Theoretical and Research Bases of Nursing – 604B
Spring 2014
Schedule Number 22264
COURSE INFORMATION
Class Days: Thursday
Class Times: 4-6:40pm
Class Location: HT 138
Professor: Dr. Beverly Carlson, PhD, RN, CNS, CCRN
Contact Information: bcarlson@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours Days: by appointment
Office Hours Times (and by appointment): by appointment
Office Hours Location: HT 61
Course Overview
Catalog Description: Integration of theory and research in nursing. Focus on research ethics, measurement, publishing, and
grant writing in professional nursing practice.
The purpose of this course is to provide the graduate nursing student with knowledge of the theoretical and research bases of
nursing necessary to facilitate the conduct of clinical research and evidence-based nursing practice. This is the second of two
courses with this overall purpose, the first of which is NURS604A.
Course Outcomes: Upon completion of N604B, the student will be able to:
1. Analyze the role of theory and research in the development of nursing science.
2. Utilize a nursing conceptual framework to explain clinical phenomena
3. Demonstrate an ability to compare and contrast theories for their theoretical consistency.
4. Analyze nursing conceptual frameworks as to their implications for research, education, and practice.
5. Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative research designs.
6. Critique nursing research.
7. Identify appropriate statistical procedures for selected levels of data analysis.
8. Recognize the ethical implications of research.
9. Analyze professional nursing practice within a nursing science framework.
10. Develop parts of a quantitative research proposal.
Enrollment Information
Prerequisites: NURS604A
Course Materials
Required Texts:
 Polit, D. F. & Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice (9th ed.).
Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
 American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.).
Washington DC: Author.

SDSU Research Affairs Website: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~gra/grad/research/researchmain.html
Course Structure and Conduct
The objectives of this course will be achieved through reading and preparing class assignments and participating in class
activities. The course is taught as a seminar using both lecture and discussion formats and with student participation and
contribution to seminar discussion an essential expectation. The SDSU Blackboard system is used for course materials, course
communication, and grade postings
Classroom Behavior: An implicit assumption of the seminar nature of this graduate level course is that all students demonstrate
respect, consideration, and strict confidentiality of all viewpoints and situation- specific discussions. Any breach of this
expected conduct may, at the instructor’s discretion, result in a lowering of the course grade or dismissal from the class.
Texting or other use of cell phones or use of any electronic devise for non-classroom activities are disruptive to class
participants and are not allowed when class is in session.
Group Projects will be used to provide experience in collaboration, teamwork, and group process to achieve a common goal.
Each student will submit a report of the individual contribution of other team members using the form provided in Appendix A
of the syllabus posted on Blackboard. Course grades for individual students will be modified as appropriate based on the
contents of these reports.
Course Assessment and Grading
Final course grades will be determined by achievement in the following:
Exam
Research Report (Group Project)
Research Critique Presentation (Group Project)
Qualitative Design Presentation (Group Project)
Research Project Presentation (Group & Individual)
33.3%
22.7%
22%
22%
required for course completion
Class Participation/Contribution: Students are required to read current research and relevant professional literature from both
written and website resources pertaining to each weekly topic and to bring all required articles to class. The reading assignment
for each seminar is included in the Class Topic Schedule, though additional assignments may be posted on the Blackboard
website. Students will be expected to critique all required readings in class and to discuss the appropriate and effective
utilization of pertinent research and national guidelines in clinical practice. On-time class attendance and student
participation is mandatory for successful course completion. Students who are unable to attend class must notify faculty prior
to class and may be required to complete a make-up assignment. Student grades will be reduced by up to 10% for a consistent
pattern of not contributing to class discussion or an inability to critique and discuss relevant professional literature. Come
prepared and offer a professional and relevant contribution.
Examinations: Examinations may be in-class closed book tests and/or take home exams and may consist of both objective
(multiple choice, short answer, matching) and essay type test questions. Any student unable to take an exam due to
illness/injury or extraordinary circumstances must notify the instructor prior to the exam to be considered for a full-credit
make-up exam. Such approval will be at the discretion of the instructor and validation of illness/injury/circumstances may be
required. Any student who misses an exam without prior authorization will receive zero points for the exam. Any student who
arrives for an exam more than 15 minutes late will not be admitted.
Research Project: For N604B, each group will complete the final components of the Research Project conducted in N604A,
analysis of the data and preparation of a Research Report, describing the project conducted and the results. Further
information will be provided in class and on the Blackboard (BB) website. Dr. Carlson will provide close supervision of all steps
and aspects of this activity.
