Nursing Research

Prof. Jhessie L. Abella RN, RM, MAN

The Most Important Things
in Life
A philosophy professor stood before his class
with some items on the table in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly he picked
up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and
proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches
in diameter.
The Most Important Things
in Life
He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and
poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The
pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the
rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.
The Most Important Things
in Life
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into
the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students
responded with a unanimous “Yes.”
The Most Important Things
in Life
“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this
jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things
– your family, your partner, your health, your children –
things that if everything else was lost and only they
remained, your life would still be full.
The Most Important Things
in Life
The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your
house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued “there is no room
for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life.
The Most Important Things
in Life
Take care of the rocks first – the
things that really matter. Set
your priorities. The rest is just
sand.”
 RESEARCH
Research is a systematic inquiry using scientific methods in answering
questions or in solving problems. In nursing, it attempts to develop,
refine and expand body of knowledge about matters that are
important to the nursing profession (practice, education,
administration)
NURSING RESEARCH conducted by nurse through scientific inquiry on areas
of cause, diagnosis and prevention of diseases, promotion of health across
lifespan.
Defined as a formal, systematic, rigorous and intensive process used for
solutions to nursing problems or to discover and interpret new facts and
trends in clinical practice, nursing education or nursing administration.
 
What is the ULTIMATE GOAL of research?

Improve the practice of its members so that the service provided to its clientele
will be maximally effective.
 RESEARCH
 Research derived from a French word “cerchier”
 Research is a formal, systematic and rigorous process of scientific analysis
particularly conducted for the purpose of discovery and development of a
structured and organized body of knowledge.

Clinical Nursing Research- refers to the “research designed to generate

knowledge to guide nursing practice and to improve the health and
quality of nurses life”
Importance of Nursing Research

 The ultimate goal is to: improve the practice of its members so that the service
provided to its clientele will be maximally effective
 Enhance professionalism
 Increase accountability
 Strengthen social relevance of nursing
 Basis for sound decision making

SOURCES OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE

 Tradition- certain truth are accepted as given on the basis of inherited custom and traditions
 Authority- refer to people with specialized expertise
 Experience and Trial and Error- own experience represent a familiar and functional sources of
knowledge
 Logical reasoning- combines, intellectual faculties and formal system of thought

What is the most sophisticated way of acquiring knowledge??

 RESEARCH
 Nursing emerged as a profession when nurses started using
systematic, orderly, and objective methods of seeking information
derived from research.
 Research serves the need of nurses for direction in helping solve
today’s problem.
 Research problems my arise from the altruistic desire to improve
nursing practice.

DO you think Nursing Research is IMPORTANT?

• Identification naming an unknown phenomenon
• Description describe a phenomenon
• Exploration “what”
• Explanation “why”
• Prediction “projects a situation”
Purpose of Research

Description. Research describes a phenomenon that relates to the

nursing profession as well as observe, define, and document nursing
situations under inquiry.
Exploration. Research explores the phenomenon being investigated
Explanation. Research seeks clarification of prevailing situations
Predicts. Projects a situation or events that could arise from research
investigation.
Control. Puts up a barrier to hinder or minimize the effects of an
anticipated outcomes or reactions.
Evidence Based Practice

EBM is a new paradigm in the health care practice, it is the integration of the best
research evidenced (clinically relevant patient centered practice) with clinical
expertise and patient values.
Example:
You are a school nurse who regularly visits a number of elementary and middle schools (children
aged 5 to 13 years) in your region. It is cold and flu season once again. One of the teachers stops you
in the hall to ask you a question about his 10- year old daughter who also has a cold. He has heard
that zinc lozenges can help to relieve cold symptoms and wonders if they really do work and if it is
OK to give them to children.

You are a nurse practitioner working in a family practice setting. One of your patients is a 28-year
old woman who has been taking oral contraceptives (OCs) for the past 6 years. She telephones you
to say that she is growing increasingly anxious about taking OCs because recently she has read in
magazines and heard from friends that they may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. She
has never smoked, is in good health, and has no history of cardiovascular disease in her family. She
asks to see you to discuss whether she should discontinue taking the OCs and begin using a
different birth control method.
 PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS NURSING PROCESS RESEARCH PROCESS
Data Collection Assessment Knowledge of the nursing world
 Data Collection  Clinical Experience
 Data Interpretation  Literature Review
Problem Definition Nursing Diagnosis Problem and Purpose Identification
PLAN PLAN Methodology
 Goal Setting  Goal Setting  Design
 Identifying Solutions  Planned Intervention  Sample
 Methods and Measurement
Implementation Implementation Data Collection and analysis
Evaluation and Revision Process Evaluation and Modification Outcome and dissemination of
finding
Alternate Route for
Problem Solving
 Ignore or redefine the Problem
 Faith, habit or traditional practice
 Authority
 Human experience
 Trial and error
 Logical reasoning
 Common sense

What are the Characteristics of Research??

 Orderly and Systematic
 Control the researcher identifies and eliminates specific
constraints
 Empiricism the researcher uses results of experiences and
observation rooted in objective reality as sources of knowledge.
 Generalization this is the holistic statement that is formulated
after due analysis
Orderly and Systematic
1. Identifying the problem refers to what will be investigated and what
areas of concern will be the focus of the inquiry
2. Determining the purpose concerned with why the phenomenon is
being investigated and what its goals and objectives are
3. Review of Related Literature refers to the previous knowledge and
results of research studies that serves as basis for the current
research
4. Theoretical framework explains the relationship of the variables
investigated
6. Stating the study assumption this are the statements presumed to be true but have not been
proven so
7. Acknowledging the limitation of the study there are uncontrolled variables that could affect
research results and limit the generalizability of findings
8. Formulating the null hypothesis statements that is in a null form to be statistically tested to
prove extent of relationship or difference
9. Defining study variables factors that are the focus of the study are defined to create clear
interpretations
10. Choice of research design overall pattern of how the study will be conducted particularly the
research methods and techniques
11. Identifying the population individuals, organization or institution which constitute the focus
of research.
12. Choosing the study samples points to the particular number, percentage pr proportion of the
population selected as respondents
13. Conducting the field test is the dry run of the study on a selected group of individuals or
institution.
 Classification of Nursing
Research

According to
Measurement &
• Experiment Data Analysis • Longitudinal
al • Quantitativ • Cross
• Non e Sectional
Experiment • Qualitative • Retrospective
al
• Quasi
According to According to Time
Experiment
Approach Frame
al
• Combined
Classification of Nursing
Research
According to
Research
• Basic Environment
Research • Field
• Applied Research
Research • Laboratory
• Historical Research
According to • Clinical
Research
Motive or Research
Objective
Gains of Nursing Research
• Knowledge and Expertise
• Promotion and Prestige
• Recognition by Peers
• Scholarship Grants
• Increase in Pay
• Accreditations in Schools
Is ETHICS important in
Research?
 Ethics in Research

