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This chapter on research in nursing was included in ANNA's Career Fulfillment in Nephrology Nursing: Your Guide to Professional Development (2nd edition), which was published in September 2007. This chapter encourages nurses to participate in the research process by providing an overview of the nursing research process, including the steps to designing a research project, and answers to frequently asked questions. The objectives of the chapter are to: (a) define the nursing research process, including the systematic and universal knowledge concepts along with overviews of process improvement and evidence-based practice; (b) identify the steps to designing a research project, including identifying a clinical problem and formulating a research questions, conducting a review of the literature, and providing an overview of the research design; (c) provide an overview of the study methodology, including data analysis and protecting human subjects; (d) discuss available funding opportunities and the professional obligations that go with these opportunities; and (e) provide answers to frequently asked questions regarding nursing research to help demystify the process.
The federal government defines research as the systematic collection of information in order to increase universal knowledge (Department of Health & Human Services, 1991). There are several complex concepts imbedded into that definition, but before we discuss the concepts we need to clarify the word 'research.' The use of the noun 'research' implies a systematic investigation to increase universal knowledge; one that is thoughtfully planned and executed. The noun 'research' is not to be confused with the verb 'research,' where one might state, "I researched this and found?." Our day is full of researching information and using that information to assist us in our work. But for the purposes of this chapter, we speak only to the noun 'research' and the system of inquiry that surrounds our investigations to answer clinical questions. It is the noun 'research' that often intimidates the clinical nurse. We hope to dispel some of the intimidating factors and light the flame of inquiry. To help us understand research, let's explore the process. Don't let it be daunting, as there are nurses out there who are professional researchers. Just like we go to medical experts when we have a medical concern, we can turn to our nurse research experts when we have...