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Practical Research 2: Characteristics of A Research Problem
Practical Research 2: Characteristics of A Research Problem
Questions to ask:
• It is feasible, considering time and the availability of subjects, materials, and
equipment?
• Can the researcher afford the cost of data gathering?
4. Ethical. The subjects should be protected from harm. Informed consent should be
obtained from the participants. Anonymity and confidentiality should be strictly
observed.
For example, students noticed that nurses caring for pediatric patients were
careless in their compliance with the universal precaution guidelines, particularly
by not wearing gloves for IV sticks. Thus, the following research problem was
formulated:
“To what extent do the nurses in the pediatric unit conform to the universal
2. Observation
A group of nurses, for instance, observed that the younger nurses did not adhere
to the guidelines of universal precaution. They also observed that the younger
and the sticker the child, the less likely the nurses were to adhere to the universal
precaution. Thus, a research study was conducted to validate this observation.
3. Literature
Researchers may also replicate studies in a different setting to see if findings can
generalized.
4. Theory
2. Narrow down the problem you have identified to one specific area.
Example:
General Problem Area: Successful breastfeeding in primiparas
Narrowed down;
What is the effect of teaching breastfeeding to primiparas? Or
What is the effect of individualized versus group instruction on successful
breastfeeding practices in primiparas?
- the title of the study gives a general idea of what the research is all about.
- research titles must be clearly stated , concise, and should be limited to at most 15
words ( Nieswiadomy, 2008), if possible
- the variables of the study are reflected in the title, particularly the relationship
variables and the proposed target populations
Hypothesis
Purpose of Hypothesis
2. To provide direction for the research design and the collection, analysis, and
interpretation of data.
Characteristics of Hypotheses
Good hypotheses state clearly and concisely the expected relationship (or difference)
between two or more variables. Regardless of the specific format used to state a hypothesis,
the statement includes the variables being studied, the population being studied, and the
predicted outcomes.
Null Hypotheses
Research Hypotheses
Testing Hypotheses
Hypotheses testing is what scientific research is all about. To test a hypothesis, the
researchers determine the sample, measuring instruments, design, and procedure for collecting
data. A testable hypothesis contains measurable variables, with a relationship that can be
either supported or not supported by the data collected.
Scope and Limitations- Spells out the context of the study in terms of the
subjects, concepts, and specific characteristics of the phenomenon, treatment,
sampling and time frame
a. Journals
b. Abstract journals
c. Indexes
d. Bibliographies and book lists
e. Computerized and bibliographic database
f. Guides and directions
g. Statistical reports
Sources Available to be Researcher
Primary Data Sources
Primary data sources provide a description of a research study as written by the
original researcher/s. They are highly valuable to historians-far greater than secondary
data. These sources can be found in many forms and in many places:
When an idea about a study first emerges, the researcher begins to have a
theory on its possible outcomes and that which explains why such are expected. When
a researcher talks about his/ her plan to employ a particular variable or why a specific
result is expected, he/ she is laying out the conceptual framework of the study. This
framework spells out the logic the researcher used in planning the conduct of the
research. All findings will be interpreted in relation to the theory (theoretical framework)
endorsed by the researcher. The question of whether the theory is correct should be
answered at the end of the study.
What is Theory?
A theory is an integrated set of defined concepts and statements that attempt to
describe, explain, predict, and/ or control a particular phenomenon.
Theories Are Abstract
Theories being abstract means that they have no reference to any specific
instance. In contrast, concrete ideas are concerned with reality and actual instances.
For example, whereas anxiety represents an abstract idea, a family in the waiting room
of an intensive care unit is a particular instance of reality and, thus, is concrete. The
abstract ideas is theories can be tested through research to verify that they hold true in
a concrete reality.
Theories Versus Conceptual Model
Theories are similar to conceptual models in that they are also composed of
interesting concepts.
THEORY
Figure 1
Characteristic of a Theory
A theory is composes of specific concepts and propositions that attempt to
account for a particular notion that is observed in the real world. A theory can be
described as follows:
a. A phenomenon
b. Consists of interrelated concepts that introduce a different view of reality that is
logical in nature
c. Simple but generalizable
d. Acts as basis of hypotheses that can be tested
e. Contributes to increasing the general body of knowledge
f. Can be utilized/applied. (Figure shows that a theory supports nursing practice and
that nursing practice can be a basis formulating theories)
g. Consistent which previously validated knowledge
h. Invented; not discovered
A theory may…
a. Describe an idea
Example: Identifying factor that influence feelings of loneliness in the elderly.
b. Explain an idea
Example: Identifying how pain is experienced during acute stress.
These are conceptual models taken from scientific disciplines outside of nursing
that are reckoned to provide a better picture of what is seen in nursing and more
relevant explanation of how the world operates.
Defining Terms
IN TEXT
To cite information directly or indirectly, there are two ways to acknowledge citations:
1) Make it a part of a sentence or 2) put it in parentheses at the end of the sentence.
Direct quotation – use quotation marks around the quote and include page numbers
1) Cohen and Lotan (2014) argue that "many different kinds of abilities are essential for any
profession" (p.151).
2) “Many different kinds of abilities are essential for any profession" (Cohen & Lotan, 2014,
p.151).
N.B. See the Library’s APA webpage for a quotation of 40 or more words.
N.B. Page numbers are optional when paraphrasing, although it is useful to include
them (Publication Manual, p. 171).
N.B. To cite a source you found in another source, you must acknowledge all the
authors.
• The author(s) of the source referred to i.e. Gould, 1981
• The author(s) of the work which contains the original source i.e. Cohen & Lotan, 2014
In the reference list, only the book by Cohen & Lotan should be acknowledged. Do not
list Gould.
3. Book with three to five authors (see Library APA referencing (Krause,
webpage for six or more authors) Bochner, &
Krause, K.L., Bochner, S., & Duchesne, S. (2006). Educational psychology Duchesne,
for learning and teaching (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Thomson. 2006)
N.B. Use & between authors’ names, except when paraphrasing in text. then
When a work has three, four or five authors, cite all authors the first (Krause et al.,
time, and in subsequent citations include only the first author followed 2006)
by et al.
(Cerveny &