Research

Research

• means delving into a problem
• systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomena
• general system is followed whose elements are:
1. identification of the problem
2. extensive review of literature
3. formulation of the conceptual framework and hypotheses
4. designing its design and methodology
5. data collection
6. data analysis through the use of statistics and interpretation and drawing conclusions
7. giving recommendations

• Importance of research:
1. discovers newer trends of dealing with problematic situations effectively
2. education is modified, enhanced and improved
3. professionalism is refined
4. it makes our interventions relevant and effective
5. sense of accountability is deepened and actualized
6. ground of nursing science
• science is based on knowledge from:
1. tradition
2. authority
3. experience of trial and error
4. logical reasoning
5. exploration
6. order and control
7. empirism
8. generalization
9. theory
• scientific research can be categorized in terms of its functions or objectiveness
• most common goals of research investigation:
1. description
2. exploration
3. explanation
4. prediction and control of natural phenomena
• Basic Research
• designed to extend the base of knowledge in a discipline for the sake of knowledge itself
• Applied Research
• focuses on discovering solution to immediate practical problems
• directed to solve a specific problem and aims to answer the problem immediately, hence it is short-ranged
• Basic Research Terminology:
• Concept
• abstraction that is formulated by generalizing from particular manifestations of certain behaviors or characteristics
• Construct
• abstraction of mental representation that is deliberately invented (or constructed) by researchers for a specific scientific purpose
• Operational Definition
• specification of the operations which the investigator must perform in order to collect the required information
• Variable
• something which varies; an abstract entity which takes on different values
• Dependent Variable
• presumed effect of a phenomenon; the "Y" of the investigations
• Independent Variable
• presumed cause of the phenomenon; usually the variable the investigator is interested in understanding, explaining or predicting; the "X" of investigation
• Attribute Variable
• pre-existing characteristic which the investigator simply observes and measures
• also known as confounding or intervening variable or explanatory or dummy variable

Research Problem

• should always be started in interrogative form
• should express a relationship between two or more variables
• stated clearly and unambiguously
• should imply possibilities of empirical testing

Criteria for Evaluating Research Problem

• significance to nursing
• researchability
• feasibility
1. time and timing
2. availability of subjects
3. cooperation of others
4. individuals
5. availability of facilities and equipment
6. monetary requirements
7. experience and competencies of the researcher
8. ethical considerations

How to Select and Define a Research Problem

• through observation of your job, of the place around you - ask yourself: "What is the predominant problem that blocks efficiency in my work?" or simply reflect and analyze the most dominant feature of your work - and ask, "Is there anything I can do to improve my intervention, my manner of working if I try such and such approach?". Through this manner, you start opening up your avenue towards a scientific inquiry of research
• In selecting a research problem, list down all the possible problems that bother you in your work. Then trim down and rank according to priority of importance. It is good to consider the following points when selecting a research problem:
1. feasibility of conducting the research
2. practicability of the research problem
3. benefits that can be derived from the research process
4. costs of the research investigation
5. concreteness of the problem identified
6. your own interest and love to do this problem

Literature Review

• involves type of information to seek and locate existing information on a problem
1. Primary source - description of the study prepared by the researcher who conducted it
2. Secondary source - description of the study by a person not connected with the investigation
3. Tertiary source - from broadcasts, seminars, conversations, email, etc.

How to Review Related Literature

• First, define well your research problem. Then draw out the important variables. These become the main topics of your library search.
• Read through the table of contents first for every book you get hold of. Then speed scan the pages of the book and read subtopics. You must learn how to do speed reading through your own ways. Each individual is unique, hence each one will have his/her own way of devising a speed reading technique.
• Always carry with you 3 by 5 cardex. Jot down all important notes paying attention to the author, title of source publisher, date and pages. You will need this when you write your proposal for references and recall of your topics and ideas.
• Interact with authorities of your topic. Exhaust all resources, print media and audio media, talks, seminars, etc. In research, there is a dire need to be always on the go, ever attentive to feel the pulse of the time keen to interpret the signs of times.

Research Variables

• In research, two important variables interplay: the independent variables, also called the active, the fundamental and the action variables (I.V. manipulate the action on the D.V.); X (I.V.) -> Y (D.V.). Independent variables manipulate the effects of Y, e.g. proper diet makes children grow in health (D.V.). Between the relationship of the independent variables and the dependent variables are some intervening variables. These are the variances that can affect or modify the effects of X on Y. Some of the intervening variables are inevitable or uncontrollable such as the weather, temper, instinctive reactions, etc. In research, independent variables and dependent variables are always stated in clear measurable explicit terms.
• To make the research, the objectives of the study must be spelled out. Guidelines to make the objectives correct are:
1. T - time bound
2. O - observable
3. M - measurable
4. A - attainable and accurate
5. S - specific

Construction of the Theoretical/Conceptual Framework in Research

• Read all possible sources of the topic you are working on. At least 25 sources should be consulted as a beginner in research
• Get the gist of the main topics you have read. Be sure these topics are relevant and recent. Plot them in your 3 by 5 cardex.
• Arrange the gist according to strength of authority and sources.
• The gist must contain the main concepts which may be derived from theories, logical reasoning, laws or plain ideas.
• Arrange them according to relationship to the variables under study.

Research Paradigm

• research and any type of scientific inquiry leans on the conceptual framework and research paradigm
• declarative sets of statements or phrases that help explain some solution or analysis of the problem under investigation
• Paradigms are usually presented in schematic diagram, concretizing in demonstration the conceptual framework

Hypothesis

• statement concerning predicted relationships among variables
• criteria for good hypothesis:
1. must specify the anticipated relationship between two or more variables
2. must be testable
3. should be justifiable or consistent with existing theory or knowledge and with logical reasoning
• Classification of Hypotheses:
1. Simple - express a predicted relationship between one independent and one dependent variable
2. Complex - state an anticipated relationship between 2 or more independent and 2 or more dependent variables
3. Directional - specifies the expected direction or nature of a hypothesized relationship
4. Non-Directional - do not stipulate the precise form that the relationship exist between 2 variables
• Formulation of Research Hypothesis
• Hypotheses are declarative statements of the investigator's expectations concerning relationships between the variables under investigation. A hypothesis in other words, is a prediction of expected outcomes; it states the relationships that the investigator anticipates findings as a result of the study
• The problem statement identifies the phenomena under investigation; a hypothesis predicts how those phenomena will be related. For example, a problem statement might be phrased.
• "Is pre-eclamptic toxemia in pregnant women associated with stress factors present during pregnancy?" This might be translated into the following hypothesis or prediction.
• "Pregnant women with pre-eclamptic toxemia will report a higher incidence of emotionally disturbing or stressful events during pregnancy than asymptomatic pregnant women". (In preceding research steps the investigator would have defined the meaning of "emotionally disturbing or stressful events)".
• Thus, problem statements represent the initial effort to give a research project direction; hypotheses represent a more formalized focus for the collection and interpretation of data
• The formulation of workable hypotheses often gives the beginning investigator some difficulty. There are few essential characteristics which distinguish hypotheses from the kind of prediction we make in our day to day affairs.
• The hypothesis concerning theses variables advances an explicit prediction concerning how the two variables will be related; that is those with the symptoms will experience more stressful events than those without the symptoms
• A prediction with only one variable is not really a hypothesis

Overview of the Research Process: Doing the research or thesis involves the following fifteen steps, outlined as:

1. formulating and delimiting the problem
2. reviewing the literature
3. developing a theoretical framework
4. identifying the research variables
5. formulating hypotheses
6. selecting a research design
7. specifying the population
8. operationalizing and measuring the research variables