Nursing Research and Biostatistics (Theory)
Course No.:
BSN 29
Placement:
Fourth Year
Total Hours:
100 Hours
Total Marks:
100 Marks
Course Description
This course provides knowledge regarding the basic concepts of research and bio-statistics for carrying out research studies.
Course Objectives
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
- State the meaning and purpose of research.
- Define the basic terms used in research
- Describe the historical development of research in nursing
- Explain the significance of research in nursing
- State the ethical aspects to be considered in nursing research
- Explain the different types of research used in nursing
- State the steps of research process
- Describe the sources and characteristics of research problem
- State the purpose and process of organization of literature review
- Describe the experimental and non-experimental research designs
- Explain the types of sampling including their strengths and limitations
- Describe the methods of data collection and different types of instruments used in collecting data in nursing research
- Describe the techniques of establishing validity and reliability of the research instrument
- Analyze and interpret the given data using univariate and bivariate techniques
- Explain the components of a research proposal
- State the purpose and types of research report
- Demonstrate understanding of the American Psychological Association (APA) guideline in writing a research report
- Critically analyze the strength and limitations of the research report
Syllabus Table of Contents
Quickly navigate to any unit in the Nursing Research and Biostatistics Syllabus using the links below.
Course Content Details
Unit 1: Introduction8 hrs
- Meaning and purpose of research
- Basic terminologies used in research: Facts, concepts, theory, conceptual framework, variables, operational definition, assumptions, limitations, research validity
- Historical development of research in nursing
- Significance of research in nursing: Accountability, professionalism, social relevance, nursing education, nursing administration,
- Ethical considerations in nursing research:
- Implications of unethical research
- Ethical considerations: Anonymity, confidentiality, privacy, informed consent, administrative approval and risk-benefit balancing
- Computer application and its role in research
Unit 2: Types of Research4 hrs
- In terms of the purpose of research: Basic, applied and action research
- In terms of the time factor: Historical, descriptive and experimental
- In terms of the nature of data: Qualitative and quantitative
Unit 3: Biostatistics in Research25 hrs
- Purpose and limitations of statistical analysis
- Basic terms used in statistics
- Levels of Measurement: Nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio scales
- Statistical analysis:
- Use of computer in data analysis
- Descriptive statistics: Use of tables and graphs; frequency distribution: presentation of data in tabular and graphic form;
- Measures of central tendency; Measures of skewness and measures of dispersion (variability) including range and standard deviation, correlation analysis, and two-by-two contingency table analysis
- Statistical interpretation and hypothesis testing
Unit 4: Research Process40 hrs
- Meaning and steps of research process
- Research problem
- Meaning, sources and characteristics
- Formulation of research problem
- Hypothesis:
- Meaning, sources, characteristics, significance and types of hypothesis
- Formulation of hypothesis
- Literature review:
- Definition, purpose, scope (types of information and depth and breadth of coverage)
- Primary and secondary sources
- Process of literature review
- Organization of the reviewed literature (content and style)
- Citation and bibliographic entries of the reviewed literature using APA style
- Research design:
- Meaning and purpose of research design
- Factors influencing selection of research design and elements of good design.
- Types of research design:
- a) Non-experimental (historical, case study, descriptive, comparative, correlation, cross-sectional and longitudinal) and
- b) Experimental (true-experimental, quasi-experimental and pre-experimental designs) and to research studies
- Threats to research designs and measures of controlling variable
- Sampling:
- Meaning, purpose and process of sampling
- Sampling techniques including their merits and demerits:
- a) Probability sampling techniques
- b) Non-probability sampling techniques (convenient, purposive, quota and snow-ball sampling),
- Sample size estimation and factors affecting sample size
- Data collection methods and instruments:
- Direct observational method and instruments: checklist, rating scale including their merits and demerits
- Indirect method: Interview method including structured, semi-structured and in-depth interview, questionnaire method, document review guide and measuring devices including their merits and demerits
- Instrumentation: Process, types of questions, bias,
- Establishment of validity and reliability of the instrument
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Data processing: Editing, coding and classification of data, problems in data processing,
- Data analysis: Types of analysis: univariate and bivariate analysis and correlation analysis
- Data interpretation: Meaning and techniques,
- Discussion, conclusion and recommendations
Unit 5: Research Proposal8 hrs
- Meaning and purpose of research proposal
- Principles of research proposal
- Components of research proposal:
- Background
- Research problem
- Rationale (direct and indirect beneficiaries)
- Objectives and hypotheses
- Operational definitions of terms and variables
- Review of related literature
- Research methodology: Design, study setting, target population, sampling technique and size, instrumentation, plan for data collection (including ethical considerations) and data analysis
- References
- Work plan
- Budget
Unit 6: Research Report6 hrs
- Purpose and types of research reports:
- Steps in writing research report (APA style)
- Contents of research report
- Introduction
- Methods section
- Result section
- Discussion section
- Other contents of the report
Unit 7: Critique of Research Report8 hrs
- Meaning and purpose
- Criteria for critiquing research report
- Critical analysis of research reports
Teaching and Evaluation
- Teaching/ Learning Activities: Self directed activities, interactive lecture, group discussion, individual assignment, group work, presentation.
- Internal Assessment Methods: Critique presentation and written examination.
- Final examination: Written.
References
- Adhikari, G. P. (2003). Social Research for Thesis Writing. Kathmandu: Investigation, Nepal.
- Basavanthappa, B. T. (2003). Nursing Research. Bangalore: Jaypee Brothers.
- Brockopp, D. Y. & Hastings- Tolsma, M. T. (2003). Fundamentals of Nursing Research. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers
- Burns, N. and Groove, S. K. (1999). The Practice of Nursing Research: Conduct, Critique & Utilization. Philadelphia: Saunders.
- Indrani, T. K. (2005). Research Methodology for Nurses. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers.
- Best, J. W. and Kahn, J. V. (1995). Research in Education. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India.
- Campbell, M. J. & Machin, D. (1993). Medical Statistics: A commonsense Approach. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
- Kothari, C. R. (2002). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Delhi: New Age International.
- Polit, D. F. & Hungler, B. P. (2001). Nursing Research: Principles and Methods. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott.
- Young, A., Taylor, S. G. and McLaughdin-Renpenning, K. (2001). Connections: Nursing Research Theory and Practice. St. Louis: Mosby.