UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
COLLEGE OF NURSING
COURSE SYLLABUS
SPRING 2014
COURSE NUMBER
NGR 6850
COURSE TITLE
Research Methods and Utilization for Nursing
CREDITS
3
PLACEMENT
Master’s or DNP Program
PREREQUISITE
NGR 6101
COREQUISITE
None
FACULTY
Patricia Robinson, PhD, ARNP, NE-BC
robinps@ufl.edu Web Course
Always available by e-mail or phone (352) 514-3100
DEPARTMENT CHAIR
M. Josephine Snider, EdD, RN
snidemj@ufl.edu HPNP 4221 (352) 273-6359
Office hours: By appointment only
JACKSONVILLE CAMPUS DIRECTOR
Theory and Research for Nursing
Andrea Gregg, DSN, RN
greggac@ufl.edu Jacksonville (904) 244-5172
Office hours: By appointment only
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills to
critique theory and research from nursing and related fields as a basis for the provision of
evidence-based practice. Emphasis is on understanding research methodology in order to
critique research studies. The focus is on utilization and synthesis of research findings to address
specific nursing practice questions or problems.
COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Analyze elements of scientific rigor in research.
2. Synthesize major findings in the literature related to specific nursing questions or problems.
3. Critically evaluate research reports in terms of design, sampling, instrumentation, data
collection and analysis, and interpretation of findings.
4. Analyze research findings for their applicability to evidence-based practice and advancement
of nursing science.
5. Develop a research utilization paper regarding a specific nursing practice question or problem
using published research findings as evidence for the solution proposed.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Section
Day
0574
Web
0600
Web
Time
Room
E-Learning in Sakai is the course management system that you will use for this course. ELearning in Sakai is accessed by using your Gatorlink account name and password at
http://lss.at.ufl.edu. There are several tutorials and student help links on the E-Learning login
site. If you have technical questions call the UF Computer Help Desk at 352-392-HELP or send
email to helpdesk@ufl.edu.
For the purposes of this class, the week will begin on Monday morning at 8:30 AM and will
close on Sunday evening at 11:59 PM. Messages inside the course are NOT checked daily.
The course mail is used for routine course-related activity. For urgent needs, please text
my cell phone OR use Gatorlink e-mail address.
It is important that you regularly check your Gatorlink account email for College and University
wide information and the course E-Learning site for announcements and notifications.
Course websites are generally made available on the Friday before the first day of classes.
ATTENDANCE
Students may be expected to attend on-campus or synchronous classes periodically. Students are
expected to participate in the activities and discussions as listed in the course syllabus and on the
course web-site. Timeframes for the posting and receiving of materials are listed in the course
materials on the course web-site. Make-up exams may not be available in all courses.
A grade penalty of one point per day will be assigned for late assignments. These
assignments include weekly module assignments, quizzes, presentations and papers.
ACCOMMODATIONS DUE TO DISABILITY
Each semester, students are responsible for requesting a memorandum from the Disability
Resource Center (http://www.dso.ufl.edu/index.php/drc/) to notify faculty of their requested
individual accommodations. This should be done at the start of the semester.
COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Students may occasionally have personal issues that arise on the course of pursuing higher
education or that may interfere with their academic performance. If you find yourself facing
problems affecting your coursework, you are encouraged to talk with an instructor and to seek
confidential assistance at the University of Florida Counseling and Wellness Center, 352-3921575, visit their web site for more information: http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are to refer to the College of Nursing Student Handbook for information about College
of Nursing policies, honor code, and professional behavior.
