Nursing research seeks to answer questions or explore healthcare issues. Through the processes of description, exploration, explanation, and prediction of phenomena, nurse researchers work to improve patient outcomes while contributing to the discipline of nursing.
Not sure where to begin? The first step is to determine whether your project is an evidence-based practice (EBP) initiative, research study or quality improvement (QI) project. The chart below will clarify differences between types of inquiry and help lead you to the right methodology decisions and a successful project.
| Research | EBP Project | Quality Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definitions | A systematic investigation of phenomena for purposes of generalizing findings to the population | Step-by-step process used to identify best evidence and translate it into practice. Patient's preferences, values, and workplace resources must be considered | Also systematic but the focus is localized to setting. The findings, can't be generalized to the population beyond the local setting |
| Goals | To add to the current body of knowledge about a particular subject | To translate research into practice and improve patient outcomes and/or well-being of the healthcare workforce | To improve specific identified processes or outcomes within a local setting |
| Steps | Research methods (qualitative or quantitative) vary with the phenomena under investigation and are determined by investigator(s). The protocol remains unchanged throughout the research | Ask a question, search for best evidence, assess environment for appropriateness of change, engage stakeholders, develop protocol, implement change. The process can be adaptive and changes can be made | There are many method but usually follow plan, do, study, act approach. The process can change based on preliminary data. Some examples of QI methods include: PDSA, Root Cause Analysis, Lean |
| Outcome differences | Subjects may not directly benefit from knowledge gained | Implementation is based on best available research evidence and will directly benefit subjects | Improvement of processes will result in direct benefits to local setting (specific unit or department, etc.) |
| Generalizable to population of interest in other settings | If the study design is strong, the findings can be applied to other groups and settings | EBP outcomes aren't generalizable to other settings | Outcomes are not generalizable outside of organization where project is completed |
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Who is involved in the study or project |
Involves a subset of population with inclusion and exclusion criteria | Typically involves most of those participating in the process | Typically involves most of the people participating in the process |
| Use of theories | Used to organize the study design but not always | Can be used to organize the practice change | Not usually based on theoretical framework |
| Extensive search of literature for best evidence | Yes | Yes | Process improvement is based on internal data that triggers the need for the improvement |
| Funding | May be available internally, statewide or federally | Funding may be available internally | Funding may be available internally |
| Informed Consent | Written consent is necessary unless a waiver of consent is obtained from IRB. Investigator must identify how health information will be protected | IRB may need to review to review. Informed consent may be necessary or a waiver of consent may be granted from institutional review board | IRB may need to review to determine if QI or research |
| Risk to patient | Risks to patients varies. Hospital IRB must determine study acceptability |
Risks to patient minimized because practice changes are based on best research evidence, internal data, internal expertise.
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Risk can't exceed that normally present in standard of care. HIPPA covers the use of protected health information for QI purposes |
Evidence-Based Practice
If you've determined your project is an EBP study, visit the following links for more EBP information:
Quality Improvement/Process Improvement
If your project is a quality improvement study, follow the links for more QI information:
If you've identified your study as research, continue to Step 2.