Advanced Nursing Research
NURS 5002/6002
3 Credit Hours
Course Description
This course involves the systematic examination and application of the research process. The concept of
evidenced-based practice and its application to nursing is critically examined.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Examine the current status of nursing research and its relationship to nursing theory and practice.
2. Evaluate methods of accumulating knowledge according to the philosophical traditions of
quantitative and qualitative processes.
3. Compare basic research designs for their usefulness in the practice setting.
4. Access current and relevant data needed to address research problems identified in various
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areas of nursing practice.
Critique published research studies for application to advanced practice nursing.
Utilize information systems for the storage and retrieval of data consistent with a particular
population focus.
Delineate ethical concerns and issues related to the conduct of nursing research.
Demonstrate scientific writing and presentation skills.
Prerequisites and Co-requisites
Admission to the RODP-MSN program or permission of Coordinator.
Course Topics
I. Scientific Inquiry
A. Interrelationships among research, theory, and practice.
B. Philosophical bases for Quantitative and Qualitative processes.
II. The Research Process
A. Building Blocks of a Study
B. Ethics in Research
III. Measurement and Data Management
A. Research Sampling, Measurement Concepts, Measurement Methods
B. Collecting and Managing Data
IV. Statistical Analyses
A. Concepts of Statistical Theory
B. Using Statistics to Describe, Predict and Examine Causality
V. Process Conclusion and Specific Types of Research
A. Outcomes and Intervention Research
B. Qualitative Research
C. Interpretating and Disseminating Rsearch Findings
VI. Putting Together Concepts for Preparing the Research Proposal and Seeking Funding
Specific Course Requirements:
Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and SAS or SPSS data analysis systems to the extent necessary to
describe their use in proposed research. Student will need to know how to use a word processor
Microsoft Word) and an Internet Browser (Microsoft Explorer) to access and complete course
requirements.
Required Textbooks
Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course: http://rodp.bkstr.com
Supplemental Texts:
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association (6th ed.) Washington, DC: APA
Supplementary Materials
Assigned periodicals, documents, position statements, and Internet online articles.
Hardware Requirements
The minimum requirements can be found at
http://www.tn.regentsdegrees.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Software Requirements
The minimum requirements can be found at
http://www.tn.regentsdegrees.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Additional software requirements for this course include Microsoft Office (Word [2003.doc preferred],
PowerPoint), and Acrobat Reader. Docx and PPTx may delay grading of assignments.
Instructor Information
Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a
statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.
Evaluation Methods
The student is expected to participate in weekly on line discussions of course content as topics are
introduced and as applied to individual readings of current research. The student is expected to
determine an area of interest in nursing, locate both quantitative research and qualitative research related
to the area of interest, critique a chosen study of each type, using a critique guide from class, and
develop a proposal for further research in the area. The proposal including the review of literature is to be
presented to a group of professionals of the student’s choice and evaluations by participants submitted.
The final portion of the course grade will come from objective testing procedures.
Participation in online class discussions (X6 at
2.5 each - see Grading Criteria)
15%
Critique of Quantitative Research Study (X1)
15%
Critique of Qualitative Research Study (X1)
Evidence Based Practice Project
Presentation (PPT & Report - X1 see specific
grading criteria)
Quizzes (1% each X6)
Movie Book Review (X1)
How Research Has Made A Difference (X1)
TOTAL
15%
30%
13%
6%
3%
3%
100%
Grading Scale
Letter Grade Points Obtained
A
93-100
B
85-92
C
77-84
D
70-76
F
Below 70
Class Participation
All students are expected to actively participate in online class discussions. As discussion items are
posted, students are expected to participate in the ongoing interaction with their classmates. If a student
is unable to fulfill this requirement for any reason, he/she should notify the instructor prior to the class and
make alternative arrangements. The aim is to encourage interaction among students and faculty, not
simply to present information. Students are required to actively participate in all course discussions.
Student responses to discussions must be substantive, that is, thoughtful and analytical. Because the
D2L system has its own way of formatting material posted on the discussion board, the student will not be
expected to strictly follow APA guidelines for online submissions. However, the student is held to
academic standards of writing style and the use of proper grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Credit for discussions is as follows:
Grading Rubric
Criteria
Points Possible
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Posts an initial substantive response to each of 6 discussion forums.
AND
Posts a minimum of 3 substantive posts to each of 6 discussion forums.
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Posts an initial substantive response to each of 5 discussion forums.
AND
Posts a minimum of 3 substantive posts to each of 6 discussion forums.
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Posts an initial substantive response to each of 3-4 discussion forums.
AND
Posts a minimum of 3 substantive posts to each of 6 discussion forums.
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Posts an initial substantive response to each of 1-2 discussion forums.
AND
Posts a minimum of 3 substantive posts to 1-2 discussion forums.
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Posts an initial substantive response to each of 0 discussion forums.
AND
Posts a minimum of 0 substantive posts to 0 discussion forums.
15
10-14
5-9
1-4
0
NOTE!! If you fail to meet both criteria, faculty reserve the right to subtract points received from the
highest criteria met (e.g., initial response to 6 discussion forums but 3 substantive responses to only 1-2
forums).
Course Policies
Quiz attempts that exceed the time limit will not be given credit. You are given a designated time. Make
sure you adhere to the time limit for each time (attempt) you take the quiz.
All students are expected to turn in work on time. Late assignments will be penalized 10% per day (or any
portion of a day) unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. You must contact the
instructor at a reasonable time PRIOR to assignment due dates (e.g., one hour before an assignment is
due is not considered reasonable notification time unless it is an emergency). No assignments will be
accepted after 4 days. Students will receive a 0 for non-receipt of assignments.
Assignments must be turned in to the respective dropboxes. Assignments will not be accepted if sent by
email or posted to the incorrect course area. Students posting assignments to other areas of the course
will receive a 0.
Plagiarism is a serious violation. It is a form of Academic Dishonesty. Plagiarism is considered "cheating"
however most students are not aware how to cite their references or sources. Visit this website and learn
what is considered plagiarism and how to prevent it.
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml. Information from
http://www.rodp.org/orientation/testing.htm#plagiarism
Punctuality
Students are expected to:
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Check the course calendar for the due dates of assignments.
Check the course home page for announcements.
Check the course bulletin boards frequently for additional information.
Course Ground Rules
The student is expected to:
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Learn how to navigate in the D2L system.
Participate by actively interacting on the discussion boards.
Keep abreast of course announcements.
Use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed to a personal e-mail address.
Contact the instructor if unclear about assignment expectations.
Address technical problems immediately.
Guidelines for Communications
Email:
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Always include a subject line.
Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way.
Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
Use standard fonts.
Do not send large attachments without permission.
Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided
unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
Respect the privacy of other class members.
Discussion Groups:
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Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion.
Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
If you are starting a new topic, use the appropriate button rather than using “reply”.
Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group.
Be respectful of others ideas.
Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your
remarks.
Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Chat:
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Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
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Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
Be constructive in your comments and suggestions.
Library
The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. You
may link to the virtual library by clicking here:RODP Virtual Library
Students with Disabilities
Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations
if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting
disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's
eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the
student's responsibility to initiate contact with his/her home institution's disability services staff and to
follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.
Syllabus Changes
The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are
necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes
both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the
course bulletin board.
Technical Support
If you are having problems logging into the course, timing out of the course, using the course web site
tools, or other technical problems, please visit the AskRODP Customer Support web page at
http://askrodp.custhelp.com/ or call the AskRODP Help Desk at 1-866-550-RODP (1-866-550-7637