Preliminary Research Steps Rationale for asking the question The problem essay The purpose of the research Back to Class 3

Rationale for Asking the Question Your statement of why you thought of the question What made you think of it in the first place What is your definitive statement of what you are studying Why you want the answer – your logic, your reasoning, your point of view What use will the answer be to nursing

Sources to Assist in Developing the Problem Use any source available on your topic and check it for accuracy. Check sources both in and out of the nursing field Check various professional indexes Look up synonyms and antonyms and check those out Talk to people and ask their help to think of sources – nursing is eclectic

The Psychology of Argument You must persuade another person that: Your research project is sound Your logic is correct Your problem is well thought out Your position is documented from observations and/or reading You must be prepared to answer any question to clarify or explain why you think you have a good problem to study

Examples: I want to study children’s reactions to injections. “That sound interesting. Why?” I’m on a peds unit and I think it would be good to know. I’m on a peds unit, and I’ve noticed differences in children’s reactions to injections. I have a hunch that there is a difference in boys’ and girls’ reactions after age five. Maybe it’s because of sex-stereotyping. But I don’t know if age has anything to do with it, nor if previous experience with injections makes a difference. I’m not sure when these differences occur, or even if they do. But, if they do occur, it would be interesting to see if there is a relationship between prior experience, sex, and age. If there is, we nurses could change our approach to giving children meds.

A Good Argument Begin with the general problem area Present readings or personal observation(s) Make concessions (don’t know all, but have hunch) Give the points in favor of the position – a use for the information to be gathered Speak (write) with authority –strengthened by your review of literature or documented facts

Statement of the Problem It must be written in clear, concise terms. It’s like assessing the patient. You need to know a diagnosis before treatment can be decided. You need to know the problem before you can attempt to solve it. It identifies key variables and specifies the population being studied. It serves to guide the design of the study. Because it is in writing it makes it easier to identify conceptual flaws.

Putting the Problem into Syllogistic Form A. The major premise – A condition that you or others thought to be expected, ideal, or required. Develop this statement by finding background information about your problem area from the literature. The minor premise – A condition that also exists in relationship to the major premise that somehow prevents the expected, ideal or required condition from occurring or from being as effective as possible.

Putting the Problem into Syllogistic Form cont. The conclusion – the product of the interaction of the major and minor premises which is either: 1. A conceptual problem – a puzzling or perplexing situation – an unanswered question 2. A value problem – an undesirable consequence – something you don’t want to happen 3. An action/conflict problem – a debate between which course of action to take

Putting the Problem into Syllogistic Form The problem comes from two factors which are juxtaposed (placed next to each other). It only exists because they are next to each other. You have to be able to put the two factors together and come out with one of the three results. If you can’t then you don’t have a problem. You can create a problem, but later, others will determine whether the problem really existed and whether it was worth solving.

Putting the Solution to the Problem into Syllogistic Form The major premise – this is the conclusion of the problem syllogism, i.e., the conceptual problem, the value problem or the action problem The minor premise – this is the purpose of the research, i.e., the direction that needs to be taken to solve the problem The conclusion – this is the significance of the research – the benefits that result from the research

Examples of Problem and Solution Syllogisms Major: Comfort is a term used by the majority of patients when asked what the nurse could do for them. Minor: But nurses do not know what interventions patients find to be most important for their comfort. Conclusion: Nurses do not know which of their interventions will provide patients with the most comfort.

Examples of Problem and Solution Syllogisms cont. Major: Nurses do not know which of their interventions will provide patients with the most comfort. Minor: Data needs to be gathered to obtain more information about patients’ perceptions of what they need and expect from nurses in the way of comfort. Conclusion: This information can be used to compare nurses’ ideas about comfort with those of their patients. It can be used by nurses in planning and implementing care. It can also be used for in-service in hospitals and education in schools of nursing.

Writing the Problem and the Purpose The introduction to the study should be written as any good essay is written. It should have some references to back up what you are stating. It should lead into the problem statement. The problem statement should be in one paragraph and should include the major, minor and conclusion statements written in essay-form, not labeled.

Writing the Problem and the Purpose cont. The purpose of the study is the single statement that identifies the focus of the research. The purpose should state what you intend to do to answer the research question that generated the problem. (The syllogism helped you discover this, but do not write it in that form for your paper) The purpose is a one-sentence encapsulation of what you intend to do – what and who you plan to study, plus where, when and how you plan to do the study.

Writing the Problem and the Purpose cont. The purpose can be written in three ways:  As a declarative statement – information about what the researcher intends to do, where and with whom – results in description or classification of variables  As a question – when you know what you will be observing but can’t predict the findings – results in descriptions of relationships among variables  As a hypothesis – to predict the relationship between two variables – to predict the outcome of the study and test the significance of the prediction The purpose limits the study and prevents you from being sidetracked

Criteria for Evaluating Problem Significance to nursing  Benefits of knowledge produced  Practical application  Theoretical relevance  Support or challenge an untested assumption  Alter a nursing practice or policies  Will anyone care (length of hair and length of hospital stay)

Criteria for Evaluating Problem Feasibility of the problem Time and timing – can it be accomplished in allotted time Availability of subjects Cooperation of others Facilities and equipment Money Ethical considerations Experience of the researcher

Criteria for Evaluating Problem Researchability Not a moral or ethical problem Ability to precisely define and measure variables Interest of the researcher Back to Class 3