NGR 6101
COURSE SYLLABUS
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UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
COLLEGE OF NURSING
COURSE SYLLABUS
FALL 2013
COURSE NUMBER
NGR 6101
COURSE TITLE
Theory and Research for Nursing
CREDITS
3
PLACEMENT
First Semester in Master's or BSN to DNP Program
OR
Second Semester of BSN-Accelerated Track
PRE/COREQUISITE
None
FACULTY
Ann Horgas, RN, PhD, FGSA, FAAN
ahorgas@ufl.edu HPNP 3214 (352) 273-7622
Office hours: Wednesday, 10:00am-12:00pm & by appointment
DEPARTMENT CHAIR
M. Josephine Snider, EdD, RN
snidemj@ufl.edu HPNP4221 (352) 273-6577
Office hours: By appointment only
JACKSONVILLE CAMPUS DIRECTOR
Andrea Gregg, DSN, RN
greggac@ufl.edu Jacksonville 904-244-5172
Office hours: By appointment only
COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is designed to further develop the knowledge and skills
necessary to critique theory and research from nursing and related fields. Emphasis is on
relationships among theory, research and practice.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Analyze the links among theory, research, and practice in nursing.
2. Analyze the elements of conceptual models and theoretical frameworks.
3. Critique theories in nursing and other disciplines for their applicability to nursing practice
and research.
4. Critique published research to identify appropriate use of the steps of the research process.
5. Compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative research approaches relevant to
nursing inquiry.
6. Critique research studies used to explore clinical problems in nursing.
7. Describe ethical and scientific integrity issues related to research.
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COURSE SCHEDULE
Section
Day
8595
Web
Time
Room
This course is a web-based course that requires a computer to access and use online resources
and to interact with the course content, other students, and the faculty member. Sakai is the
course management system that you will use for this course. To access Sakai, you will go to the
E-learning site at http://lss.at.ufl.edu and sign into Sakai using your Gatorlink account name and
password. There are several tutorials and student help links on the E-Learning login site. If you
have technical questions or problems, call the UF Computer Help Desk at 352-392-HELP or
send email to helpdesk@ufl.edu.
Voicethread will also be used in this course. A VoiceThread is a collaborative, multimedia slide
show that holds images, documents, and videos and allows people to navigate pages and leave
comments using voice (with a microphone or telephone), or video (via a webcam). You do not
need to provide a photo or use the video comment option; this is your choice. If you do not want
to be recorded, notify the assigned faculty member prior to the first class for alternative. The
recordings are available to the class during the semester and will not be used for another class.
The recordings are deleted at the end of the course. The link to VoiceThread is found on the
opening screen of Sakai. The initial link to access and log onto Voicethread will be sent to your
Gatorlink e-mail.
For the purposes of this class, except for week 1, the week will begin on Monday morning
at 8:30 AM and will close on Sunday evening at 11:59 PM. Week 1 will begin 8:30 AM
8/21/13 and end 8/25/12 at 11:59 PM.
It is important that you regularly check your Gatorlink account email for College and
University wide information and the course E-Learning (Sakai) site for announcements and
notifications. All feedback will be given on the web via E-Leaning (Sakai) and occasional direct
emails, including grades and comments on assignments.
ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to participate online in all teaching modules, activities, discussions and
quizzes. These are listed in the course syllabus, teaching modules and the course web-site.
Students who have extraordinary circumstances preventing participation should explain these to
the course instructor as soon as possible prior to the scheduled activity. Instructors will make
an effort to accommodate reasonable requests. A grade penalty of 1 point per day will be
assigned for late assignments, including quizzes and tests, unless prior approval is
obtained. Make-up quizzes may not be available.
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.
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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/
TOPICAL OUTLINE
1. Theories from nursing and other disciplines influencing evidenced-based practice
including general systems theory
2. Critique/evaluation of theories, models, and frameworks
3. Analysis of the relationship between theory, research, and practice
4. Selected steps of the research process:
5. Problems and purpose
6. Review of relevant literature
7. Objectives, hypotheses and questions
8. Research design
9. Qualitative research approaches
10. Quantitative research approaches
11. Ethical issues in research
12. Scientific integrity
TEACHING METHODS
Asynchronous interactive e-Learning modules using Sakai and VoiceThread.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Discussion, small group activities, quizzes, presentations and written assignments,
EVALUATION METHODS/COURSE GRADE CALCULATION
Each student is expected to (1) comprehensively read and critically analyze materials assigned
for each class topic, (2) actively participate in weekly online discussions and activities of class
topics, and (3) successfully complete all assignments. Evaluation will be based on the
achievement of these criteria. Assignments and their relative weights are as listed below. Details
of each assignment will be posted on Sakai.
ALL assignments are due on the date assigned by 11:59 PM Sunday evening. If lateness is
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unavoidable, notify the professor prior to the scheduled time. Unexcused late submission
will result in grade reduction of 1 point per day.
