Research/Analytical Methods

Course Description

This course teaches students to critically analyze research literature to continue to build the foundation needed for nurses in advanced roles to engage in scholarly practice and quality improvement. Students will learn to examine the continuum of scholarly inquiry and how to contribute and potentially lead research efforts. They will also acquire the skills essential to form investigative questions, construct a literature review, perform high-level database searches, and critically evaluate published research findings and conclusions. Course content prepares students to appraise quantitative and qualitative research, including epidemiological research, and evaluate the scientific merit and clinical significance of research for translation into practice.

Course Objectives

1. Develop the skills to engage in the steps of the research process and understand the interrelated connections between the steps.

2. Perform literature searches and reviews on an identified practice problem.

3. Critique clinical research methods in scholarly research articles.

4. Utilize critical thinking skills to assess and apply health research to practice situations with diverse populations.

5. Analyze ethical issues related to research problem formulation, methodology, findings, and clinical application.