This course is designed to introduce students to the scientific research process, research methodologies and the contributions of research to the improvement of nursing practice. It focuses on understanding, analyzing, and applying research findings to resolve nursing problem and improve outcomes. The course also provides nursing students with competencies necessary to read, evaluate, and interpret findings of nursing research studies. Emphasis is placed on applying research methodology and ethical consideration in development of a research proposal for evidence-based practice.
The outcome will be evidenced by the student's achievement of the following competencies: 1. Discuss the importance of nursing research and how research expands knowledge in various nursing fields. 3 2. Define the variety of roles nurses may assume in the research process. 3. Discuss the elements of ethical nursing research. 4. Appreciate the importance of accountability for the utilization of nursing research in nursing practice, education and/or management.5. Examine the concepts relevant to nursing research methods. 6. Compare and contrast the major purposes and approaches used in quantitative and qualitative research in nursing. 7. Examine the steps of the qualitative research process. 8. Examine different methodologies in research reports.9. Apply critical thinking skills in the evaluation of published nursing research 10.Appraise nursing research studies for their utility in nursing practice and evidencebased nursing.