 Nuremberg Code- was developed in 1949 borne out of the Nuremberg

trials. First internationally accepted effort to set up formal ethical
standards governing human research subject. Requires informed
consent to all cases.
 Helsinki Declaration- was adopted by the WMA in 1964. This
differentiates 2 types of research, that which is essentially therapeutic
and that which is essentially directed toward developing scientific
knowledge and has no therapeutic value.
 Belmont Report- in July b12, 1974 the NRA was signed into law thereby
creating the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects
of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. This articulate 3 primary
ethical principles, beneficence, respect for human dignity and justice
 CIOMS Guidelines- Council for International Organization of Medical
Science was created in 1993 which promulgate sets of ethical
principles regarding human experimentation.
Belmont Report
I. Respect for persons: protecting the autonomy of all
people and treating them with courtesy and respect
and allowing for informed consent. Researchers must
be truthful and conduct no deception;
II. Beneficence: The philosophy of "Do no harm" while
maximizing benefits for the research project and
minimizing risks to the research subjects; and
III. Justice: ensuring reasonable, non-exploitative, and
well-considered procedures are administered fairly —
the fair distribution of costs and benefits
to potential research participants — and equally.
 Ethical Principle and
Guidelines for Researcher
(Polit and Beck:2004)

 Informed Consent
 Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
 Respect for Human Dignity
 Anonymity cannot link a subject with information
reported
 Confidentiality subject divulges will not be made
public
 Right to full disclosure
 Right to self determination
 Justice and Fairness
 Privacy
 Right to Full Disclosure

 Nature, duration and purpose of the study

 Methods, procedures, processes by which data will be
collected
 Utilization of the findings
 Inconveniences, potentials harm or discomfort that
might be experienced
 Side effects
 Alternatives to participation in the study
 Right the participate or withhold anytime
 Identities of the investigator and where to contact them
 Rationale for Conducting
Research
 The demand for Nurses to pursue MA of Doctoral
 Greater emphasis in the undergraduate programs
 To produce more research materials
 Basis for promotion
 Broader scope of nursing
 Personal satisfactions
 No one has the greater access to patients
 Research is a practical way of improving healthcare
 Reason for Lack of Clinical
Research

 “feeling of too busy to care for patients”

 Research seems not important
 Many nurses do not have the academic training to conduct
clinical research
 Research takes time, cost money which must be
budgeted.
Nursing Research Trends
and Constraints

Rationale for Conducting Clinical Research

 Nursing problems and issues are integral to the work situations
 Personal satisfaction is derived from finding better ways of providing
nursing care
 No one has greater access to the patient than the nurse
 It could be therapeutic and enjoyable
 Clinical research is a practical way for a nurse to help improve the
health care of the sick
Roles of Nurses in Research

 As principal investigator
 As a member of a research team
 As evaluator of research findings
 As consumer of research findings
 As client advocate in a research study
 As a subject of research
 The Research Process

Conceptual Design Implementation Analysis Dissemination

Interpretation
Problem identification Selecting research •Developing a time oAnalyzing the data Communicating the
Statement of the design table oInterpreting and findings
problem Determining sampling •Appropriating a budget evaluating the findings Utilizing research
Conceptual and technique and or seeking funds or results of statistical findings
theoretical framework Identifying method of •Recruiting and treatments
Significance of the data collection retaining subjects
study Conducting pilot study •Data gathering and
Definition of terms collation
Scope and limitation
Review of related
literature
 The Story of A
Woodcutter
Once upon a time, a very strong
woodcutter asked for a job in a
timber merchant and he got it. The
pay was really good and so was the
work condition. For those reasons,
the woodcutter was determined to
do his best.

His boss gave him an axe and showed

 Very motivated by the boss words, the woodcutter tried harder the next
day, but he could only bring 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder,
but he could only bring 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and
less trees.
 “I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the
boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was
going on.
 “When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked.
 “Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy
trying to cut trees…”
 Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy that we don’t
take time to sharpen the “axe”. In today’s world, it seems that
everyone is busier than ever, but less happy that ever.
 Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay
“sharp”? There’s nothing wrong with activity and hard work. But
we should not get so busy that we neglect the truly important
things in life, like our personal life, taking time to get close to
our Creator, giving more time for our family, taking time to read
etc.
 We all need time to relax, to think and meditate, to learn and
grow. If we don’t take the time to sharpen the “axe”, we will
become dull and lose our effectiveness. 
The Research PROBLEM

The selection of a research problem or query is probably the most

important and most difficult step in the research process. Research
arises from various situations.
 Perceived difficulty
 A feeling of discomfort with the way things are
 A discrepancy or a gap between “what is” and “what should be”
 The daily experience of human beings which requires further inquiry
The Research PROBLEM
 The selection of a research problem or query is probably the most important and most
difficult step in the research process.
 A research problem as a situation in need of a solution, improvement or alteration.
 In any research activity, the identification of a problem signals its beginning. When there
is no problem, there is no basis for anyone to undertake research.
Sources of Problem
Problems are endemic to all organization, including nursing. They arise from various areas of
human concern such as the following;
  Fields of specialization
 Instructional program
 Reading program
 Organizational structure, policies and interpersonal relationship
 New technologies
 Conflicting ideas and ideals
 Journals, books, theses or dissertation and mass media
 Theories and principles affecting certain phenomenon
 Problem area in nursing
 Problem situation and issues
 Suggestion of experts and authorities
 E.L.I.T.E.
Source of Problem

Experience
Literature
Issues (social)
Theory
External Source
 Criteria for Choice of Research
Problems

 Significance of the Problem

 Availability of the subjects
 Time allotment
 Limitation of tools
 Limitation of subjects


Problem Researchability
Feasibility of the Problem S.A.T.L.L.I.N
 Potentials of the Researcher
 Personal motivation
 Novelty
Interrogative
Declarative
Sample Research
Problems
• Who are more proficient at the bedside, the graduate of a diploma
program or those of the basic degree program?
• Are the hours of nursing care available in general hospital related to
patients satisfaction with nursing care?
• What are the professional attributes of staff nurse and how it relates to
patients satisfaction?
• What is the health seeking behaviors of Muslim living in Subic?
• Does infant massage increases the weight of an infant?
• What are the sources of stress and its effect on the clinical
performance of nurses?
• what are the most effective teaching methodology employed by St.
Mary’s College of Nursing and its effect on the student nurses
performance?
 Tips for Discovering and
Identifying a Problem
 Reading a lot of literature in one’s chosen field and
applying critical thinking to the literature
 Attending professional lectures, research colloquia or
seminars
 Close observation of situation and events in the clinical
area and other related experience
 Compiling and conducting researches
 Visiting various libraries for possible discovery of research
topics
Sample Nursing Research
Topics
Patient Care Techniques
The primary job of a nurse is to tend to
the physical and emotional needs
of patients. Gather information about
effective methods of meeting
patient needs and report them in your
research paper. Research patient
care techniques in contemporary
nursing journals, paying specific
attention to statistics that indicate the
effectiveness of each practice.
Report details about what each practice
entails and discuss which of the
options appears to be most beneficial to
patients.
Sample Nursing Research
Topics
Nurse Community Building
 Nurses commonly work closely with
their peers, sharing information and
building a community. Explore the
characteristics of a strong nursing
community. Research practices that
have been proven to produce and
maintain a strong community, and
discuss ways in which hospitals or
other health facilities can integrate
these practices into their daily
business.
Sample Nursing Research
Topics
Nurse Coping Procedures
• Working as a nurse can be emotionally
taxing. Dealing with illness and death is
a struggle for many in the healthcare
profession. Gather information on ways
in which nurses can effectively cope
with these stressors. Discuss how nurses
can cope individually as well as what
hospitals can do to assist their nurses in
dealing with the difficulties associated
with the job.
Sample Nursing Research
Topics
Technology in Nursing Education
• Technology has changed the process
of nursing education. Now, pre-service
nurses can practice the techniques as
they learn them on computers and
robotic simulation machines.
Research the various forms of nursing
education technology, and discuss
how each of these technologies can
assist students in better learning the
skills necessary to become an
effective nurse. Gather statistics that
indicate the effectiveness of these
technologies and discuss how the use
of these technologies increases the
Sample Nursing Research
Topics
The Future of Nursing
• The practice of nursing is continually
evolving. Research advancements
that are being made within the field of
nursing. Look for contemporary
articles outlining new techniques and
tools that promise to bring innovation
to the field. Discuss ways in which
both nurses and patients will benefit
from these changes within the
profession. Paint a picture of the field
of nursing in the future using words,
describing things that will be similar to
and different from practices currently
used.
 Common errors to avoid in
stating the research
problem.
1. Problems that elicit broad, general findings instead of specific
information needed for their solutions.
2. Shallow and unimportant inquiries
3. Rhetorically stated problems which tends to elicit emotional reaction
that diminished the scientific intent of the inquiry
4. Questions that are not testable cannot be answered through scientific
investigation

