Advanced Nursing Research

NURS 5002/6002

 3 Credit Hours

This course involves the systematic examination and application of the research process.  The concept of evidenced-based practice and its application to nursing is critically examined.

At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to:

1. Examine the current status of nursing research and its relationship to nursing theory and practice.
2. Evaluate methods of accumulating knowledge according to the philosophical traditions of quantitative and qualitative processes.
3. Compare basic research designs for their usefulness in the practice setting.
4. Access current and relevant data needed to address research problems identified in various areas of nursing practice.
5. Critique published research studies for application to advanced practice nursing.
6. Utilize information systems for the storage and retrieval of data consistent with a particular population focus.
7. Delineate ethical concerns and issues related to the conduct of nursing research.
8. Demonstrate scientific writing and presentation skills.

Admission to the RODP-MSN program or permission of Coordinator.

I.   Scientific Inquiry

A.     Interrelationships among research, theory, and practice.

B.     Philosophical bases for Quantitative and Qualitative processes.

II.   Key Concepts and Processes in Quantitative and Qualitative Research

A.     Building Blocks of a study

B.     Major steps in a Quantitative study

C.    Major steps in a Qualitative study

III.   Conceptualizing a study

A.     Research Problems, Research Questions, and Hypotheses

B.     Reviewing the Literature

C.    Methodologies

D.    Analysis of Data

E.     Communication of Research

IV.   Developing the Research Proposal

V.    Critiquing Research

A.     Locating current data and research activities

B.     The Research Critique

VI.   Utilization of Nursing Research to enhance practice

Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and SAS or SPSS data analysis systems to the extent necessary to describe their use in proposed research.  Student will need to know how to use a word processor (preferably Microsoft Word) and an Internet Browser (Microsoft Explorer) to access and complete course requirements.

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course: http://rodp.bkstr.com.

Assigned periodicals, documents, position statements, and Internet online articles.

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. 

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. 

Additional software requirements for this course include Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint), and Acrobat Reader.

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.

The student is expected to participate in weekly on line discussions of course content as topics are introduced and as applied to individual readings of current research.  The student is expected to determine an area of interest in nursing, locate both quantitative research and qualitative research related to the area of interest, critique a chosen study of each type, using a critique guide from class, and develop a proposal for further research in the area. The proposal including the review of literature is to be presented to a group of professionals of the student’s choice and evaluations by participants submitted. The final portion of the course grade will come from objective testing procedures.

A  = 93-100
B  = 85-92
C  = 77-84
D  = 70-76
F  = <70

All students are expected to actively participate in online class discussions. Each discussion question posted will be assigned a date by which the student must respond.  If a student is unable to fulfill this requirement for any reason, he/she should notify the instructor prior to the class and make alternative arrangements.  The aim is to encourage interaction among students and faculty, not simply to present information. Students are required to respond to all discussion questions. Student responses to discussion questions must be substantive, that is, thoughtful and analytical. Because the WebCT system has its own way of formatting material posted on the discussion feature, the student will not be expected to strictly follow APA guidelines for online submissions. However, the student is held to academic standards of writing style and the use of proper grammar, punctuation and spelling. 

Students are expected to:

•         Check the course calendar for the due dates of assignments.

•         Check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements.

The student is expected to:

•         Learn how to navigate in the WebCT system.

•         Participate by responding to all discussion questions.

•         Keep abreast of course announcements.

•         Use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed to a personal e-mail address.

•         Contact the instructor if unclear about assignment expectations.

•         Address technical problems immediately.

            Email:

•         Always include a subject line.

•         Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way.

•         Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.

•         Use standard fonts.

•         Do not send large attachments without permission.

•         Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.

•         Respect the privacy of other class members.

            Discussion Groups:

•         Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion.

•         Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.

•         Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group.

•         Be respectful of others’ ideas.

•         Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.

•         Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.

•         Be positive and constructive in group discussions.

•         Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

            Chat:

•         Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.

•         Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.

•         Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.

•         Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.

•         Be constructive in your comments and suggestions.

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses.

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with his/her home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

If you are having problems logging into the course, timing out of the course, using the course web site tools, or other technical problems, please visit the AskRODP Customer Support web page at http://askrodp.custhelp.com or call the AskRODP Help Desk at 1-866-550-RODP (1-866-550-7637)