Chapter 028

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1 Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. Chapter 28 Writing Research Proposals

Transcript of Chapter 028

1Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

Chapter 28

Writing Research Proposals

2Copyright © 2013, 2009, 2005, 2001, 1997 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

Research Proposal

Written plan identifying Research problem Research purpose Methods

Written for Institutional review board approval process Funding request Sometimes to request intramural approval to

conduct study Formally written, concise

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Writing a Research Proposal

Involves Developing ideas logically Determining the depth or detail of the proposal’s

content Identifying critical points in the proposal Developing an aesthetically appealing copy

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Developing Ideas Logically

An organized argument establishing background, a plan, and the expected outcome

All steps well justified Online guides for proposal development

available

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Determining the Depth of a Proposal

Dictated by the group/institution to which the proposal will be submitted

Hospitals usually post requirements online Universities provide lists of requirements

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Identifying Critical Points

Highlight in bold and italics Headings, tables, or graphs Detail

Background/significance of research problem Purpose Methodology/research design Research production plans

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An Aesthetically Appealing Proposal

Formatted according to specifications; APA if not otherwise specified

Submit online, in person, or by mail, as specified

Neat Without spelling, punctuation, or grammar

errors Ask a peer to read and critique

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Content of a Research Proposal

Varies according to the purpose of the proposal: Student proposal: for university permission to

conduct research For institutional review board permission to

conduct research A competitive request for funding

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Content of a Student Proposal

Purpose: to communicate planned projects to Faculty and members of university or agency IRBs

Written to satisfy requirements for a degree Format and contents usually specified by

faculty

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Format of a Student Proposal (Cont’d)

More detailed than a funding proposal Often consists of the first few chapters of the

student’s thesis/dissertation Title should accurately reflect the planned

study’s design and methods

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Content of a Quantitative Research Proposal

Table of contents—usually rather detailed Three or four chapters:

Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Literature review Chapter 3: Framework (sometimes combined with

chapter 2) Chapter 3 or 4: Methods and procedures

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Introduction

Research problem—includes background information

Purpose statement, based on the research problem And the need for the study (justification)

Usually includes Conceptual definitions and operational definitions

of variables Assumptions

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Review of Relevant Literature

Overview of essential information Theoretical (conceptual literature) Empirical (actual related research)

Master’s thesis: usually a limited literature review

Doctoral dissertation: an exhaustive literature review

Reiteration of how proposed study will fill research gap

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Literature Review

First purpose is to let the reader know What has Already been done What methodologies have been used before What is known or suspected What has been disproven

Second purpose is to build a logical trail of evidence

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Literature Review (Cont’d)

Narrative or pinch table Sometimes critiques individual studies Sometimes synthesizes previous studies as a

group

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Framework

Theoretical explanation of how study concepts are connected

Conceptual definitions included here, if not in introduction

Must be coherent with the study variables and study measurements

Map or design optional Middle-range (practice) theories often used For doctoral dissertation, Alternative theories

considered may also be required

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Methods and Procedures

Description of the design/general strategy for conducting the study

Sometimes a map or diagram of the design Operationalizations of variables (if not in

introduction) Pilot study information (if any)

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Methods and Procedures (Quasi-Experimental and Experimental Studies)

Describing how research situation will be structured

Detailing treatment to be implemented Explaining how effect of treatment will be

measured Specifying variables to be controlled and

methods for controlling them

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Methods and Procedures (Quasi-Experimental and Experimental Studies)

(Cont’d) Identifying uncontrolled extraneous variables

and determining their probable impact on the findings

Subject assignment plan Exploring strengths and weaknesses of

design

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Methods and Procedures

Identification of target population and accessible population Inclusion and exclusion criteria Rationale for these sample criteria Expected sample size/sampling method Justification for sample size (power analysis, if

performed)

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Methods and Procedures (Cont’d)

Identification of study setting Agency name Description of the setting Advantages and disadvantages Letter of support from site

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Methods and Procedures (Cont’d)

Ethical considerations Protection of human subjects Risks and benefits The consent form (in appendix) Protection of clients served by the agency Protection of the agency (if applicable) Signed authorization form (per HIPAA) Security of data after obtained

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Methods and Procedures (Cont’d)

Data collection plan What data are to be collected Process for collecting data Who will collect data (consistency, if more than

one person collecting) How the data will be collected Data collection schedule Special equipment Data security/methods of data storage