A good statement of the problem spells out clearly the key variables of the
study in order that their meaning is clear to the researcher and the
reader of the research report.
Hallmark and Qualities of
Good Nurse Researcher
• Honest Credible
• Accurate in his/her data
• Organized and Systematic
• Logical
• Self Awareness
• Imaginative and Curious
• Persistent with Barriers
• Good Relationship with his/her Respondents
• Updated
Components of Research

Title Page Chapter 3 Research Methods and Procedures

Approval Sheet Research Methodology
Data Gathering Procedure
Acknowledgement
Population of the Study
Thesis Abstract
Research Instruments
Table of Contents
Validation of the Instruments
Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Setting Statistical Treatment of data
Introduction
Theoretical Framework of the study Chapter 4 Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation
Conceptual Framework of the study
Statement of the Problem Chapter 5 Summary, Conclusion an Recommendations
Statement of the Hypothesis
Significance of the study Bibliography
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
Appendix
Definitions of Terms
Curriculum Vitae
 
Chapter 2 Review of Related Literature  
Related literature
Foreign Sources
Local Sources
 

 
 Research Variables

• Variables are measurable qualities, properties or

characteristics of people, things, events or situations
under study that vary from one subject to another. These
variables are assessed and measured quantitatively and
qualitatively.
Characteristics of Variables
 They are two or ore mutually exclusive values or properties
that can be quantitatively and qualitatively measured
 They are varying factors that affects the phenomenon,
nursing situations or case under study
 Varying qualities of people, institution, situations or
statuses
 They can be heterogeneous
 Re s e a r c h Va r i a b l e s

These are qualities, properties or characteristics of people things, events or situation under
study. These variables are assessed and measured qualitatively or quantitatively.
Independent Variable
 These are the factors manipulated by the researcher and the focus of inquiry.
 The presumed cause (antecedent or influence to the dependent variable). It is
the factor, characteristics or conditions is introduced, removed or manipulated
to cause a change in the dependent variable that is observed or measured. The
IV is also called the treatment, stimulus, predictor, input or experimental
variable.
Dependent Variable
 This is the factor or variable that is affected or influenced by the IV.
 The presumed effects (output or outcome). It is a factor, characteristics or
condition that is observed and measured to find out how the independent
variable affects it. Outcomes, response, output, and criterion or attribute
variable.
 Sample.Sample.Sample

 Self Concept, Personal and Professional

Characteristics of Staff Nurses in Relation to
Patients’ Satisfaction
 Work Values of Nurse Managers and Clinical
Performance of Staff Nurses
 Thermoregulation of Infant utilizing Mineral Water
Container and Droplight
 Improve Weight of Infants under Infant Massage
Therapy
 Preoperative Teaching and the Extent of Pain Relief
Needed by Patient
What are the Basic
Components of
Research
1. Title of the Study
 Is one of the major components of your research paper. It should
be formulated so that the reader would get the idea of what
he/she will be reading about. 
 Embodies words or phrases which gives the idea of what the
researcher study is all about.
2. Introduction
 This section presents a brief discussion of the rationale and
background of the problem or subject of inquiry.
 Context of the problem and its historical background
 Authoritative viewpoints on the problems
 The researchers interest in working on the problem
 The purpose of the study in relation to the problem
What are the Basic
Components of
Research
TIPS FOR HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION
There are a few tips that can help you write a strong introduction, arousing interest and
encouraging the reader to read the rest of your work.

Keep it Short. A long and rambling introduction will soon put people off and lose you marks.
Stick closely to your outline for the paper, and structure your introduction in a similar
way.

Define the Problem. The entire introduction should logically end at the research question
and thesis statement or hypothesis. The reader, by the end of the introduction, should
know exactly what you are trying to achieve with the paper. In addition,
your conclusion and discussion will refer back to the introduction, and this is easier if
you have a clearly defined problem.

Organization. As you write the paper, you may find that it goes in a slightly different
direction than planned. In this case, go with the flow, but make sure that you adjust the
introduction accordingly. Some people work entirely from an outline and then write the
introduction as the last part of the process. This is fine if it works for you.
 Sample
The Aetas are numerous in Luzon, particularly in Zambales mountain range stretching from
Bataan, Zambales. They are mountain people with dark skin kinky hair, snub nose black eyes and with
small body frame. They usually stand from 1.35 to 1.05 meters tall in height. Their communities belong
to the Negritos (ethnic group) there are small Aetas settlement in Iram they have their own dialect but
they communicate to the low landers and outsiders in Tagalog vernacular. It used to be a taboo for them
to marry a non-tribal member but this tradition was broken in 1977 when a daughter of an old chieftain
married a lowlander.
According to Macatuno (2006) he elaborated that this event set the trend for mixed marriage that is
the one of their tradition but it has many religious and belief practices that performed by the Aetas. They
believe in supreme being who rule over lesser spirits or deities. They worship Apo Namalayani, whom
they regard as the creator believed to inhabit the mountain top of Pinatubo in Zambales. There is no
specific mention of other God’s of the Aetas, but one source mentions that the four manifestation of the
“Great Creator” growth of goods. They also believe that there are spirits mat live in the environment such
as in the sky, river, sea, mountain, and others. They also believed that evil spirits are the usual cause of
illness as punishment for wrong doing.
The purpose of this study is to further support the knowledge of the reader and the researcher
ancestral domain the changes of the Aetas life after the Pinatubo eruption and its effect on their way of
living, and it triggers the social consciousness of the researchers more than any other indigenous
communities in the province. This study also defined how the Aetas’ at Iram Resettlement affects their
primary health by their health belief and their health practices. This study will also give the reader a
clearer view about the culture and their activity.
What are the Basic
Components of
Research
3. Statement of the Problem.
 The problem statement must be clearly stated. It must be expressed in precise
terms as the subject of inquiry. It indicates the population and the major variables
of the study needed to be subjected to empirical testing.
 Consist of the Main Problem and the Sub Problems
 MAIN PROBLEM. Directs attention to the subject of the investigation, particularly
the main issue to be answered. This is also referred to as the goal of the study that
requires a long term and broader solutions.
(Thesis by Magno UST 1996)

To determine the correlation between Staff Nurses Extent of Knowledge and Their
Clinical performance of the Nursing Process as a Basis for “Improving the
Curriculum and the Related Learning Experience Programs of Nursing Education”
and the Staff Development of the Nursing Service.
 What are the Basic
Components of
Research
(Thesis by Abella 2009)
This study aimed to assess: What are the professional and behavioral conducts of clinical
instructor of the selected private nursing colleges in Olongapo City during the academic year
2009-2010?