http://nursing.ufl.edu/students/student-policies-and-handbooks/
ACADEMIC HONESTY
The University of Florida Student Conduct and Honor Code may be found at
http://www.dso.ufl.edu/index.php/sccr/process/student-conduct-honor-code/
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TOPICAL OUTLINE
1. Evidence-based practice
A. Utilization models (i.e. Stetler, Iowa)
B. Clinical relevance
C. Steps of evidence-based practice
i. Ask the clinical question in PICO format
a. Patient population
b. Intervention or interest
c. Comparison intervention or group
d. Outcome
D. Collect the best evidence (e.g., Cochrane Reviews)
E. Critically appraise the evidence
F. Integrate evidence and expertise
G. Evaluate the outcome
2. Elements of scientific rigor
3. Probability and non-probability sampling
4. Instrumentation
5. Data collection and analyses
A. Descriptive and inferential statistics
B. Parametric and nonparametric statistics
6. Critique of published research reports
A. Statistical significance
B. Clinical significance
TEACHING METHODS
Asynchronous interactive e-Learning modules using Sakai.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Presentations, individual research utilization paper (required learning activity).
EVALUATION METHODS/COURSE GRADE CALCULATION
10% Clinical problem and research utilization paper
30% Research utilization paper
30% Quiz 1 and 2
15% Presentation
15% Assigned weekly postings
Assignments/papers will be returned within approximately 2 weeks.
MAKE UP POLICY
A grade penalty will be assigned for late assignments, including tests. Make-up quizzes will not
be available.
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GRADING SCALE/QUALITY POINTS
A
95-100 (4.0)
C
A93-94 (3.67)
CB+
91- 92 (3.33)
D+
B
84-90 (3.0)
D
B82-83 (2.67)
DC+
80-81 (2.33)
E
* 74 is the minimal passing grade
74-79* (2.0)
72-73 (1.67)
70-71 (1.33)
64-69 (1.0)
62-63 (0.67)
61 or below (0.0)
For more information on grades and grading policies, please refer to University’s grading
policies: http://gradcatalog.ufl.edu/content.php?catoid=4&navoid=907#grades
FACULTY EVALUATION
Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course based on
ten criteria. These evaluations are conducted online at https://evaluations.ufl.edu. Evaluations
are typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given
specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to
students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Pyrczak, F. (2009) Making sense of statistics: A conceptual overview. (5th ed.). Los Angeles:
Pyrczak Publishing.
Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2012). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for
nursing practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS
Melnyk, B. M. & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-based practice in nursing and health
care: A guide to best practice (2nd Ed). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.
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WEEKLY CLASS SCHEDULE
Week
Week 1:
Module 1: Introduction and evidence based practice
1/6/14 – 1/12/14
Week 2:
Module 2: Preparation
1/13/14 – 1/19/14
Defining a problem, research utilization and clinical guidelines
Week 3:
Module 3: Scientific Rigor and Validation
1/20/14 – 1/26/14
Sampling
Martin Luther King Holiday 1/20/14
Week 4:
Module 3: Instrumentation and measurement
1/27/14 – 2/2/14
Clinical problem and research utilization strategy paper due
Week 5:
Module 3: Threats to validity
2/3/14 – 2/9/14
Week 6:
Module 4: Comparative evaluation
2/10/14 – 2/16/14
Literature Synthesis and Evidence
Quiz 1
Week 7:
Module 4: Comparative evaluation
2/17/14 – 2/23/14
Presentations of Critique of Evidence Based Guidelines
Week 8:
Module 4: Comparative evaluation
2/24/14 – 3/2/14
Presentations of Critique of Evidence Based Guidelines
Week 9:
SPRING BREAK
3/3/14 – 3/9/14
Week 10:
Module 4: Comparative Evaluation
3/10/14 – 3/16/14
Presentations of Critique of Evidence Based Guidelines
Week 11:
Module 4: Comparative Evaluation
3/17/14 – 3/23/14
Presentations of Critique of Evidence Based Guidelines
Week 12:
Statistics: Description and relationships
3/24/14 – 3/30/14
Research utilization paper due
Week 13:
Statistics: Group differences
3/30/14 – 4/6/14
Week 14:
Statistics: Multivariate
4/7/14 – 4/13/14
Quiz 2
Week 15
Research utilization and quality of care
4/14/14 – 4/23/14
Approved:
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Academic Affairs Committee:
Faculty:
UF Curriculum:
11/04, 01/05, 04/13
11/04, 01/05, 04/13
03/05