Research Report (Group Project) – Due 3/6/14 by 3pm: Each group will write an abbreviated research report describing their
project and results. This report will include components of the research proposal developed in N604A, but rewritten in past
tense because the project has been completed. The report will also include a description of the statistical analysis conducted,
results, limitations, conclusions, and discussion. The paper is to be formatted in accordance with the APA Publication Manual,
6th edition (no abstract required) and should be a maximum of 7-9 pages in length. Correct spelling, punctuation,
sentence/paragraph construction are expected. Grading criteria for this assignment are provided in Appendix B of the syllabus
posted on Blackboard.
Research Critique Presentation (Group Project) – Slides due 3/12 or 3/19 by 3pm - presentation to be given on 3/13 or 3/20:
Each group will select a quantitative research article from a major medical/nursing journal and prepare a critique of the report.
Article selection is to be negotiated with and approved by the instructor. The required information is to be provided in a 10-15
minute PowerPoint presentation attended by all students. All students will be expected to have read the articles to be
critiqued and to be prepared to discuss the critique. Professional presentation skills are expected. Grading criteria for this
assignment are provided in Appendix C of the syllabus posted on Blackboard.
Qualitative Methods Presentation (Group Project) – Slides due 4/23 or 4/30 by 3pm - presentation to be given on 4/24 or
5/1: Each group will select a qualitative research topic from the list provided and provide a PowerPoint presentation attended
by all students. Grading criteria for this assignment are provided in Appendix D of the syllabus posted on Blackboard.
Final: Research Project Presentation (Group Project) – Due 5/8/13 by 3pm: Slides due 5/14 by 3pm – comments to be posted
by 5/15 7pm: In lieu of a final exam, each group will prepare and post a slide presentation or abstract of their completed
research projects. Each student is to post a thoughtful & professional comment for each group’s presentation, offering insight
relevant to the methodology, results, conclusions, &/or implications (student grades will be reduced by up to 10% for failure to
complete this step of the assignment).
Final course grades are based on the following School of Nursing standardized graduate level grading scale:
93-100%
90-92%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
Less than 67%
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
Please refer to the 2013-2014 SDSU Graduate Bulletin regarding graduate division policies regarding passing grades and GPA.
Other Course Policies
Academic Dishonesty:
Students enrolled in this class are expected to adhere scrupulously to the SDSU Standards for Student Conduct. Any evidence
of academic dishonesty or breach of these standards will result in immediate course failure. Please refer to the 2012-2013
SDSU Graduate Bulletin for further clarification. Behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to,
the following:
(1) Cheating that is intended to gain unfair academic advantage.
(2) Plagiarism that is intended to gain unfair academic advantage.
(3) Other forms of academic dishonesty that are intended to gain unfair academic advantage.
(4) Dishonesty, including: Furnishing false information to a University official, faculty member, or campus office.
(5) Dishonesty, including: Forgery, alteration, or misuse of a University document, key, or identification instrument.
(6) Dishonesty, including: Misrepresenting oneself to be an authorized agent of the University or one of its auxiliaries.
Executive Order 969, issued by the Office of the Chancellor and effective January 30, 2006, specifies how cases of academic
dishonesty (cheating or plagiarism) are to be handled by the campuses:
“Academic dishonesty cases that occur in the classroom shall be handled by faculty members. However, after action
has been taken by the faculty member, the faculty member shall complete a form that identifies the student who was
found responsible, the general nature of the offense, the action taken, and a recommendation as to whether or not
additional action should be considered by the campus judicial affairs office.”
Information Regarding Off-Campus Course Work:
This course requires students to participate in field trips, research, or studies that include course work that will be performed
off-campus. Participation in such activities may result in accidents or personal injury. Students participating in the event are
aware of these risks, and agree to hold harmless San Diego State University, the State of California, the Trustees of the
California State University and Colleges and its officers, employees and agents against all claims, demands, suits, judgments,
expenses and costs of any kind on account of their participation in the activities.
Students using their own vehicles to transport other students to such activities should have current automobile insurance.
Disability Accommodations:
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact
Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact
Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations
cannot be provided based upon disability until an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services is received by the
course instructor. This can best be accomplished by making an appointment to meet privately with the faculty member early in
the semester, or as soon as possible in the event that a disability is diagnosed during the course of the semester.