Specifically, this study will seek to answer the following questions;

1. Profile of the respondents:
 Gender;
 Age;
 Qualification/s;
 Length of Service in the Academic
 Years experience in the hospital as a staff nurse
2. How may the professional attributes of the clinical instructors be describe in terms of:
 Professional Competencies
 Integrity and Objectivity
 Solidarity and teamwork
 Commitment in serving others
 Social and Civil Responsibility
 Observance of Equality
 Global Competencies
What are the Basic
Components of
Research
3. How may the behavioral conducts of a clinical instructor be express along the following:
 Attitude towards work assignment
 Relationship to the students and patients
 Relationship to the superiors and colleagues
 Observance of the proper behavior of a professional
 Observance of the ethical principle of the nursing profession
 Approach to stress and anger
4. Is there a significant relationship between the gender, age, qualification, length of service in
the academe, years of experience in the hospital as a staff nurse of the clinical instructor
with the observance of their professional and behavioral conduct?
5. What is the implication of the findings to the related learning experience and the nursing
education?
What are the Basic
Components of
Research
SUB PROBLEMS: This also refers to the objectives of the study which requires
short term inquiry and narrowed down solutions. There should be 3 to 8 sub
problems to BREAK the main problem into each sub problems contributing to
the solution of the main problem.
Example: Magno Master’s Thesis 1996 “Correlation Between Staff Nurses Extent
of Knowledge and Their Clinical Performance of the Nursing Process”

Specifically this study aims to answer the following;

1. What is the staff nurse’s extent of knowledge of the nursing process in relation to its five
aspects;
1. Assessment;
2. Diagnosis;
3. Planning;
4. Implementation;
5. Exvaluation?
What are the Basic
Components of
Research
Example: Magno Master’s Thesis 1996 “Correlation Between Staff Nurses Extent
of Knowledge and Their Clinical Performance of the Nursing Process”

2. What is the extent of the staff nurses knowledge of the nursing process as perceived by
themselves and their head nurse?
3. To what extent is the nursing process performed efficiently by the staff nurses as
perceived by themselves and their head nurses?
4. Is there significant correlation between the staff nurses extent of knowledge and their
clinical performance of the nursing process in relation to the five components?
5. Is there significant differences in the staff nurses knowledge and their clinical
performance of the nursing process as perceived by themselves and their head nurse?
 Sample
This study assessed the health beliefs and practices among Aetas of Iram resettlement in Olongapo City and its implication
to their primary health care.
Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions:
1. How may the profile of the respondent’s be described in terms of;
Age;
Gender;
Civil Status;
Occupation?
2. How may the heath beliefs of Aetas be described in terms of;
1. Belief in Supernatural Beings; and its effect on individual health
3. How may the Health Practices of Aetas be described in terms of:
3.1 Restoring the HerbalMedicine;
3.2 Health Consultation or Maintenance;
3.3 Maternal and Child Care and
3.4 Nutrition?
4. Is there a significant difference on the health belief and health practice among Aetas when group according to;
4.1 Age;
4.2 Gender;
5.Is there a significant difference on the implication to their Primary Health Care when Group according to:
5.1 Age;
5.2 Gender;
6. Is there significant relationship between the Aetas health beliefs and health practices and its implication to their Primary Health
Care?
THE RESEARCH PROCESS

Conceptualizing Phase
The researcher develops the formal questions to be
studied and place it into some larger context
 Formulating and delimiting the problem
 Reviewing related literature
 Undertaking clinical fieldworks
 Defining the framework and developing
conceptual definitions  Empirical Phase
 Formulating the hypothesis  Collecting data
Design and Planning Phase  Preparing the data for analysis
The researcher make a number of methodological  Analytic Phase
decision regarding the strategies to be used to  Analyzing the Data
collect and analyze the data to address the  Interpreting the result
research question and evaluate decisions before  Dissemination Phase
implementation  Communicating the findings
 Selecting the research design
 Utilizing the findings in practice
 Developing the protocols for the intervention
 Identifying the population to be studied
 Designing the sampling plan
 Specifying methods to measure the research
variables
 Developing methods for safeguarding
human/animal rights
 Finalizing and reviewing the research plan
 Sampling Procedure

Guidepost on the Sampling Procedure

 Universe “totality of the element”
 Population “refers to the accessible group”
 Subjects “group of individual or object chosen to provide data”
 Stratum “mutually exclusive segment”
 Sampling “process of selecting a representative portion of the
population”
 Sampling unit “specific area or place”
 Sampling frame “complete list of sampling unit”
 Sloven Formula “used to get the sample size”
 Sample “portion of the population where data will be solicited”
 Sampling Procedure

Types of Sampling
Probability Sampling
Involves random selection in choosing elements. Researcher can specify the probability
that each element of the population will be included in the sample. There is less bias, as
every element in the population has equal chances to be selected, but this is time
consuming expensive and inconvenient.
 
 S i m p l e R a n d o m S a m p l i n g -researcher established sampling frame (listing
elements), then numbering all elements then selecting sample elements
 S t r a t i f i e d R a n d o m S a m p l i n g -researchers divides the population into
homogenous subgroups, from which elements are selected at random.
 C l u s t e r S a m p l i n g -researcher selects random samples successively from larger to
smaller units by either simple or stratified random methods
 S y s t e m a t i c S a m p l i n g -researcher selects kth case from a list (where
k=population divided by desired sample size)where k is the sampling interval (standard
distance between elements)
 Sampling Procedure

Types of Sampling
Non-Probability Sampling
Does not involved random selection (non random methods)
The researcher cannot estimate the precise elements of the population that will be
included in the sample. It is convenient and economical; however it is likely to produce
biased samples.
 
