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Syllabus

Course Title:

NRSG 754: Health Care Research
Credit Hours:

3 credits graduate (masters level)
Prerequisite:

Admission to graduate program or consent of instructor.

Course Description

Methods for analyzing and conducting research and evaluating research findings for use in practice are explored.  Research that focuses on health risks of client systems, practice guidelines, therapeutic management, and on cost and outcomes will be examined. Emphasis is placed on generating research questions from theory and practice.
Course Objectives
  1. Generate research questions from theory and practice.
  2. Apply principles of ethical and legal issues involved in conducting research and utilizing research findings.
  3. Use knowledge of research methodology to analyze and/or design studies pertinent to practice.
  4. Prepare a systematic plan for applying research findings to improve practice.
  5. Examine the benefits of collaborative research for advances in health care.


Required Textbooks: Polit, D. F., & Beck, C.T. (2004). Nursing research: Principles and methods (7th ed.). Phildelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Order books at KUMED Bookstore

Methodology:

Readings, study terms and questions, unit internet assignments, threaded discussion groups, quizzes, papers, and projects.

 
Grading Criteria:

A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C  = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 59% or below

 

 

Course Requirement and Evaluation
Learning Activities
Percent of Grade
Due By
Online Discussions* (9)
15%
(150 pts)
 Date designated for completion of unit exercises
Unit Assignments** (6)
15%
(150 pts)
 Date Designated for completion of unit exercises
Quizzes (5, one per unit with the exception of Unit 6)
20%
(200 pts)
 Date Designated
Research Analysis Paper (1)
25%
(250 pts)
 November 5, 2005
Research Utilization Group Project (submitted by a group)
20%
(200 pts)
 December 10, 2005
Self Evaluation
5%
(50 pts)
 December 10, 2005

*See Discussion Schedule and Facilitators for more details

**Unit assignments are Review Nightingale's Research/NINR Assignment (Unit 1), Conceptual Model Assignment (Unit 2), Human Subjects Tutorial (Unit 3), CDC Assignment (Unit 4), AHRQ Assignment (Unit 5), and Statistics Assignment (Unit 6)

 

Course Content:

 

  1. Introduction to research and research utilization
    1. Definition and significance of nursing research
    2. Link between nursing research and nursing practice
    3. Overview of research utilization
    4. Interdisciplinary and collaborative research
    5. Historical development of nursing research
    6. Overview of nursing research methods
  2. Initial steps of the research process
    1. Purpose and problem statements
    2. Literature review
    3. Frameworks
    4. Research questions and hypotheses
  3. Research design
    1. Ethical design of research
    2. Quantitative designs
    3. Qualitative designs
    4. Multimethod research
    5. Study validity and elements of good design
    6. Sampling
  4. Measurement and data collection
    1. Measurement concepts and strategies
    2. Data Collection
  5. Data analysis
    1. Statistical theory review
    2. Types of statistics and their uses
    3. Qualitative analyses
    4. Interpretation of findings
  6. Communication of findings and utilization of research
    1. Ways to communicate research
    2. Critiquing research
    3. Theories of utilization
    4. Barriers and solutions to utilization
    5. Role in research utilization

DISABILITIES STATEMENT

Learning assistance, academic performance enhancement, and psychological services at KUMC are free, confidential, and available at Student Counseling and Educational Support Services by calling (913) 588-6580 or visiting G116 Student Center.

Any student in this course who needs accommodation because of a disability in order to complete the course requirements should contact the instructor or the Equal OpportunityDisability Specialist (913) 588-7813, TDD (913) 588-7963 as soon as possible.