Identifying aResearchable Problem

Research Committee Research Committee Module #4Module #4

1 CNE Available1 CNE Available

Created by Heather Beanlands, PhD, RN

There is no conflict of interest in the creation of this education program.

Objectives1. Describe the phases of the

research process.2. Identify sources of research

problems.3. Describe the process of

formulating a research problem.

4. Describe the elements of a “researchable” problem.

What is research? A systematic process of inquiry

Goal directed

Focused on uncovering new knowledge to help understand phenomena, answer questions, or address problems

What makes researchnursing research?

Nursing research is

“a scientific process that validates and refines existing knowledge and generates new knowledge, which directly and indirectly influences nursing practice”

(Burns & Grove, 2005, p. 3)

Quantitative Research Used to describe or test relationships among

variables or to evaluate the effect of one variable on another

Variables are “measured” using standard data collection tools and data are numerical (numbers)

Qualitative Research Used when little is known about a phenomenon Focused on developing a rich, holistic description of

phenomena Data are non numerical (i.e., dialogue, observation,

etc.)

Approaches toresearch in nursing

Phases of the research process

(Norwood, 2000)

Thinking-identifyingproblem & purpose-reviewing literature Planning

-Choosing study design & planning approach to sample, data collection etc.

Implementing- Recruiting participants & collecting data

Analyzing- analyze data and interpret findings

Informing-disseminating results (journal articles, presentations etc.)

Identifyingthe research problem

Critical first step in research process Directs the entire research process and

decisions you will make Being clear about the problem you wish

to address will assist in focusing your study

Start with a broad area of interest/concern which is gradually refined until you have a research problem

Steps in identifyinga research problem

5. Identify the purpose for your study

4. Identify a research problem

3. Narrow your topic

1. Outline areas of interest

2. Choose a topic

Observe your environment

Be curious

Ask questions

Read about your interests

Talk to your Colleagues

Find out what others are doing

Areas of Interest Start with an area you are familiar with Begin broadly and think of things that

interest you in your practice• What do you find frustrating?

Perplexing? • What do you think works well?

What could be improved? Be creative and try to “think outside the

box” Brainstorm about general areas of interest Write down all your thoughts and ideas

Potential topics:Some examples

Quality of life after kidney transplant Body image concerns for adolescents

with CKD Role of the multidisciplinary team in

managing stages 1-3 CKD Experiences of people with early CKD Foot care interventions for people

with diabetes on dialysis Safety issues for elderly dialysis

patients

Choosing your topic

1. Significance/relevance: Is this an important problem for nurses/nursing practice? Is it timely?

2. Gaps: What is already known about the topic? Have others already examined this issue? Is more research needed?

3. Interest: Is this something you would like to explore further?

Choose one area of interestas a topic you will focus on

To help you select a topic consider:

Narrowing your topic• Refine your topic by becoming more

specific about what you are interested in• Pose some questions about your topic to

help you narrow your focus• Polit & Beck (2008) suggest some question

stems to use to assist in refining your topic– What is going on with….– What is the meaning of…– What influences or causes…– What is the process by which…. – What factors contribute to….– How effective is…..

Narrowing your topic:Choosing a researchable question

• Narrow down the questions you have posed by eliminating those that are not researchable

• According to Brink & Wood (2001) researchable questions are – Focused on fact not opinion – answers will

help to describe or explain a phenomenon– “Now” questions - deal with current,

significant issues– Relevant - Generate useable information– Action oriented - usually require you to do

something and provide direction for the rest of the research process.