 C o n v e n i e n c e ( a c c i d e n t a l ) S a m p l i n g -using most convenient available
people as participants
 S n o w b a l l i n g ( n e t w o r k o r c h a i n ) S a m p l i n g -every sample identifies and
refers other person who meet the inclusion criteria
 Q u o t a S a m p l i n g -researcher indentifies population strata and determines how many
participants are needed from each stratum
 P u r p o s i v e ( j u d g m e n t a l ) S a m p l i n g -researchers decide purposely to select
subjects who are judged to be typical of the population or particularly knowledgeable
about the issues under study.
 Re s e a r c h Va r i a b l e s

These are qualities, properties or characteristics of people things, events or situation under
study. These variables are assessed and measured qualitatively or quantitatively.
Independent Variable
 These are the factors manipulated by the researcher and the focus of inquiry.
 The presumed cause (antecedent or influence to the dependent variable). It is
the factor, characteristics or conditions is introduced, removed or manipulated
to cause a change in the dependent variable that is observed or measured. The
IV is also called the treatment, stimulus, predictor, input or experimental
variable.
Dependent Variable
 This is the factor or variable that is affected or influenced by the IV.
 The presumed effects (output or outcome). It is a factor, characteristics or
condition that is observed and measured to find out how the independent
variable affects it. Outcomes, response, output, and criterion or attribute
variable.
 Sample.Sample.Sample

 Self Concept, Personal and Professional

Characteristics of Staff Nurses in Relation to
Patients’ Satisfaction
 Work Values of Nurse Managers and Clinical
Performance of Staff Nurses
 Thermoregulation of Infant utilizing Mineral Water
Container and Droplight
 Improve Weight of Infants under Infant Massage
Therapy
 Preoperative Teaching and the Extent of Pain Relief
Needed by Patient
Assumptions

 These are statements of assertions related to the problems usually

drawn from the theoretical framework. These are accepted by the
researchers as TRUE on the basic of logical reasoning or reason.
 U n i v e r s a l A s s u m p t i o n come from the knowledge of the researcher and
from observed facts. They are also beliefs as TRUE by most people and need no
testing or verification.
 S t u d y A s s u m p t i o n s confirm the validity of the explanatory variables as well
as basis for formulating the hypothesis of the study.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

M o t i v a t i o n . something that causes a person to act

M o t i v a t i o n . Ability of the nurse on duty to accomplish her task on time
 Review of Related Literature

 Review of literature is composed of discussion of facts and principles to which

the present study is related. The literature review consists of a collection of
pertinent readings, published or unpublished, in local or foreign settings.
 Related studies on the other hand are studies, inquiries, or investigations
already concluded to which the present proposed study is related and has some
similarity.

Types of Related Literature

 CONCEPTUAL LITERATURE. These are non research references materials
written by authorities on the subject that embody experiences, viewpoints and
interpretations of the subject of the research study.

 RESEARCH LITERATURE. These consist of studies and researches or theses

and dissertations published or unpublished, which have bearing on the current
research.
 Review of Related Literature

Sources of Materials for Literature Review

 PRIMARY SOURCE Information and data for the review are taken directly from
the original research or author of the references materials (Nursing literature,
Theories, Ideas from other sources, Empirical studies)
 SECONDARY SOURCE Materials for the review are taken from a researcher or
an author who cited the original author in his works.

 Guidepost in Writing the Review of Related Literature

 The review should not be a mere collection of quotations
 It is not merely a series of summaries or abstracts
 It must be a well integrated discussion
 Chronology is observed
 The setting is either local or international
 Review of Related Literature

Sources of Materials for Literature Review

 PRIMARY SOURCE Information and data for the review are taken directly from
the original research or author of the references materials (Nursing literature,
Theories, Ideas from other sources, Empirical studies)
 SECONDARY SOURCE Materials for the review are taken from a researcher or
an author who cited the original author in his works.

 Guidepost in Writing the Review of Related Literature

 The review should not be a mere collection of quotations
 It is not merely a series of summaries or abstracts
 It must be a well integrated discussion
 Chronology is observed
 The setting is either local or international
 Review of Related Literature

 Thesis Review “describes content of the previous studies

conducted”
 Thesis Critique “appraisal of the vital components of a
study, particularly the problems, methodology, results and
conclusion”
 Thesis Abstract “the summary of research content”
 Plagiarism “presenting the ideas or words of another as
one’s own nor distort and fabricate the data for the purpose
of completing the research on time”
 RA 8293 The Philippine Copyright Law
Literature Review
What is Literature Review?
 A literature review discusses published
information in a particular subject area, and
sometimes information in a particular subject area
within a certain time period
 A literature review is a summary of research that has been
published about a particular subject. It provides the reader
with an idea about the current situation in terms of what
has been done, and what we know. Sometimes it includes
suggestions about what needs to be done to increase the
knowledge and understanding of a particular problem.
What is Literature Review? cont
 A literature review is a description of the
literature relevant to a particular field or topic.
 It gives an overview of what has been said, who
the key writers are, what are the prevailing
theories and hypotheses, what questions are
being asked, and what methods and
methodologies are appropriate and useful. As
such, it is not in itself primary research, but
rather it reports on other findings.
What is Literature Review? cont
 As a piece of writing, the literature review
must be defined by a guiding concept (e.g.,
your research objective, the problem or issue
you are discussing, or your argumentative
thesis).
 It is not just a descriptive list of the material
available, or a set of summaries.
 So it’s
 Besides enlarging your knowledge about the
topic, writing a literature review lets you gain
and demonstrate skills in two areas:
 information seeking: the ability to scan the
literature efficiently, using manual or
computerized methods, to identify a set of
useful articles and books
 critical appraisal: the ability to apply
principles of analysis to identify unbiased and
valid studies.
Why do we write literature reviews?
 Literature reviews provide you with a handy guide to a
particular topic. If you have limited time to conduct
research
 literature reviews can give you an overview or act as a
stepping stone.

 Literature reviews also provide a solid background for a

research paper's investigation.
But how is a literature review different from
an academic research paper?
academic research paper literature review

focus to support your own argument focus to summarize and synthesize

the arguments and ideas of others

covers a range of sources, but it is it is not as important as covering a

usually a select number of sources number of sources

an academic research paper and a literature review contain some of the

same elements. In fact, many academic research papers will contain a
.literature review section
 What should I do before writing the
literature review?
Clarify
If your assignment is not very specific, seek clarification from
your instructor:
 Roughly how many sources should you include?

 What types of sources (books, journal articles, websites)?

 Should you summarize, synthesize, or critique your sources
by discussing a common theme or issue?
 Should you evaluate your sources?

 Should you provide subheadings and other background

information, such as definitions and/or a history?
What should I do before
writing the literature review?
 Find models

 Narrow your topic

A literature review must do these things:

 be organized around and related directly to

the thesis or research question you are
developing
 synthesize results into a summary of what is
and is not known
 identify areas of controversy in the literature
 formulate questions that need further
research
Ask yourself questions like these:
 What is the specific thesis, problem, or research
question that my literature review helps to define?
 What type of literature review am I conducting? Am I
looking at issues of theory? methodology? policy?
quantitative research (e.g. on the effectiveness of a new
procedure)? qualitative research (e.g., studies )?
 What is the scope of my literature review? What types of
publications am I using (e.g., journals, books,
government documents, popular media)? What discipline
am I working in (e.g., nursing psychology, sociology,
medicine)?
Ask yourself questions like these about each book or
article you include:

 Has the author formulated a problem/issue?

 Is it clearly defined? Is its significance (scope,
severity, relevance) clearly established?
 What is the author's research orientation (e.g.,
interpretive, critical science, combination)?
 What is the author's theoretical framework (e.g.,
database, Interface, Multimedia, Application )?
 Has the author evaluated the literature relevant to
the problem/issue?
Structuring a literature review

 It is often difficult to decide how to organise the huge

amount of information you have collected.