Feedback on assignments/papers will be returned within 2 weeks of due date.
Assignment
On-line participation and completion of class activities
Written Paper
Quizzes (3)
NIH Human Subjects Training
Group Presentation
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
% of Final Grade
20%
25%
20%
10%
25%
100%
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 at http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/regulationgrades.html
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 TEXTS
American Psychological Association (2010). Publication manual of the American
Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. (2010). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for
nursing practice (9th ed). Philadelphia: Lippincott.
Assigned articles (links posted on e-learning)
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WEEKLY CLASS SCHEDULE
Wk.
1
Date
Aug. 21 – Aug. 25
Topic
INTRODUCTIONS: COURSE OVERVIEW
FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING: RESEARCH AND EVIDENCEBASED PRACTICE
Readings:
P&B: Chapter 1: Introduction to Nursing Research in an EvidenceBased Practice Environment
2
Aug. 26 – Sept. 1
RESEARCH, THEORY, AND CLINICAL PRACTICE
Readings:
P&B: Chapter 2: Evidence-based Nursing: Translating Research
Evidence into Practice
3
Sept. 2 – Sept. 8
GETTING ORGANIZED; FINDING RESOURCES; REVIEWING
LITERATURE
Sept. 2 = Labor Day
Holiday
Readings:
P&B: Chapter 3: Key Concepts and Steps in Qualitative and
Quantitative Research
P&B: Chapter 5: Literature Reviews: Finding and Critiquing Evidence
Assignments:
QUIZ #1
4
Sept. 9 – Sept. 15
UNDERSTANDING THEORY AND CONCEPTUAL MODELS
Readings:
Horgas, A. L., Yoon, S. L., Nichols, A. L., & Marsiske, M. (2008). The
relationship between pain and functional disability in black and white
older adults. Research in Nursing and Health, 31 (4), 341-54. (linked
in Ares Course Reserve website)
P&B: Chapter 6:Theoretical Frameworks
5
Sept. 16 – Sept. 22
USING THEORY AND CONCEPTUAL MODELS
Readings:
Fawcett, Chapter 2: Implementing Conceptual-Theoretical-Empirical
Systems of Nursing Knowledge in Practice (see link on class link in
Ares Course Reserve website)
ADDITIONAL READINGS AS ASSIGNED
Assignments:
QUIZ #2
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6
Sept. 23 – Sept. 29
QUANTITIVE RESEARCH:
CONCEPTUALIZING A STUDY TO GENERATE EVIDENCE
FOR NURSING
Readings:
P&B: Chapter 4: Research Problems, Research Questions, and
Hypotheses
P&B: Chapter 8: Planning a Nursing Study
Stone, P. W. (2002). Popping the (PICO) question in research and
evidence-based practice. [doi: DOI: 10.1053/apnr.2002.34181].
Applied Nursing Research, 15(3), 197-198. (linked in Ares
Course Reserve website)
7
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6
QUANTITIVE RESEARCH PROCESS: DESIGNS
Readings:
P&B: Chapter 9: Quantitative Research Design
P&B: Chapter 10: Rigor and Validity in Quantitative Research
P &B: Chapter 11: Specific Types of Quantitative Research
Assignments:
PAPER DUE
ADDITIONAL READINGS AS ASSIGNED
8
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13
QUANTITIVE RESEARCH PROCESS: SAMPLE AND SETTING
Readings:
P&B: Chapter 12: Sampling in Quantitative Research
ADDITIONAL READINGS AS ASSIGNED
9
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20
QUANTITIVE RESEARCH PROCESS: METHODS & MEASURES
FOR ENHANCING SCIENTIFIC RIGOR
Readings:
P&B: Chapter 13: Data Collection in Quantitative Research
P&B: Chapter 14: Measurement and Data Quality
P&B: Chapter 15: Developing and Testing Self-report Scales
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10
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PROCESS:
METHODS FOR QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Readings:
P&B: Chapter 20: Qualitative Research Design and Approaches
P&B: Chapter 21: Sampling in Qualitative Research
P&B: Chapter 22: Data Collection in Qualitative Research
ADDITIONAL READINGS AS ASSIGNED.
Assignments:
QUIZ #3
11
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3
ON-LINE CLASS PRESENTATIONS
12
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10
ON-LINE CLASS PRESENTATIONS
13
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17
ON-LINE CLASS PRESENTATIONS
14
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24
RESEARCH ETHICS
http://phrp.nihtraining.com/users/login.php
PRINT CERTIFICATE AND TURN IN BY 11/24
[SUBMIT VIA SAKAI]
Readings:
P&B: Chapter 7: Ethics in Nursing Research
15
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1
ON-LINE CLASS PRESENTATIONS
Nov. 27-29 =
Thanksgiving Break
* Supplemental readings will be required ; information and links will be provided via e-learning.
Approved: Academic Affairs Committee: 5/96; 5/01, 01/05
Faculty:
8/96; 6/01, 1/05
UF Curriculum:
10/96; 5/99
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