Understanding Nursing Research Chapter 4

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research topic

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Is a concept or broad issue that is important to nursing, such as acute and chronic pain management, coping with illness, or health promotion.

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Research problem

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Is an area of concern where there is a gap in teh knowledge base needed for nursing practice.

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Research objective

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is a clear, concise, declarative statement that is expressed int eh present tense. An objective usually focuses on one or two variables and indicates whether they are to be identified or described.

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Research question

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is a clear, concise interrogative statement that is worked in the present tense, includes one or more variables (or concepts), and is expressed to guide the implementation of quantitative and qualitative studies. The foci of research questions are description of variable(s) or concept(s), examination of relationships among variables, and determination of differences between two or more groups regarding selected variables(s)

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Hypothesis

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is a formal statement of the expected relationship(s) between two or more variables in a specified population. A clearly stated hypothesis includes the variables to be measured, identifies the population to be examined, and indicates the proposed outcomes for the study. 4 types: associative vs. causal, simple versus complex, nondirectional vs. directional, and null vs. research

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Associative vs. causal hypotheses

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An associative hypothesis proposes relationships among variables that occur or exist together in the real world, so that when one variable changes, the other changes (dyspnea + Fatigue + Sleep difficulty = functional performance). A causal hypothesis proposes a cause and effect interaction between two or more variables, which are referred to as independent and dependent variables (ALL CAUSAL HYPOTHESIS ARE DIRECTIONAL) (home telemonitoring + community-based monitoring = blood pressure control).

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Simple vs. Complex Hypotheses

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simple hypothesis states the relationships (associative or causal) between two variables. Complex hypothesis states the relationships (associative or causal) among three or more variables.

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Nondirectional versus Directional Hypotheses

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Nondirectional hypotheses states that a relationship exists but does not predict the nature of the relationship. Directional hypothesis states the nature (positive or negative) of the interaction between two or more variables (positive, negative, less, more, increase, decrease, greater, higher, or lower).

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Null versus Research Hypotheses

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Null hypothesis (statistical hypothesis0 are used for statistical testing and for interpreting statistical outcomes. Research hypothesis states that a relationship exists between two or more variables.

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Testable hypothesis

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is one that contains variables that are measurable or able to be manipulated.