 The structure of each dissertation will be different but

there are some general principles and these are really
the guidelines you should use for any piece of academic
writing. The dissertation is just much longer than most
essays or other pieces of work.
Structuring a literature review cont
 Introduction to the literature review

 Main part

 Conclusions
Two common ways to organize and
structure a literature review
 Chronological:

 Thematic:
GENRAL NOTS
Length
The length of a literature review varies
depending on its purpose and audience.
In a thesis or dissertation, the review is usually
a full chapter (at least 20 pages), but for an
assignment it may only be a few pages
Final Notes:

 A literature review is a piece of discursive prose,

not a list describing or summarizing one piece of
literature after another.
 It's usually a bad sign to see every paragraph
beginning with the name of a researcher. Instead,
organize the literature review into sections that
present themes or identify trends, including relevant
theory.
 You are not trying to list all the material published,
but to synthesize and evaluate it according to the
guiding concept of your thesis or research question.
Primary and Secondary
Flow of Task in the Review
of Literature
Activity
 Definition of Terms
Reason for defining the variables:
 To guide and direct the researcher in quantifying and qualifying
the variables
 To ensure clarity of the meaning of the variables and minimize the
readers misconception
 Direct the reader into he meaning of the words according to the
researchers own interpretation and analysis if variables

Types of Definition
 Conceptual
 Operational
 Lexical
Conceptual Definition
• Is a definition that is universally understood. It is a general
statement of properties or qualities common to a number of
cases or examples.
• This uses hypothetical criteria to identify a phenomenon
rather than what is observable.
• Textual meaning of words/subjective or theoretical
Operational Definition
• Is the researcher’s own definition of terms as used in the
study. It is concrete and measurable, based on the
observable characteristics of what is being defined within
the context of the phenomenon under investigation.
– Denotative are defined in terms of what the concept is or
what it represents
– Connotative are defined according to implications or
associations one might make with the variable
Lexical Definition

• These are definitions taken from authorities

on the subject or terms being defined.
 Scope and Delimitation

• The researcher must be aware of and should

categorically state certain constraints or
restrictions in the study.
• Delimitation sets the parameters of the study
by accepting what should be included, and
rejected what should be excluded.
 The Research Hypothesis

Hypothesis educated guess or tentative answer to a question that

establishes the basis for statistical treatment.
 Should be simple, specific, and dated in advance.
 Are statements of the expected relationship among the variables being studied
 A good hypothesis then is easily understood specific, conceptually clear, tangibly
measured.
• Null Hypothesis- a negative statement which indicates that
there is no association or relationship between and among
variables. Formal basis for testing the statistical
significance (Ho)
• Alternative Hypothesis- a positive research hypothesis that
proposes association or significant relationship between
variables (Ha)
• Directional Hypothesis- states whether the relationship
between the variables is positive or negative, directs or
inverse
 Purpose and Characteristics of
Hypothesis
Purpose of Hypothesis:
 Unify theory and reliability
 Hypothesis give direction to research
 Hypothesis enhance knowledge
Is the hypothesis
Characteristics of Hypothesis proven?
 Testability
No it is only accepted or
 Anticipated relationship
 Logical and justifiable rejected
 Based from the research problems
 Factually and theoretically based
 Sets the limits of the study
 Accepted or rejected
 The Research Hypothesis

 Tall people eat more than short people.

 Tall people and people with high caloric intake tend to
weigh more than short people than short people and
people with low calorie intake.
 People who smokes are more prone to lung cancer than
those who do not smoke.
 There is no significant relationship between the perception
of the nursing student and their clinical instructors with
regards to professional conduct.
 There is a significant difference in incidence of skin
breakdown between patient who are and who are not place
in air bed.
Categories of Research
 Basic or Pure Research this is intended to increase knowledge
in science. The end product of research is purely knowledge.
 To widen the knowledge base
 Formulation or refinement of theory
 For discovery of general principles

 Applied Research this is performed to acquire knowledge or obtain

information that serves a practical purposes. Applied research is focused on
finding solutions to existing problem. It is a collaborative process involving
other members of the health care team that provides solutions to practical
problems in the organization.
 Focuses on facts which can be changed by intervention to achieve a desired
goal
 For solving problems
Research DESIGN
• Experimental Research- this research approaches
possible cause and effect relationship of certain
variable through careful control or manipulation.

• Non Experimental Research. The researcher does

not interfere with nature, and the conditions for
research are realistic or uncontrolled. This is
mostly conducted in natural settings. They are
research situation in which the researcher cannot
control and manipulate the independent variable.
Experimental Research

 True Experiment. An inquiry that consider four properties of experimental

research namely;
Manipulation- the researcher subjects the respondents of the study to some kind of
situation for a specific purpose.
Control- the researcher impose certain condition over the experimental situation;
Control Group- this group is not subjected to any experimental treatment.
Experimental Group- this group is subjected to the treatment used by the
researcher whose performance is compared and analyzed
according to the performance of the control group on a
dependent variable.
Randomization- the researcher assigns subjects to a control or experimental group
on random basis
Validity
 Quasi Experimental. This is an experiment that lacks one of the four
properties of true experiments
Advantage and Disadvantage

Advantage of Experimental Design

 Explains and establishes causal relationship of variables
 Increase purity of observations
 Free from the pressure of daily life when conducted in a controlled
unit
 
Disadvantage of Experimental Research
 Dangerous
 Difficult to create condition
 Time constraint
 Non cooperative of the subjects
 Population constraint
 Types of Non Experimental

 Descriptive Research- it is a systematically, factually and accurately describe an

area of interest or situation. Descriptive research may also deal with comparison
and contrast; or the discovery of existing relationship between events or groups.
Types of Descriptive Research
• Surveys
• Correlation Studies
• Case Study
• Feasibility Study
• Content Analysis
• Decision Making
• Problem Solving
 
 Historical Research- this research purports to reconstruct the past objectively
and accurately. The process involves investigation, recording, analysis and
interpretation of past events to understand the present better and anticipate the
future.
 Types of Non Experimental

Types of Descriptive Research

• Surveys gathers primarily quantitative data

• Correlation Studies examines the relationship
• Case Study in depth study of a single case
• Feasibility Study determine the variability of an undertaking
• Content Analysis synthesizing or dissecting
• Decision Making selects the most possible course
• Problem Solving solutions
 
 Advantage and Disadvantage

Reasons for Conducting Non-Experimental Research

 Situation in which the individual variable is inherently non manipulable
 There are variables that can be manipulated technically but should not be for ethical reasons
 There are situations in which it is deemed impractical or undesirable to conduct experiments
 
Advantages of Non-Experimental Research
 Retrospective and less expensive
 Adequate time
 Cooperation is easy to obtain
 Funding is available
 
Disadvantages of Non-Experimental Research
 Not capable of estimating causal relationship
 Cannot be applied to a new product or procedure
 Is not useful in the development of theories, principles and concepts
 Oftentimes not considered as true research
 Other Type of Research