Identifyingthe research problem

• To decide on your research problem consider the potentially researchable questions about your topic you identified earlier

• Select one that you would like to explore in more depth

• In choosing your focus consider– Your interests– The literature – Feasibility of studying the problem

Identifying the research problem

Significance“Researchability” Nature of the problem Ethical considerations

Feasibility Time Funding for the study Researcher expertise Availability of participants Availability of facility and equipment

(Polit & Beck 2008))

To finalize the research problem consider:

Identifying the study purpose

• Clear, concise statement of the goal, aim, focus, or objective of the study (Burns & Grove, 2005)

• Should include a description of – “what” = variables or phenomena of

interest– “who” = sample or participants – “where” = setting

Moving from the problem to a research project: Next steps

• Reviewing and critiquing the literature related to your problem– Find out what is known – Identify approaches to studying the problem– Consider theoretical approaches to studying the

problem – Further refine your problem & purpose

• Move to the planning phase of your study

Summary • Identifying a researchable problem is

the first step in the research process and ultimately guides the remaining steps.

• Research problems describe knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to understand or improve practice.

• Research problems can be derived from observations, dialogue with others, and/or the literature.

Summary (cont.)• A good research problem is relevant, current

and “researchable.”• Choose a problem that is of interest to you.• Identifying a “researchable” problem is a

creative process that requires time for reflection.

• Seeking input from others and referring to the literature will help to narrow your problem down.

• A clear and focused problem statement provides direction for the next steps of the research process - the planning phase.

Example:

Identifying a research problem

Area of interest• The number of adults over 65 on

dialysis is growing • Aging is often associated with

physical and mental changes that may put older persons’ safety at risk

• Physiological and psychosocial stressors associated with dialysis may also place people at risk for safety concerns

• Elderly people on dialysis may therefore be particularly vulnerable to safety issues.

Narrowing the topic• Consider the potential topic “Safety

issues among elderly on dialysis”• Take a minute and brainstorm

questions about this topic • What do you think needs to be known

about this topic? • Write down everything that comes to

mind - don’t rule anything out at this point

Safety issues for elderly on dialysis:

1. Is safety an important concern for elderly on dialysis?

2. What are the common safety issues for elderly on dialysis?

3. Are there different safety issues for elderly on peritoneal versus hemodialysis?

4. How common are falls in elderly dialysis patients? What factors contribute to falls?

5. Should nurses assess safety issues among elderly dialysis patients?

Example Questions

Identifying researchable problems

In reviewing the questions from the previous slide • Question # 2 “ What are the common safety

issues for elderly on dialysis?” was selected as the focus.

• Questions # 3 & 4 have potential but may require us to answer question 2 first.

• Questions # 1 and 5 were excluded because they elicit “yes/no” answers or opinion and therefore are not researchable.

What are the safety concerns among

elderly on dialysis?

Research focusing on safety of various medications and dialysis delivery methods among all age groups

No literature was found that examined safety concerns unique to older people on dialysis

Therefore, this was identified as a potential gap in the literature and a decision was made to

continue to focus on this problem

A brief review of the literature focusingon “safety” “dialysis” and “elderly” uncovered

What are the safety concerns among

elderly on dialysis? To focus your topic further pose additional questions to help you be clear on what you are interested in. For example:

– What is meant by safety concerns?– How do you define “elderly”?– Whose perspective are you interested in the patient?

Family? Nurses? Other health care professionals?– Are you interested in safety issues in the dialysis

unit? At home? – Are you interested in safety concerns for elderly on

all forms of dialysis?

Problem statement & purpose• Elderly patients on dialysis may be at

increased risk for physical injury while at home as result of the aging process and the consequences of CKD and dialysis.

• However, little is known about safety concerns for elderly individuals on dialysis who live at home

• Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore concerns that individuals over 65 on all forms of dialysis have about their safety while at home.

ReferencesBurns, N., & Grove, S. (2005).  The practice of

nursing research: Conduct, critique and utilization (5th ed.).  St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders.

Leedy, P., & Ormrod, J.E. (2005). Practical research: Planning and design (8th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Norwood, S. (2000). Research strategies for advanced practice nurses. New Jersey: Prentice Hall

ReferencesPolit, D., & Beck, C.T. (2008). Nursing

Research: Generating and asssessing evidence for practice (8th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Wood, M., & Ross-Kerr, J. (2006). Basic steps in planning nursing research: From question to proposal (6th ed.). Boston: Jones and Bartlett.