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Methods and Procedures (Cont’d)

Data analysis Techniques used to summarize data and answer

research questions Organized by study questions Statistical tests and levels of significance Very limited projection of results and conclusions

• Study limitations

• How the findings will be shared, applied

Budget and timetable

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Content of a Qualitative Research Proposal

Structure is university-dependent Usually includes

Introduction Research philosophy and general method Applied method of inquiry Current knowledge, limitations, and plans for

communication of study findings

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Qualitative Introduction

Research problem—includes background information

Problem statement, based on research problem And need for the study

Usually conceptual definitions here Usually assumptions here Evolution of study and significance to nursing

practice, patients, health care system, and/or health policy

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Philosophical and Conceptual Foundation and General Methods Rationale for use of this method The philosophy, its essential elements, and its

assumptions Provision of a theoretical perspective for

study that influences focus of study, data collection and analysis, and articulation of findings

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Method of Inquiry

Tentative plan for study Site and access Sample Sampling plan Approximate sample size and how final size will be

determined

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Method of Inquiry (Cont’d)

Ethical concerns Protection of human subjects Risk minimization Consent Protection of data

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Method of Inquiry (Cont’d)

Data collection How and by whom data will be collected What will constitute “data” Where data will be collected What interview questions (if any) will be used If multiple persons collecting data, how they will be

trained Data storage

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Method of Inquiry (Cont’d)

Data analysis plan If simultaneous collection and analysis, state this Identify any software program to be used

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Current Knowledge Base, Limitations, and Plans for Communication of Study

Summarizes and documents all literature reviewed for the study

Might be the second chapter, and might follow data analysis (method-specific)

Establishes significance of study, parallel research

Anticipated limitations of the proposed study Communication plans, budget, timetable

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Content of a Condensed Proposal

For clinical agencies, funding institutions Same pieces but shorter in length Review of the literature much more brief Theoretical framework much more brief, or

even absent Usually documentation of researcher’s

background and ability to perform study Substantiation of support from hospitals,

clinics, universities, and so forth

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Content of a Preproposal

Short document that explores the funding possibilities

Like a query letter with more detail Letter of transmittal Short proposal for research Personnel Facilities Budget

Sent to Many funding sources

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Seeking Approval for a Study

Institutional review Justification for conduct of the study Ethical considerations Impact of the study on the reviewing institution

Most committees require verification of clinical access (nurse manager, medical director, or both)

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Approval Process

All studies require permission from somebody To determine process, access web sources

First Obtaining approval from both a university and

a hospital might take up to eight weeks

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Co-Authorship

Established before submission of the proposal anywhere

First author should be the person who does the most amount of work, in the study

Students should ask faculty whether they expect co-authorship

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Approval Process (Cont’d)

Nurses conducting research in an agency where they are employed must seek approval only at that agency

Graduate students Thesis/dissertation committee University IRB Agency IRB

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Preparing Proposals for Review Committees

University: use online resources, or thesis or dissertation chair, for information

Clinical agency: use online resources, and clarify with personnel in institutional review office

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Preparing Proposals for Review Committees (Cont’d)

Clinical institutional review considerations: Scientific merit Protection of human rights Congruence of the study with the agency's

research agenda Impact of the study on patient care

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Social and Political Factors (University)

When choosing a committee, match participants for their knowledge base and potential contribution to the final product

Known ability to work well with one another is extremely desirable

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Social and Political Factors (Clinical Site) (Cont’d)

For clinical research, elicit cooperation of staff Talk up the planned research and its possible

clinical applications If possible, ask staff nurses for input/wisdom Talk up positive effect of research on magnet

status, if that is a consideration

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Verbal Presentation of a Proposal

Thesis or dissertation proposal—part of the academic process

Most clinical agencies require researchers to meet with IRB to discuss proposals

Neat business attire Rehearse: practice, practice, practice

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Verbal Presentation of a Proposal (Cont’d)

Usually, committee will ask questions such as Tell us about your study. Why is your study necessary/valuable? What other literature is out there? What are the study limitations? Why did you choose this method?

Say thank you

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Revising a Proposal

Before the study Do what is needed to gain access Argue only about things that potentially affect the

study results Adhere to all negotiated agreements

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Revising a Proposal (Cont’d)

After the study begins Rarely necessary Must Really fix a problem or enhance the study Students Must discuss these with advisors