Quantitative Research
 Associated with positivist tradition
 Gathers numerical values as its data
 Uses deductive reasoning
 Using control
 Gathers empirical evidence (from objective reality collected through senses)
 Takes places both in natural as well as in contrived laboratory settings
Qualitative Research
 Associated with naturalistic inquiry
 Gathers narrative description as its data
 Investigate phenomena and concepts
 Uses inductive process
 Uses subjectivity that enriches the analytic insights
 Gathers information, insights that leads to search for further evidence
 Takes place in the field
 Other Type of Research
Types of Quantitative Research
 Descriptive Research-objective is accurate depiction of the characteristics of a person, situation or
groups and or frequency with which certain phenomena occurs
 Correlational Research-explores the interrelationship among variables of interest without any active
intervention by the researcher
 Quasi-Experimental Research-conducted to determine the effects of treatment or independent
variables on the dependent variables or outcome variable. It lacks the control of the design, samples or
setting.
 Experimental Research-it examines the cause and effect relationship between independent and
dependent variable under highly controlled condition
Types of Qualitative Research
 Phenomological Research-concerned with lived experienced of humans. It is an approach to thinking
about what life experience of people are like and what they mean
 Grounded Theory Research-seeks to understand the key social psychological and structural processes
that occurs in a social setting. A major component is the discovery of a core variable that is central in
explaining what is going on in that social scene
 Ethnographic Research-the primary research tradition within anthropology, which provides a framework
for studying the meaning, patterns and experience of a defined cultural group in a holistic fashion
 Historical Research-narrative description or analysis of events that occurred in the remote or recent
past
 Case Studies-in depth examination and analysis of people or group of people in relation to nursing
issues or problems that is important to the client and the researcher.
 Field Studies-natural investigation done in the community, such as in nursing homes, housing project
Data Collection

Methods of Data Collection

1. Use of existing or available data

 Raw data from basic documents such as records of patient admission, birth
dates, discharges etc
 Tabular data indicating number of patient admitted or discharged in a year
or month, or total number of deliveries, surgeries or workloads of nurses
2. Use of observer’s data gathered through actual observation and recording of
events. Subjects must be informed for ethical consideration.
 Non participant observer does not share the same environment with the
subject and is not a member of the group
 Participant observer shares the same environment and its better acquainted
without their knowledge
Data Collection

Methods of Data Collection

3. Use of self recording or reporting approach uses a specifically prepared

document intended to collect data called instrument.
 Questionnaires a paper and pencil approach where participants are asked
to answer set of questions, it is the most frequent used research instrument
to gather the needed data from the respondents pertinent to the purpose of
the study.
 Interview guide one on one dialogue with the subject asks or reads a
questions to elicit answers from the latter. (structure and unstructured)
4. Anecdotal method and documentary materials
5. Mechanical instruments
Research Instrument

Instrument are specially prepared tools or devices used to collect needed

data or information and facilitates observation and measurement of
research variables.

 Must suit the purpose of the study

 Gather needed data
 Must be valid indicator should be clearly stated so that respondents perception
will not be biased
 Reliable
 Should be easy to administer
 Scale of the measurement should be appropriate
Research Instrument
Types of Research Instrument Types of Close Ended Questions
 Questionnaires paper and pencil
approach
 Dichotomous
 Scanning Questionnaires
 Multichotomous
 Interview Guide
 Fixed Alternative
Types of Questions Asked  Projective Question
 Open Ended  Cafeteria Questions
 Close Ended  Rank Order
 Checklist “matrix”
Research Instrument
Ways to Start Research Questions Advantage of Questionnaires
 State in affirmative rather than  Facilitates gathering
negative  Easy to test data reliability and
 Questions should be neutrally validity
worded  Less time consuming than
 Ambiguous questions must be interview
avoided  Preserves the anonymity and
 Avoid double negative questions confidentiality
 Avoid double barrel questions Disadvantage of Questionnaires
 Costly
 Less chance to clarify ambiguous
answer
 Respondents must be literate
 Rate of retrieval can be low
Research Instrument
Advantage of Interview Disadvantage of Interview

 Response are broad and varied  Time consuming and expensive

 Respondents can give complete  Schedule for interview may be
answer difficult
 Verbal and non verbal behavior  Interviewer needs training
can be observe  Respondents answer may be
 There is flexibility in questions influenced by the interviewers
behavior

Criteria for Evaluating Instrument

R.E.S.S.Se.R.V.M.O.
 Measurement of Variables

1. Quantitative Measurement
a. Scale of Measurement refers to a device that assigns code numbers. (0-10
2. Qualitative Description
1. Nominal name and classifies persons or objects into 2 or more categories having
common set of characteristics
2. Ordinal classifies subject or objects by ranking them from the highest to lowest
Likert Scale respondent are asked to indicate the degree to which they
agree or disagree.
Graphic Rating Scale respondents are asked to respond in a bipolar continuum
(highest to lowest or most to least)
Guttman Scale used to assess the attitudes of the respondents using a continuum
of cumulative statements
Semantic Differential use to measure the meaning of concept to determine the
emotional evaluative response
 Statistical Measurement

Kinds of Statistics
 Descriptive Statistics intended to organize and summarize numerical
data from population and sample.
 Inferential Statistics concerned with population and the use of sample
data to predict future occurrence.
 Mode the number that occurs most frequent
 Median divides the distribution at the 50th percentile
 Mean the arithmetic average (summation of all scores divided by number of cases)
 Correlation reflects the relationship between two variables (Pearson Correlation
Spearman Rank Correlation)
 T test designed to examine the statically difference between two means
 Z test unrelated groups
 ANOVA same with t test but more versatile because it can compare two or more
groups
 APA Citations
Citing References:

The custom of citing references :

 that is, providing a record of the sources you have used for your research
 is a form of professional honesty and courtesy that is based on a regard for the
responsibilities that writers have to readers and to other writers to indicate
when they have used someone else's ideas or words.
General Guidelines:
• Items are presented in alphabetical order by the first author's last name, or, if
no author is listed, by the first element of the citation (generally the title).
• During your research, develop a consistent system for noting bibliographic
information (author, title, date, publisher, source, page numbers) and keep it
with your notes or copies of the source material you used.
• Always consult your professor/department/publisher for specific requirements.
 APA Citations
 Bankes, P., Boss, J., Cochran, A., Duemer, L., McCrary,
J., & Salazar, D. (2001). Censorship and restraint:
Lessons learned from the Catalyst.College Student
Journal, 35, 335-338. Retrieved August 14, 2003, from
Ebsco Academic Search Elite database.

 Chafee, Z., Jr. (1962). Freedom of speech and press. In

W. S. Dowden & T. N. Marsh (Eds.), The heritage of
freedom: Essays on the rights of free men (pp. 140-156).
New York: Harper.
Thanks for a beautiful day: On a beautiful day,
we may thank God and praise him for his many
gifts.

Father of Jesus,
We praise you and give you glory
For the wonderful things you do for us;
For life and health,
for friends and family,
for this splendid day.

