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NURSING RESEARCH 1 (NCM 111)

STUDY GUIDE

Responsibilities of a Beginning Nurse Researcher

Introduction

Welcome to Week 15 of NCM 111: Nursing Research 1. This week, we will focus on the
responsibilities of a beginning nurse researcher. Understanding these responsibilities is crucial
for conducting ethical, rigorous, and meaningful research in nursing practice.

Your instructor for this week is A. K. Bungabong, who will guide you through the important
concepts and expectations of being a novice nurse researcher.

I. Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the key responsibilities of a beginning nurse researcher
2. Understand the importance of engaging in nursing and health-related research
3. Explain the process of evaluating a research study or report
4. Discuss how to apply the research process in improving patient care
5. Identify strategies for professional development as a nurse researcher

II. Key Concepts

A. Engage in Nursing or Health-Related Research

• Importance of Research in Nursing Practice: Research is fundamental to the
advancement of nursing knowledge and the delivery of evidence-based patient care. It
allows nurses to:
o Stay Updated: Keep abreast of new developments, best practices, and effective
treatments.
o Improve Patient Outcomes: Utilize research findings to make informed
decisions about patient care, leading to better outcomes and improved patient
safety.
o Shape Nursing Practice: Contribute to the development and refinement of
nursing standards, protocols, and policies based on scientific evidence.
• Identifying Research Opportunities in Clinical Settings: Nurses are in a unique
position to identify research questions and opportunities that arise from real-world
clinical experiences. They can contribute to research by:
o Observing Trends and Challenges: Recognize recurring issues, challenges in
patient care, and areas where current practices may be inadequate.
o Asking "Why?": Challenge existing practices and procedures, seeking
evidence-based rationales for interventions.
o Collaborating with Colleagues: Discuss observations and potential research
questions with fellow nurses and researchers.
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• Collaborating with Experienced Researchers: Novice nurse researchers can benefit

greatly from collaborating with experienced researchers. This collaboration can involve:
o Mentorship: Receive guidance and support from seasoned researchers in
developing research skills and navigating the research process.
o Teamwork: Participate in research projects as part of a team, contributing to
various aspects of the study under supervision.
o Learning by Doing: Gain practical experience in research methods, data
collection, analysis, and dissemination.
B. Evaluate a Research Study/Report
• Critical Appraisal Skills: Nurses need to develop critical appraisal skills to evaluate the
quality, validity, and reliability of research studies. Critical appraisal involves:
o Assessing Study Design: Determine the appropriateness of the research
design for the research question and the rigor of its implementation.
o Evaluating Sampling and Data Collection: Critique the methods used to select
participants and collect data, considering potential biases or limitations.
o Analyzing Data Analysis: Examine the statistical or qualitative methods used to
analyze data, ensuring their appropriateness and rigor.
o Interpreting Findings: Carefully interpret the study's findings, considering their
clinical significance, generalizability, and implications for nursing practice.
• Assessing Research Validity and Reliability: Validity and reliability are essential
qualities of a trustworthy research study.
o Validity: Refers to the accuracy and truthfulness of the study's findings.
Researchers must minimize threats to validity to ensure that the results are a true
reflection of the phenomenon being studied.
o Reliability: Refers to the consistency and repeatability of the study's findings. A
reliable study should yield similar results if repeated under similar conditions.
• Interpreting Research Findings: Interpreting research findings requires careful
consideration of:
o Study Limitations: Acknowledge any limitations of the study, such as sample
size, methodology, or generalizability.
o Clinical Significance: Determine the practical importance of the findings for
nursing practice, going beyond statistical significance.
o Context and Applicability: Consider the study's context and how the findings
might apply to different settings or populations.
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C. Applies Research Process in Improving Patient Care

• Evidence-Based Practice Implementation: EBP involves integrating research findings
with clinical expertise and patient preferences to guide clinical decision-making. Nurses
can implement EBP by:
o Formulating Clinical Questions: Identify specific questions about patient care
that can be answered with research evidence.
o Searching for Evidence: Use databases and resources to find relevant
research studies addressing the clinical question.
o Critically Appraising Evidence: Evaluate the quality and applicability of the
research evidence using critical appraisal skills.
o Integrating Evidence into Practice: Incorporate research findings into clinical
practice, considering patient preferences and clinical expertise.
• Translating Research Findings into Clinical Practice: Translating research findings
into practice requires:
o Collaboration: Work with colleagues, nurse leaders, and researchers to identify
and implement evidence-based changes.
o Education and Training: Provide education and training to nurses on new
research findings and their application in clinical settings.
o Practice Guidelines and Protocols: Develop or update practice guidelines and
protocols based on the latest research evidence.
• Quality Improvement Initiatives: QI initiatives use a systematic approach to improve
the quality of care within a specific organization or setting. Nurses can be involved in QI
by:
o Identifying Areas for Improvement: Recognize processes or practices that
need improvement based on data or observations.
o Collecting and Analyzing Data: Gather data to measure the current state of the
process and to track changes after implementing improvements.
o Implementing and Evaluating Changes: Make evidence-based changes to the
process and evaluate their impact on patient outcomes.
D. Professional Development as a Nurse Researcher
• Continuing Education in Research Methods: Nurses interested in research should
pursue continuing education to enhance their research skills. This can include:
o Graduate Studies: Consider pursuing a master's or doctoral degree in nursing
with a focus on research.
o Workshops and Courses: Attend workshops and courses offered by
universities, professional organizations, or online platforms to learn specific
research methods or techniques.
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• Participation in Research Conferences and Seminars: Research conferences and

