investigation must be
ethical, which means that subjects’ rights and the
rights of others in the setting are protected.
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Hypotheses
 A formal statement of the expected
relationship(s) between two or more
variables in a specified population.
Types of Hypotheses
1. Associated vs. causal
2. Simple vs. complex
3. Non-directional
directional vs. directional
4. Null vs. research
16
Associated vs. Causal
 Associated
It proposes relationship among variables that
occur or exist together in the real world so that
when one variable changes, the other changes
 Identify association between X and Y
 It could be between independent and
independent
 It could be between independent and
dependent
 Causal
It proposes a cause and effect interaction between
two or more variables which are referred to as
independent & dependent variable
 Identify the sequence of the relationship between
X&Y
 The salmonella causes the typhoid
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Simple vs. Complex
Simple Hypothesis:
• States the relationship (associative or casual) b/w
two variables
“One independent and one dependent variable”
Complex Hypothesis:
• States the relationship (associative or casual)
among three or more variables
“Predicts relationships between two or more

independent and two or more dependent
variables”
18
Simple vs. Complex
19
Non-directional
directional vs. Directional
Non-directional
directional Hypothesis
States that a relationship exists but does not predict
the nature of the relationship
“Does not state the direction and makes no

prediction regarding their association”
Directional Hypothesis
States the nature (positive or negative) of the
interaction between two or more variables.
“Specifies the expected direction of the

relationship between variables”
20
Null vs. Research
 Null Hypotheses
The statistical hypothesis is sometimes called the
Null Hypothesis. It is the hypothesis that is tested.
The null hypothesis is a term that statisticians
often use to indicate the statistical hypothesis
tested
The purpose of most statistical tests, is to
determine if the obtained results provide a reason
to reject the hypothesis that they are merely a
product of chance factors.
 Research Hypothesis
It is the alternate hypothesis (H
( A or H1) to the
null Hypothesis and states that a relationship
exists between two or more variables.
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Characteristics of a good hypothesis
statement of casual relationships
 The hypothesis is comprised of three

clauses:
 Clause 1: States the sample and the first
position of the independent variable.
 Clause 2: States the direction of the
dependent variable.
 Clause 3: States the other position of the
independent variables.
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Other hypothesis
 Testable Hypothesis
 Is clearly stated, predicting a relation ship
between two or more variable.
 Hypothesis that contains variables that are
measurable or able to manipulate
23
Variables
 Qualities, properties or characteristics of

persons, things, or situations that change or
vary.
 Types of variables
 Independent variables
 Dependent variables
 Research variables/Concepts
 Extraneous variables
 Demographic variables
24
Types of Variables
1. Independent Variable
 It is a stimulus or activity that is
manipulated or varied by the researcher to
create an effect on the dependent variable.
 It is also called a treatment or experimental
variable.
2. Dependent Variable
 It is the outcome or response that the
researcher wants to predict or explain.
 Changes in the dependent variable are
presumed (supposed) to be caused by the
independent variable
25
Independent vs. Dependent variable
 An independent variable is presumed to cause

of the dependent variable-the
variable presumed effect.
 The independent variable is one which
explains or accounts for variations in the
dependent variable.
 A dependent variable is one which changes in
relationship to changes in another variable.
 An independent variable is one whose change
results in change in other variable.
 In experiments, the independent variable is the
variable manipulated by the experimenter.
 A variable which is dependent in one study
may be independent in another.
 Intervening variable is one that comes between
the independent and dependent variable.
26
3. Research variables or Concepts
 Are the qualities, properties, or

characteristics identified in the research
purpose and objectives or questions that are
observed or measured in a study.
 Used when the intent (aim) of the study is to
observe or measure variables as they exist in
a natural setting without the implementation
of a treatment .
 Thus no independent variables are
manipulated, and no cause-and-effect
cause
relationships are examined
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4. Extraneous Variables
 Extraneous variable are those variables that can
influence the relationship b/w independent
dependent variables. They must be controlled
through statistical analysis or research design.
 There are six methods of controlling extraneous
variable
(1)Ensuring subjects are homogenous,
(2)Including the extraneous variable as
independent variable
(3)Matching subjects in relation to extraneous
variables,
(4)Using statistical procedures to control
undesirable variables,
(5)Randomly assigning subjects to experimental
and control groups, and using
(6)Repeated measures design.
(Polit & Hungler,
Hungler 1999).
28
5. Demographic variables
 They are the characteristics or attributes of