For these reasons, we pray as Jesus taught us:

Our Father...
Which one of the following criteria should be
considered as a top priority in nursing care?
A. Avoidance of destructive changes
B. Preservation of life
C. Assurance of safety
D. Preservation of integrity
Which of the following measures will best prevent
manipulation of vulnerable groups?
A. Secure informed consent
B. Payment of stipends for subjects
C. Protect privacy of patient
D. Ensure confidentiality of data
Which of the following procedures ensures that Ms.
Montana has fully described to prospective subjects the
nature of the study and the subject’s rights?
A. Debriefing
B. Full disclosure
C. Informed consent
D. Covert data collection
After the review session has been completed, Karen
and the staff signed the document. Which of the
following is the purpose of this?
A. Agree about the content of the evaluation.
B. Signify disagreement of the content of the evaluation.
C. Document that Karen and the staff reviewed the
evaluation.
D. Serve as basis for future evaluation.
This technique refers to the use of multiple referents
to draw conclusions about what constitutes the truth
A. Triangulation
B. Experiment
C. Meta-analysis
D. Delphi technique
The statement, “Ninety percent (90%) of the
respondents are female staff nurses validates previous
research findings (Santos, 2001; Reyes, 2005) that the
nursing profession is largely a female dominated
profession is an example of
A. implication
B. interpretation
C. analysis
D. conclusion
He plans to use a Likert Scale to determine
A. degree of agreement and disagreement
B. compliance to expected standards
C. level of satisfaction
D. degree of acceptance
Which of the following is NOT true about a
hypothesis? Hypothesis is:
A. testable
B. proven
C. stated in a form that it can be accepted or rejected
D. states a relationship between variables
The study is said to be completed when Ms.
Montana achieved which of the following activities?
A. Published the results in a nursing journal.
B. Presented the study in a research forum.
C. The results of the study is used by the nurses in the hospital
D. Submitted the research report to the CEO.
While reviewing journal articles, Stephanie got
interested in reading the brief summary of the article
placed at the beginning of the journal report. Which of
the following refers to this?
A. Introduction
B. Preface
C. Abstract
D. Background
She notes down ideas that were derived from the
description of an investigation written by the person
who conducted it. Which type of reference source
refers
to this?
A. Footnote
B. Bibliography
C. Primary source
This kind of research gathers data in detail about a
individual or groups and presented in narrative form,
which is
A. Case study
B. Historical
C. Analytical
D. Experimental
She notes that the dependent variable in the
hypothesis “Duration of sleep of cuddled infants is
longer than those infants who are not cuddled by
mothers” is
A. Cuddled infants
B. Duration of sleep
C. Infants
D. Absence of cuddling
She states the hypothesis of the study. Which of the
following is a null hypothesis?
A. Infants who are breastfed have the same weight as
those who are bottle fed.
B. Bottle-fed infants have lower weight than breast-fed
infants
C. Cuddled infants sleep longer than those who are left
by themselves to sleep.
D. Children of absentee parents are more prone to
experience depression than those who live with both
parents.
During data collection, Harry encounters a patient
who refuses to talk to him. Which of the following is a
limitation of the study?
A. Patient’s refusal to fully divulge information.
B. Patients with history of fever and cough
C. Patients admitted or who seeks consultation at the ER
and doctors offices
D. Contacts of patients with history of fever and cough
The use of another person’s ideas or wordings
without giving appropriate credit results from
inaccurate or incomplete attribution of materials to
its resources. Which of the following is referred to
when another person’s idea is inappropriately
credited as one’s own?
a. Plagiarism
b. Quotation
c. Assumption
d. Paraphrase
Which of the following usually refers to the
independent variables in doing research?
a. Result
b. Cause
c. Output
d. Effect
The information that an investigator like Vinz
collects from the subjects or participants in a
research study is usually called:
a. Hypothesis
b. Data
c. Variable
d. Concept
Medel conducts sampling at Barangay Maligaya. He
collected 100 random individuals and determine
who is their favorite actor. 50% said Piolo, 20% said
John Lloyd, while some answered Sam, Dingdong,
Richard, and Derek. Medel conducted what type of
research study?
a. Phenomenological
b. Case study
c. Non experimental
d. Survey
Diana, Arlene, and Sally are to conduct a study about
relationship of the number of family members in the
household and the electricity bill, which of the
following is the best research design suited for this
study?
1. Descriptive
2. Exploratory
3. Explanatory
4. Correlational
5. Comparative
6. Experimental
a. 1 and 4
b. 2 and 5
c. 3 and 6
d. 1 and 5
e. 2 and 4
Jezza and Jenny researched about TB – its
transmission, causative agent and factors,
treatment, signs and symptoms, as well as
medication and all other in-depth information about
tuberculosis. This study is best suited for which
research design?
a. Historical
b. Case study
c. Phenomenological
“A supposition or system of ideas that is
proposed to
explain a given phenomenon”, best defines:
a. A paradigm
b. A concept
c. A theory
d. A conceptual framework
An 85 year old client in a nursing home tells a nurse,
“I signed the papers for that research study because
the doctor was so insistent and I want him to
continue taking care of me”. Which client right is
being violated?
a. Right of self determination
b. Right to privacy and confidentiality
c. Right to full disclosure
d. Right not to be harmed
In the hypothesis: “The utilization of technology in
teaching improves the retention and attention of the
nursing students,” which is the dependent variable?
a. Utilization of technology
b. Improvement in the retention and attention
c. Nursing students
d. Teaching
In any research study where individual persons are
involved, it is important that an informed consent of
the study is obtained. The following are essential
information about the consent that you should
disclose to the prospective subjects except:
a. Consent to incomplete disclosure
b. Description of benefits, risks, and discomforts
c. Explanation of procedure
d. Assurance of anonymity and confidentiality
The researcher implemented a medication regimen
using a new type of combination drugs to manic
patients while another group of manic patients
receives the routine drugs. The researcher however
handpicked the experimental group for they are the
clients with multiple episodes if bipolar disorder. The
researcher utilized which research design?
a. Quasi experimental
b. Pure experimental
c. Phenomenological
d. Longitudinal
Which of the following is not true about a pure
experimental research?
a. There is a control group
b. There is an experimental group
c. Selection of subjects in the control group is
randomized
d. There is a careful
A professional nurse can do research for varied
reasons except:
a. Professional advancement through research
participation
b. To validate results of new nursing modalities
c. For financial gains
d. To improve nursing care
Each nurse participant was asked to identify a
problem. After the identification of the research
problem, which of the following should be done?
a. Methodology
b. Review of related literature
c. Acknowledgement
d. Formulate hypothesis
Which of the following communicate the results of
the research to the readers. They facilitate the
description of the data.
a. Hypothesis
b. Statistics
c. Research problem
d. Tables and graphs
She knows that there are three elements of
experimental research. Which is NOT included?
A. Manipulation
B. Randomization
C. Control
D. Trial
One of the related studies that she reads is a
phenomenological research. Which of the following
questions is answered by this type of qualitative
research?
A. ” What is the way of life of this cultural group?”
B. “What is the effect of the intervention to the
dependent variable?”
C. “What the essence of the phenomenon is as
experienced by these people?”
D. “What is the core category that is central in explaining
what is going on in that social scene?”
Harry knows that he has to protect the rights of
human research subjects. Which of the following actions
of Harry ensures anonymity?
A. Keep the identities of the subject secret
B. Obtain informed consent
C. Provide equal treatment to all the subjects of the study.
D. Release findings only to the participants of the study