seminars provide valuable opportunities for:
o Networking: Connect with other researchers, learn about their work, and explore
potential collaborations.
o Presenting Research: Share your own research findings and receive feedback
from peers and experts.
o Staying Informed: Learn about the latest research trends, methodologies, and
findings in nursing and related fields.
• Joining Professional Research Organizations: Professional research organizations
offer resources and support for nurse researchers, including:
o Sigma Theta Tau International: The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta
Tau International, promotes nursing research and provides funding opportunities,
mentorship programs, and research dissemination platforms.
o Specialty Organizations: Many nursing specialty organizations have research
divisions or special interest groups that focus on research relevant to their
specialty area.
E. Ethical Responsibilities
• Maintaining Research Integrity: Research integrity involves upholding ethical
standards throughout the research process, including:
o Honesty and Transparency: Report findings accurately and transparently,
disclosing any limitations or biases.
o Accurate Data: Ensure the accuracy and integrity of data collection, analysis,
and reporting.
o Avoiding Plagiarism: Properly cite all sources and avoid plagiarism, giving
credit to the original authors.
• Protecting Human Subjects: Protecting human subjects is paramount in nursing
research. Researchers must:
o Obtain Informed Consent: Ensure participants understand the study's purpose,
procedures, risks, and benefits and that they voluntarily agree to participate.
o Minimize Risks: Design studies to minimize potential risks to participants and
ensure that benefits outweigh risks.
o Protect Privacy and Confidentiality: Safeguard participant privacy and
confidentiality by de-identifying data and implementing secure data storage
procedures.
• Responsible Conduct of Research: Responsible conduct of research encompasses:
o Compliance with Regulations: Adhere to all relevant ethical guidelines,
institutional policies, and data protection laws.
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o Ethical Review: Obtain approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) before
conducting any research involving human subjects.
o Animal Welfare: If using animals in research, ensure humane treatment and
compliance with animal welfare regulations.
F. Communication and Dissemination
• Writing Research Reports: Writing research reports is essential for disseminating
findings and contributing to the body of nursing knowledge. Research reports should:
o Follow Standards: Adhere to established reporting guidelines and journal
requirements for structure and content.
o Present Findings Clearly: Use clear and concise language to present findings,
including tables, figures, and statistical results.
o Interpret and Discuss Findings: Provide a thorough interpretation of the
findings, discussing their implications for nursing practice, theory, and future
research.
• Presenting Research Findings: Presenting research findings at conferences and
meetings allows for:
o Sharing Knowledge: Disseminate findings to a wider audience of nurses and
researchers.
o Receiving Feedback: Get constructive feedback from peers and experts to
improve the research and its implications.
o Networking and Collaboration: Connect with other researchers and explore
potential collaborations.
• Collaborating with Interdisciplinary Teams: Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams
is increasingly important in nursing research. It allows for:
o Holistic Approach: Address complex health issues from multiple perspectives,
integrating insights from different disciplines.
o Shared Expertise: Combine the expertise of nurses, physicians, social workers,
and other healthcare professionals to enhance research quality and impact.
o Translational Research: Facilitate the translation of research findings into
practice by involving clinicians and stakeholders from various disciplines.
III. Learning Activities:
1. Read the assigned textbook chapters on the roles and responsibilities of nurse
researchers.
2. Participate in a group discussion on the challenges and opportunities for beginning
nurse researchers.
3. Analyze a published nursing research article and present a critical evaluation to the
class.
4. Develop a personal action plan for professional development as a nurse researcher.
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5. Complete a short quiz on key concepts related to the responsibilities of nurse

researchers.

IV. Reflection Questions:

1. How can beginning nurse researchers contribute to the advancement of nursing
knowledge and practice?
2. What challenges might you face as a novice nurse researcher, and how can you
overcome them?
3. How can you integrate research responsibilities into your clinical nursing practice?
4. Why is it important for nurses to develop skills in critically evaluating research?

V. Additional Resources:
1. Polit, D., & Beck, C. (2017). Nursing Research : Generating and Assessing Evidence for
Nursing Practice. Tenth Edition (Ed.10, Cet.1). USA: Wolters Kluwer Health.
2. Philippine Board of Nursing. (2019). National Nursing Core Competency Standards.
Professional Regulation Commission.
3. Nursing Research: A Journal for the Nursing Profession (sample issues)
4. International Council of Nurses (ICN) - Position Statement on Nursing Research
5. Online resource: National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) - Training and Career
Development

VI. Assignment

Write a reflective essay (2-3 pages) on your vision of yourself as a beginning nurse researcher.
Include:
1. Your understanding of the key responsibilities of a nurse researcher
2. How you plan to integrate research into your nursing practice
3. Specific goals for your development as a nurse researcher
4. Potential challenges you anticipate and strategies to address them
5. How you believe your research engagement will contribute to improving patient care

Format your assignment using APA style, Calibri 11-point font, double-spaced, with 1-inch
margins. Submit your work through Google Classroom by the specified deadline.

Remember to review this material thoroughly and reach out to your instructor, A. K. Bungabong
at [email protected], if you have any questions or need clarification on any
topics.