Formulating Effective Research Statements in Healthcare Studies

1. 3.0 Problem statements, Research questions, Hypothesis, statement of purposeJascinth Lindo NURS3010- Research Methods

2. Learning Objectives (Polit) • Describe the function and characteristics of research hypotheses and distinguish different types of hypotheses (e.g., directional versus non-directional, research versus null) • Distinguish forms of problem statements, statements of purpose, research questions and hypothesis for quantitative and qualitative studies • Critique statements of purpose, research questions, and hypotheses in research reports with respect to their placement, clarity, wording, and significance • Define new terms NURS3010- Research Methods

3. A Reminder • Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is closely linked to the Research Process • The Research Process is closely linked to the Nursing Process NURS3010- Research Methods

4. The Research Process Sept 27,2010 Pauline Anderson-Johnson UWISON 4 NURS3010- Research Methods

5. Lets review • You have decided on a research problemthat needs solving. • A research problem is: • An area of concern where there is a gap in knowledge base needed for nursing practice (Burns & Gove, 2009) • Remember not all problems are researchable - Research deals with facts – that is, phenomena that can be observed in the real world. The answers from the research should explain, describe, identify, substantiate, predict or qualify the research question NURS3010- Research Methods

6. Phase 1 of the Research Process • You have decided on a research problem that needs solving • Thru the development of an argument, a problem statement will be developed that will articulate the problem • A statement of purpose (summary of overall goal) is sometimes presented • Research questions are posed (queries to be answered) • Hypotheses are stated for testing NURS3010- Research Methods

7. Problem Statement • Presented early in the report • It is the push/impetus for the research study • Often begins with the first statement of the introduction NURS3010- Research Methods

8. Problem Statement • Expresses the baffling & unsolved situation that needs to be studied • It incorporates a rationale for the study • It is a well structured formulation of the unsolved problem NURS3010- Research Methods

9. Problem Statement – 6 components • Problem identification (What is wrong with the current situation) • Background (what is the nature of the problem that readers need to understand) • Scope of the problem (How big is the problem; # of persons affected) • Consequences of the problem (what is the cost of not fixing it) • Knowledge gaps (what info is lacking) • Proposed solution (how will this new study contribute to solving the problem) NURS3010- Research Methods

10. Problem Statement • Effective problem statement answer the question “Why does the research need to be conducted”. NURS3010- Research Methods

11. Problem statement • Examples NURS3010- Research Methods

12. Statements of Purpose • The research goal is often written as a statement of purpose • It is usually easy to identify because the word “purpose” is clearly stated- “the purpose of this study was ….” • gives the general direction of the study which is stated in 1-2 sentences NURS3010- Research Methods

13. Statement of Purpose –cont.. Quantitative studies – it will • identify the key study variables • their possible relations; • the population NURS3010- Research Methods

14. Statement of Purpose –cont.. • Example Handwashing helps to prevent the spread of nosocomial infections.  • Is the use of soap and water or alcohol-based rubs more effective in preventing these infections? • Identify the independent, dependent variables and the population • State the purpose of the study NURS3010- Research Methods

15. Statement of Purpose • Hip fracture is common in elderly patients after falling. • I have an elderly patient who exhibits an unsteady gait. • Would a hip protector be a useful preventative measure for this patient? • Identify the independent, dependent variables and the population • State the purpose of the study NURS3010- Research Methods

16. Statement of Purpose –cont.. Qualitative studies – • indicates the nature of the inquiry, • the key concept or phenomenon, • the group, community or setting under study • Example: The purpose of this study was to describe satisfactory and unsatisfactory experiences of postpartum nursing car from the perspective of adolescent mothers. NURS3010- Research Methods

17. Statement of Purpose –cont.. • The use of verbs are important • Can often tell the type of study used to solve the problem • Explore, Describe, Test • Evaluate, Examine relationship • Understand etc. NURS3010- Research Methods

