NUR410 Theoretical Concepts of Research in Nursing

Course Description:
This course introduces the student to components of the research process with application to the theory and practice of
professional nursing. Emphasis is on evidence-based practice utilizing the research process. Students will be introduced
to several research methods with an emphasis on the use of these methods in solving patient care problems. Critiquing
skills will be developed to assist the student in becoming an active consumer of research and a participant on the
research team.
Course Student Learning Outcomes

Articulate the development and context of nursing theories, research and evidence-based practice (EBP). (PO
1)*
Discuss the historical and current bioethical considerations in nursing research. (PO 7)
Contrast quantitative and qualitative research designs. (PO 8)
Identify other frequently utilized research designs. (PO 7)
Describe how a nursing hypothesis or research question is utilized in the nursing research process. (PO 7)
Explain the processes and purpose of the literature review in a nursing research proposal. (PO 7)
Discuss how data is collected, analyzed, presented and disseminated in nursing research. (PO 1)
Critique a current research study for design, content and application to evidence-based practice. (PO 7)
*PO = program outcome

Course Credits: 3 credits (didactic course only)

Course Textbook: Grove, S. K., Burns, N., & Gray, J. R. (2017). The practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and
generation of evidence (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Saunders ISBN: 978-0-323-37758-4
Evaluation Methodologies: The following methodologies are utilized in this course.
threaded discussion question postings
written assignments
midterm
final project
Rubrics are utilized to grade each of these items and are found in the weekly course folders. A course grade is
determined based on the percentage of points as designated in the following chart.
Assessment
Discussions
Assignments
Midterm
ePortfolio
Final Project

Percent of Final Grade

37%
40%
10%
3%
10%

Below is an at-a-glance look at the weekly discussion and assignment topics. In each Getting Started module within
the course, you will find details about your weekly readings, lectures, supplemental resources, discussions and
assignment instructions, and rubrics
TOPICAL OUTLINE BY WEEK
Week 1:

Theory, Research and EBP

Discussion:

Identify the relationship of research, practice, education and EBP. (SLO 1)*

Assignment:

Submit a 2-3 page paper in APA format that discusses the history of ethical nursing research and the
impact that this has on the nursing profession today and the daily practice of nursing. (SLO 2)

Week 2:

Theory and Research

Discussion:

Choose a topic you would like to complete a research study on and discuss why this is important to
you and what you would like to learn about the topic. (SLO 1)

Assignment:

Apply a known nursing theory to your chosen topic and analyze how this will support your idea for a
research study. Include three scholarly references other than the textbook in your written
submission completed in APA format. (SLO 1)

Week 3:

Methodologies and Nursing Research

Discussion:

Determine three methodologies that are commonly used in nursing research with the description of
the methodology and how it might be used in research or practice today. (SLO 3)

Assignment:

In a 2-3 page paper written in APA format, identify and differentiate the steps in a nursing
intervention research project and a nursing outcomes research project. Choose either quantitative
or qualitative research design to use for your nursing research proposal and identify why it is the
best design to use. (SLO 4)

Week 4:

The Research Process Purpose and Problem Statements

Discussion:

Discuss what makes a research problem significant. Using your own chosen topic and nursing theory,
formulate the purpose of the study and develop the problem statement for your nursing research
proposal. Respond to at least two of your peers postings. (SLO 5)

Assignment:

Utilize the resources posted in this weeks lesson and determine if your problem that you have
identified is a priority for the nursing profession. Defend your answer in a 2-3 page paper written in
APA format with at least 3 scholarly references other than the textbook. (SLO 5)

Week 5:

The Research Process Literature Review

Discussion:

Differentiate between a primary source and a secondary source of literature and discuss why this is
relevant in developing a literature review for a study. (SLO 6)

Assignment:

Using the two studies posted in this weeks lesson, critique the quality of the literature reviews and
whether they support the purpose/problem statement of the study. Submit in a 2-3 page paper
written in APA format with at least 3 scholarly references other than the textbook. (SLO 6)

Week 6:

The Research Process Objectives, Questions, and Hypotheses

Discussion:

How does the researcher formulate the objectives, research questions and hypothesis(es) for a
study? How does the researcher know the type of hypothesis to establish: null, directional, nondirectional, research, simple, statistical, etc. (SLO 5)

Assignment:

Utilize the universitys online library to locate a research article that contains objectives, research
questions and hypotheses. Critique the quality of the objectives, research questions and hypothesis.
(SLO 5)

Week 7:

Ethical Considerations in Nursing Research

Discussion:

Discuss what methods a researcher can use to balance risks and benefits of a study. Who would you
want to be on the IRB reviewing your research proposal? (SLO 7)

Assignment:

Describe three rights of subjects that need to be protected in research based on history. How are
the rights violated and how would you prevent these rights from being violated.(SLO 7)
Submit the final project about a major nursing theory. (SLO 8)

Week 8:

Putting it all Together and Getting it Out There

Discussion:

Describe a poster presentation and the preparation needed to present it at a research

conference.(SLO 7)

Assignment:

Based on your final project, write a critique based on the completed components of your study.
What will you revise? How will your research impact EBP?

*SLO = student learning outcome

The following table outlines the academic effort required by students to be successful in this course. While the times in
the table are approximate, it is presented to help students with their time management. Please note, depending on the
student's background knowledge and experience of the course subject and an individual student's academic capabilities,
these times will vary. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to your instructor or student advisor.
Week

Type of Activity
Online

1
Preparation

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

1.0
2.0
0.0
1.2
0.0
9.0
0.0
3

Week

Type of Activity
Online

2
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

3
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

4
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

5
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity

Online

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

0.9
2.0
0.0
0.6
0.0
9.0
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

2.4
2.0
0.0
3.5
0.0
9.0
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

0.3
2.0
0.0
2.2
0.0
9.0
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

1.3
2.0
0.0
2.0
0.0
9.0
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments

Estimated Hours Required

0.8
2.0
0.0
4

Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

0.7
0.0
9.0
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

1.2
2.0
0.0
1.2
1.0
30.0
0.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Online
Discussions
Assignments
8
Readings
Discussions
Preparation
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours
Follow this link for course-related Policies and Contact Information.

Estimated Hours Required

0.8
2.0
0.0
0.9
0.0
13.0
0.0

Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

7
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity