This book provides step-by-step instructions how to undertake and execute a research project and how to use statistics and statistical tools to analyse and interpret the findings of the project. With complete coverage of the Nursing syllabus for this subject, this book includes real-life examples tailored to the Indian context. Simple language, tables, graphs and examples help students grasp the main concepts and principles of research and statistics. The book also provides self-evaluation questions to enable students to check their understanding of the subject. Distribution and probability tables are given for easy reference. Previous years’ questions papers enhance this book’s exam-oriented approach.
Online resources such as lecture slides are available at www.universitiespress.com
Anurag Bhai Patidar is Lecturer at Bhopal Nursing College, Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (Under Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India).
Preface
Acknowledgements
SECTION A: NURSING RESEARCH
Chapter 1: Research and the Research Process
Introduction to Nursing Research
Need for Nursing Research
Definition of Research and Nursing Research
Methods of Acquiring Knowledge: Problem-solving and the Scientific Method
Characteristics of Good Research
Evolution of Nursing Research in the West—Important Dates
Evolution of Nursing Research in India—Important Dates
Concept of Evidence-based Nursing Practice
Ethics in Nursing Research
Research Process: Quantitative Research
Research Process: Qualitative Research
Chapter 2: Research Problem/Question
Definition of Terms
Introduction to Research Problems
Identification of the Research Problem
Sources of Research Problems
Characteristics of a Good Problem Statement
Evaluation of the Research Problem
Research Question
Research Objectives
Research Variables
Assumptions
Limitations and Delimitations
Hypothesis
Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis
Types of Hypotheses
Hypothesis Testing
Errors in Hypothesis Testing
Chapter 3: Review of Literature
Introduction to Review of Literature
Definition of Literature Review
Purpose of Literature Review
Sources of Literature Review
Electronic Sources
Printed Sources
Reviewing Literature
Review Format
Chapter 4: Research Approaches and Designs
Introduction to Research Approach/Design
Definitions of Research Design
Factors Influencing Selection of Design
Research Approaches
Quantitative Research
Qualitative Research
Mixed Methods Approach/Pragmatic Approach
Participatory Approach/Action Research
Research Designs
Quantitative Research Designs
Qualitative Research Designs
Other Research Designs
Chapter 5: Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Introduction to Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Characteristics of Theories
Significance of Theory
Common Concepts in Nursing Theory
Theory, Research and Practice Relationship
Classification of Theories
Conceptual Model/Framework/Schemes
Selecting the Appropriate Conceptual Framework
Criteria for Evaluating Conceptual Models/Frameworks
Systems Theory as a Framework
Criticisms of Nursing Theories
Chapter 6: Sampling Techniques
Need for a Sample
Characteristics of a Good Sample
Definition of Key Terms
Factors Influencing the Sampling Process
Process of Sampling
Types of Sampling Techniques
Probability Sampling Techniques
Non-probability Sampling Techniques
Sampling Errors
Chapter 7: Data Collection Tools and Techniques
Introduction to Data Collection
Developing the Data Collection Plan
Questionnaires
Interviews
Observations
Vignettes
Projective Techniques
Q Sorts
Bio-physiological Methods
Pilot Study
Data Collection Procedure
Chapter 8: Analysis of Data
Introduction to Data Analysis
Classification of Data
Organisation of Data
Tabulation of Data
Graphical Presentation of Data
Analysis and Interpretation of Data
Chapter 9: Communication and Utilisation of Research
Introduction to Communication of Findings
How to Communicate Research Findings?
Disseminating Research Results at Conferences
Presenting a research poster
Publishing a Journal Article
Research Utilisation
Barriers to Research Utilisation
Facilitators of Research Utilisation
Innovation Diffusion Model
Chapter 10: Critiquing Research Articles/Reports
Introduction to Critiquing Research Articles
Definition of terms
Steps in Quantitative Research Critiquing
Steps in Qualitative Research Critiquing
Chapter 11: Research Proposals
Introduction to Research Proposals
Types of Proposals
Writing a Research Proposal
Budget Plan
Action Plan
Final Proof Reading and Editing
Common Reasons for Proposal Rejection
SECTION B: STATISTICS
Chapter 12: Introduction to Statistics
Introduction
Basic Statistical Terminology
Types of Statistical Methods
Application and Scope of Statistics in Health
Vital Health Statistics
Types and Levels of Data and their Measurement
Chapter 13: Measures of Central Tendency
Introduction to Measures of Central Tendency
Mean (Arithmetic)
Median
Mode
Selecting the Appropriate Measure of Central Tendency
Position of Measures of Central Tendency
Chapter 14: Measures of Variability
Introduction to Measures of Variability
Range
Interquartile Range
Variance
Standard Deviation
Choosing the Appropriate Measure of Variability
Chapter 15: Measures of Relationship
Correlation: Meaning and Need
Scatter Diagram Method
Types of Correlation
Correlation Statistics
Simple Linear Regression
Chapter 16: Parametric and Non-parametric Tests
Introduction to Parametric and Non-parametric Tests
Parametric Tests
t-Test
z-Test
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
ANCOVA
Non-Parametric Tests
Chi-square Test
Sign Test
Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test
Mood’s Median Test
McNemar’s Test
Mann–Whitney U Test
Fisher’s Exact Test
Kruskal–Wallis Test
Chapter 17: Use of Computers for Data Analysis
Introduction to Computers
Use of Computers in Statistics
Statistical Packages for Quantitative Research
SPSS
STATA
Microsoft Office Excel
Statistical Packages for Qualitative Research
Advantages of Statistical Packages
Disadvantages of Statistical Packages
Annexures
Model Question Papers
Index