Includes bibliographical references and index

pt. I. Introduction to nursing research. 1. Development of nursing research : Importance of nursing research ; Definitions of nursing research ; Sources orf nursing knowledge ; Scientific research ; Purposes of nursing research ; Funding for nursing research ; Goals for conducting nursing research ; Quantitative and qualitative research ; Outcomes research ; Educational preparation for nursing research ; Roles of nurses in research ; History of nursing research ; Research priorities for the future ; National Institute of Nursing Research ; The Cochrane Collaboration and The Cochrane Nursing Care Field ; Summary -- 2. Ethical issues in nursing research : Development of ethical codes and guidelines ; Research guidelines for nurses ; Misconduct in research ; Elements of informed consent ; Documentation of informed consent ; The nurse researcher as a patient advocate ; Critiquing the ethical aspects of a study ; Summary -- 3. An overview of quantitative research : Steps in quantitative research ; Summary -- 4. An overview of qualitative research : Comparison of qualitative and quantitative research ; Types of qualitative research ; Steps in Qualitative research ; Combining qualitative and quantitative methods ; Summary

pt. II. Preliminary steps in the research process. 5. Identifying nursing research problems : Sources of nursing research problems ; Research problem considerations ; Research question criteria ; Research question format ; Critiquing problem statements, purpose statements, and research questions ; Summary -- 6. Review of the literature : Purposes of the literature review ; Use of the library ; Primary and secondary sources ; Grey literature ; Print sources ; Electronic sources ; Obtaining information from literature sources ; Critiquing the literature review section of research articles ; Summary -- 7. Theory and nursing research : Theory terminology ; Nursing conceptual models ; Theoretical and conceptual frameworks ; Theory generation and development ; Types of theories ; Sources of theories for nursing research ; Theory testing in nursing research ; Critiquing the study framework ; Summary -- 8. Hypotheses : Purposes of hypotheses ; Sources or rationale for study hypotheses ; Classification of hypotheses ; Hypothesis criteria ; Hypothesis format ; Hypotheses and theory testing ; Critiquing hypotheses ; Summary

pt. III. Research designs. 9. Quantitative research designs : Exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory studies ; Research designs ; Experimental research ; Validity of experimental designs ; Symbolic presentation of research designs ; Types of experimental designs ; Nonexperimental research ; Types of nonexperimental designs ; Settings for research ; Critiquing quantitative research designs ; Summary -- 10. Qualitative research designs : Qualitative research designs ; Critiquing qualitative research designs ; Summary

pt. IV. Obtaining study participants and collection of data. 11. Populations and samples : Populations ; Samples ; Types of sampling methods ; Time frame for studying the sample ; Sample size ; Sampling error and sampling bias ; Randomization procedures in research ; Critiquing the sampling procedure ; Summary -- 12. Measurement and data collection : Measurement principles ; Level of measurement ; Converting data to a lower level of measurement ; Determining the appropriate level of measurement ; Data-collection process ; Data-collection methods ; Data-collection instruments ; Criteria for selection of a data-collection instrument ; Sources of error in data collection ; Preparing data for analysis ; Use of a statistical consultant ; Critiquing data-collection procedures ; Summary -- 13. Data-collection methods : Questionnaires ; Interviews ; Observation methods ; Physiological measures ; Attitude scales ; Psychological tests ; Q sort ; Delphi technique ; Visual analogue scale ; Preexisting data ; Critiquing data-collection methods ; Summary

pt. V. Data analysis. 14. Descriptive statistics : Statistical symbols ; Classifications of statistics ; Descriptive statistics ; Intraocular method of data analysis ; Critiquing descriptive statistics in research reports ; Summary -- 15. Inferential statistics : Purposes of inferential statistics ; Type I and type II errors ; Parametric and nonparametric statistical tests ; Power of a statistical test ; Statistical tests used in nursing research ; Testing the significance of correlation coefficients ; Advanced statistical tests ; Critiquing inferential statistics in research reports ; Summary -- 16. Presentation and discussion of study findings : Findings of the study ; Presentation of findings ; Discussion of findings ; Discussion of study hypotheses ; Statistical and clinical significance ; Conclusions ; Implications ; Recommendations ; Ethical issues in presenting research findings ; Critiquing the presentation of study findings ; Summary

pt. VI. Research findings and nursing practice. 17. Communication and utilization of nursing research : Communication of nursing research findings ; Utilization of nursing research findings ; Summary -- 18. Evidence-based nursing practice : History of evidence-based practice ; The Cochrane Collaboration ; Cochrane Nursing Care Field ; Agency for healthcare research and quality ; Evidence-based nursing practice ; Asking clinical questions ; Evidence-based nursing practice centers ; Sources of evidence for practice ; Considerations for the future ; Summary -- 19. Nursing research and health care economics : Health care economics and nursing ; Nursing research cost-effectiveness studies ; Need for more research studies on nursing care ; Summary -- 20. Critique of research reports : Critiquing quantitative research reports ; Critiquing qualitative research reports ; Summary -- Answers to self-tests -- Appendixes : A. Consent form ; B. Critiquing exercise

This resource provides registered nurses with an easy-to understand description of nursing research. Nursing Research on the Web sections have been added, increasing readers' interest in nursing research as they discover information available on the Internet. Concepts of evidence-based practice and outcomes research have been added. Excerpts from 58 published nursing research studies are integrated throughout. Self-tests are also included. Foundations of Nursing Research is an invaluable reference for registered nurses. - From Overview on StatRef's webpage