Research Methodology Quiz

Research Proposal Structure

• Topic 1: Research proposal main purpose is to show the problem is significant enough for investigation. Methodology is suitable and feasible, likely to make unique contribution to field.
• Nurse Researcher: Quality of proposal depends on quality of project and writing; coherent, clear, compelling writing important for avoiding rejection.
• General Guidelines in Writing: Title should concisely state study topic (no more than 15 words).
• Chapter 1: Includes introduction (background), literature review, related literature, theoretical framework, conceptual framework, statement of the problem (identifying gap), significance of the study, operational definition of terms, scope and coverage, and limitations.
• Background: Current knowledge, gap in knowledge, further knowledge's value, related historical background, and why the problem of study needs solving.
• Related Literature Review: Convincing arguments showing the dissatisfaction with current system literature, identifying important gaps or deficiencies in existing research to address. Specific exposition and synthesis of background knowledge needed for research.
• Theoretical Framework: Explanations for variables in study.
• Conceptual Framework: Researcher's model showing relationships between relevant study variables. Adaptations or modifications of existing theories are possible.
• Problem Statement: Concise description of issue needing to be addressed or condition needing improvement through research. Identifies the gap between current and desired states of process or product. Includes major problem and specific subproblems.
• Significance: Explains relevance of research outcomes to practice and theory, target population, nursing education and service, society, and implications for future researchers.
• Operational Definitions: Detailed explanations of technical terms. Crucial for consistency and replicability of findings in future studies.
• Scope and Coverage: Study's content including subject, specific phenomenon of interest, sampling and time frame.
• Limitations: Anticipated weaknesses in methodology and design, explicitly stated constraints (scope, who, what, when, where, how, and why), constraints on study's manageability.

Chapter 2 - Methods

• Research Design: Overall strategy for integrating study components coherently and logically to address research problem, providing a blueprint for collecting data.
• Locale of the Study/Setting: Physical, social, and cultural context where study is conducted.
• Respondents/Participants: People invited to participate, directly involved.
• Sampling Size/Technique: Name of the specific process for selecting sample. Technique also explains process for choosing representatives of entire population.
• Sampling Size: Number of participants or observations in study.
• Research Instruments: Measurement tools for collecting data.
• Data Gathering Procedures: Process and systematic means of measuring information on interest variables, ensuring consistency in answering research questions, testing hypotheses, and evaluating outcomes.
• Measurement/Treatment of Data: Actions taken to analyze the data.

Chapter 3, 4, 5

• Chapter 3: Presentation of findings.
• Chapter 4: Discussion on results, implications, evaluation. Interpretation of meaning of results in context of existing knowledge. Draws inferences, but grounded in facts.
• Chapter 5: Summary, conclusions, recommendations. Summarizes findings, recommends action plans or further studies.

Ethical Considerations

• Social Value: Benefits to human subjects, community, society. Clinical research improves health, improving social value.
• Informed Consent: Participants must have adequate information, understand implications, and freely consent. This includes the right of self-determination and full disclosure.
• Vulnerable Populations: Special procedures and sensitivity needed for children, the mentally/emotionally disabled, physically disabled, terminally ill, and institutionalized individuals.
• Risk/Benefit Assessment: Maximizing benefits, minimizing risks. Risks cannot outweigh benefits for study approval. Minimal risk assumed for normal daily routines and procedures.
• Justice and Fairness: Impartial treatment, equitable chances for participation, avoiding exploitation of vulnerable populations. Avoiding plagiarism or data fabrication or falsification.
• Privacy and Confidentiality: Protecting/guarding private information; anonymity, confidentiality measures to prevent unintended harms.

Other Elements

• Beneficence: Obligated to benefit others and make possible benefits evident.
• Nonmaleficence: Avoiding harm, respecting decisions to refuse participation and withdrawing.
• Freedom from Harm: Physical (e.g., stress/discomfort) and psychological harm (e.g., sensitive questions) minimized
• Freedom from Exploitation: Ensuring participants are not placed at a disadvantage or exposed to unnecessary risks.
• Respect for Dignity/Self-Determination: Ensuring freedom/choice to participate or withdraw, and full understanding of implications.

Publication and Writing

• Significance of Journal Publication: Higher quality and validity than other formats through rigorous peer review process, reliability, and validity.
• Journal Impact Factor: Measures a journal's influence. A higher impact factor may show that researcher's work is more influential.
• Journal Submission Process: Steps, e.g., writing, peer review, revisions, and final decision. Following journal guidelines.
• Research Interest Groups: People with common interests and concerns, e.g., nursing research and related fields in health professions.
• Research Interest Group Membership: Benefits and value of working with people/orgs.
• Writing: Concise, clear expression of scientific work, and the significance of sharing scientific and practical contributions.

Budget Allocations

• A line-item representation of expenses related to the research project.

• Budget Justification or Narrative: Explanation of funding needs, tying expenses to project goals and outcomes. This supports and provides a summary of information on what the funding is for, why it is relevant and how the total amount on each category of expense is reached, including the budget item justifications.

Additional Topics (possibly, depending on the remaining pages)

• Technology in Research: Using search engines, software for data analysis.
• Specific Research Competencies: Detailed skill sets required for conducting research.
• Career Option Charts: Nurse researcher career path options.

Test your knowledge on the foundational aspects of research methodology, including key terms, processes, and writing styles. This quiz covers essential components such as sampling, data gathering, and the significance of problem statements. Perfect for students and professionals in research and academia.