INTRODUCTION

Definition
Research comprises defining and redefining problem, formulating hypothesis or suggested solution; organising and evaluating data;making deductions and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.
Clifford Woody.

Concept of Nursing Research

Concept an abstract notion, idea, thought.

Concept of Nursing Research Research is not an end. Research is a mean to an end. (To improve the quality of nursing Care, we need an innovative knowledge base).

NURSING RESEARCH THROUGH AGES

1900. The Nightingale era She recognized nursing as a discipline, different from medicine A need to develop nursing as a profession was recognized 1920-30. The curricular era Nursing leaders maintained a commitment to Nightingale's ideals and felt the need for developing knowledge and competency in nursing as it was deficientHence Curriculum was developed in nursing

1940-50 Research era The movement of nursing into schools for higher education led to research era. Nurses selected problems to study in nursing education
1950-55.Graduate nursing education era More graduates opted for nursing and research led to introduction to research in U G & P G curriculum

1960 Nursing theory era

Nurse theorists published theories and started using conceptual framework, conceptual models ,nursing process and theoretical framework in nursing research
1970 Increased emphasis was on nursing as a science and nursing research journal was published

 1980 Nurse researchers used computer assisted package to analyze research data 1990 till date Evidence Based Practice era Nurses felt to improve the quality nursing through research utilization and started to apply research finding in clinical practice

NURSING RESEARCH IN INDIA

Included nursing research and biostatistics in UG & PG curriculum Indian nurses are trying to apply research findings in clinical practice Theories are applied in nursing process. 1980s Nursing research society of India was established

 Every year NRSI conducts conference and invites research papers for presentation & publication In almost all nursing journals research abstracts finds an important place. Various Indian universities are offering M.Phil. & PhD. Programme in nursing

Definitions of nursing research

Nursing research refers to the use of scientific process , a systematic search controlled , empirical and critical investigations in attempting to discover or confirm facts that relate to specific problem or question about the practice of nursing

NEEDS FOR NURSING RESEARCH

PURPOSES

To establish scientifically defensible reasons for nursing research To provide nurses with scientifically proved interventions Cost effectiveness Setting standard Quality assurance Evidence based practice

Professional autonomy
Develop academic curiosity among nurses to learn

IMPORTANCE OF NURSING RESEARCH

Research is an important tool for the continual development of a relevant body of knowledge Research generates information from nursing investigations which helps define the unique role as a profession Professional accountability of nurses to their clients is demonstrated when nurses incorporate research evidence into their clinical decisions Research is an important tool for the continual development of a relevant body of knowledge Research generates information from nursing investigations which helps define the unique role as a profession Professional accountability of nurses to their clients is demonstrated when nurses incorporate research evidence into their clinical decisions

Research facilitates of the efficiency of nurses practice which may articulate their role in the delivery of health services Another reason for nurses to engage in research involves the reduction of cost of health care and cost containments practices being instituted in health care facilities.
Research may allow nurses to make more informed decisions as each phase of the nursing process is clarified through research

Research also enable nurses to understand about which a little is known It helps to assess the need for intervention Helps to identify factors that must be considered in planning nursing care

Helps to predict probable out come of certain nursing decisions

Helps to control the occurrence of undesired outcomes

Helps to initiate activities to promote appropriate client behavior