subjects that are collected to describe the
sample.
 Common demographic variables Age,
Education, Gender, Ethnic, Origin(race),
Marital status, Income, Job classification,
and Medical diagnosis
 When a study is completed, the
demographic data are analyzed to provide a
picture of the sample and are called Sample
Characteristics.
 A study’s sample characteristics can be
presented in table format or narrative
29
Conceptual & Operational
Definitions of Variables
Conceptual Definition
 It provides the theoretical meaning to the
variable
 Often derived from theory
 It provides the foundation to the
operation definition
Operational Definition
 It drives from set of procedure and
progressive acts
 It indicated the existence and degree of
existence of a variable.
 It is developed to be able to measure the
conceptual definition in a concrete
manner
30
Scientific Reasoning
 Reasoning is the processing & organizing of

ideas in order to reach conclusions.
 Through reasoning, people are able to
make sense of both their thoughts and
experiences.
 Solutions to many perplexing problems are
developed by logical thought processes.
 Logical reasoning as a method of knowing
combines experience, intellectual faculties,
and formal systems of thought.
 Science of logic includes;
1. Inductive Reasoning
2. Deductive Reasoning
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1. Inductive Reasoning
 It moves from specific to the general; particular
instances are observed and then combined into a
larger whole or a general statement.
Particular Instances:
 A headache is an altered level of health that is
stressful.
 A terminal illness is a altered level of health that
is stressful
General statement
 Therefore it can be induced that all altered levels of
health are stressful. OR
 It is the process of developing generalizations from
specific observations. For example, a nurse may
observe the anxious behavior of (specific)
hospitalized children and conclude that (in general)
children’s separation from their parents is stressful.
32
Induction Approach
[General research question]
Observation
Theory Formulation
2. Deductive Reasoning
 It moves from the general to the specific or from
general premise to a particular situation or conclusion.
 A Premise or proposition is a statement of the
proposed relationship between two or more concepts.
For example;
Premises
 All human beings experience loss.
 All adolescents are human beings .
Conclusion
 Therefore it can be deducted that all adolescents
experience loss. OR
 It is process of developing specific predictions from
general principles. For example, if we assume that
separation anxiety occurs in hospitalized children (in
general), then we might predict that (specific) children
in Memorial Hospital whose Parents do not room-in
room
will manifest symptoms of stress.
34
Deductive Approach
Theory
Hypotheses
Data Collection
Findings
Hypotheses Confirmed or Rejected
Revision of Theory
Roles of Nurses in Nursing Research
Principal investigator
o Demands preparation beyond BSN level
Member of research team
o Data collector, administer experiments or interventions.
Identifier of researchable problems
o Eg.. Nurse at bedside can determine problem areas that
may be investigated on.
Evaluator of research findings
o Evaluate completed research for use
Determines the usefulness of findings; beginning
researchers should critique research articles
User of research findings
Patient or client advocate
Subject of studies
Research utilization
Informer and advisor
o Give information and advice to clients about participation
in research
36
References
 Burns, N., and Grove, S.K. (2007). “Understanding

“
Nursing Research; building an evidence based
practice” 4th edition, New Delhi, Elsevier.
 Polit, D.F., and Bech, C.T. “Nursing

“ Research;
principles and Methods” 7th edition, LWW.
Acknowledgement
 Tazeen Saeed Ali RN, RM, BSc.N, MSc (
Epidemiology)
37
38

Research Unit III

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Research Unit III

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Unit 03

 Research problem and Sources of

 A research problem is an enigmatic

Topic: Side effects of chemotherapy

Research Problem Nausea & vomiting are common

 Research questions are the specific queries

For example. What is the relative

For example: The purpose of the study is to test

 Declarative statements that identify specific

For example: - This study has as its aim the

Note: Not all published studies include a

 At the most basic level, research topics

 Ideas for research projects often come from

 Thus, an idea for a study may stem from

 Major source of research problems lies in the

 An essential factor in selecting a problem to

1. Associated vs. causal

2. Simple vs. complex

4. Null vs. research

“One independent and one dependent variable”

“Predicts relationships between two or more

“Does not state the direction and makes no

“Specifies the expected direction of the

 The hypothesis is comprised of three

 Qualities, properties or characteristics of

 An independent variable is presumed to cause

 Are the qualities, properties, or

 They are the characteristics or attributes of

 Reasoning is the processing & organizing of

[General research question]

Hypotheses Confirmed or Rejected

 Burns, N., and Grove, S.K. (2007). “Understanding

 Polit, D.F., and Bech, C.T. “Nursing

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