18. Research Question • Sometimes direct wording of the statement of purpose • Eg The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between sexual risk taking behaviours and substance use among pregnant adolescents at the UHWI Health Center, Kingston Jamaica NURS3010- Research Methods

19. Research questions Cont.. Quantitative studies – it will identify • the key study variables • their possible relations; • the population • the variables are measureable concepts • questions suggest quantification NURS3010- Research Methods

20. Research questions Cont.. Qualitative studies – the statements • Identifies the phenomenon of interest and the group being studied • Type of question vary by the qualitative traditions • Grounded theory – process questions • Phenomenologists – meaning questions • Ethnographers – descriptive questions NURS3010- Research Methods

21. Hypotheses • Is a statement predicting the relationship of two or more variables • Used in quantitative studies • Predict answers to a query, eg • The research question “What is the relationship between sexual risk-taking and substance abuse among teenage mothers in Jamaica • Teenage mothers who are substances abusers are more likely to high levels of sexual risk-taking behaviour NURS3010- Research Methods

22. Knowledge and diabetes management • Does Knowledge of persons with diabetes • Does the level of knowledge of DM influence self care management among persons with diabetes NURS3010- Research Methods

23. Hypotheses cont.. • Testable hypotheses • State the expected relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable in a population • Adolescents and young mothers who do not take sexual risks and are substances abusers are more likely to be knowledgeable about AIDS, compared to those who take risks… • It is tested thru statistical procedures NURS3010- Research Methods

24. Hypotheses - Types Wording - Should be worded in the present tense Types • Simple or complex hypotheses • Directional or non-directional hypotheses • Research or Null hypotheses NURS3010- Research Methods

25. Hypotheses – Types Cont… • Simple or complex hypotheses • SIMPLE HYPOTHESIS – predicts the relationship between a single IV and a single DV • COMPLEX HYPOTHSIS – predicts the relationship between 2 or more IV or 2 or more DV NURS3010- Research Methods

26. Hypotheses – Types Cont… • Simple or complex hypotheses • Hyperlink to page 159 NURS3010- Research Methods

27. Hypotheses – Types Cont… • DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS – specifies not only the existence but the expected direction of the relationship between the variables • NON DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS - • Does not say the direction of the relationship NURS3010- Research Methods

28. Hypothesis (cont) • Hyperlink page 160 Eg 1-6 NURS3010- Research Methods

29. Hypotheses – Types Cont… • DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS – eg: incontinent patients who receive Two-hourly change in position are less likely to develop decubitus ulcers compared to those receiving daily position change • NON DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS eg: Frequency of change in position of incontinent patients is related to the development of decubitus ulcers NURS3010- Research Methods

30. Hypotheses – Types Cont… • RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS • (scientific hypothesis)– states the actual prediction of relationship between variables • NULL HYPOTHESIS (statistical hypothesis) - expresses the absence of a relationship EG NURS3010- Research Methods

31. Hypotheses – Types Cont… • NULL HYPOTHESIS (statistical hypothesis) - EG Null: - incontinent patients who receive two-hourly change in position are just as likely to develop decubitus ulcers as those receiving 4-hourly position change • RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS (scientific hypotheses) eg • incontinent patients who receive two-hourly change in position are less likely to develop decubitus ulcers compared to those receiving daily position change • Frequency of change in position of incontinent patients is related to the development of decubitus ulcers NURS3010- Research Methods

32. Hypothesis testing • Hypotheses are tested thru statistical analysis • Hypotheses are never proved, they are accepted or supported • They are increasingly supported with more evidence NURS3010- Research Methods

33. Research problems -Examples of terms • (p.147, Polit & Beck, 2010) NURS3010- Research Methods

34. References • Polit, D., & Beck, C.T. (2010). Essentials of nursing research –Appraising evidence for Nursing practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. • Gerrish, K., & Lacey, A. (2010). The research process in nursing. United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. • Polit, D., & Beck, C.T. (2012). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for Nursing practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. NURS3010- Research Methods