Research Purpose and Problem Statement
`The Research Problem, Purpose and Question Definition of a Research Problem
A situation in need of a solution, improvement, or alteration; or a discrepancy between the way things are and the way they ought to be.
Sources of Research Problems
Nursing Practice
Researcher and Peer Interaction
Literature Review
Theory
Research Priorities
Example of a Research Problem
“Current policy at most hospitals requires the use of routine flushing of heparin locks after administration of medication or flushing heparin locks every 8 hours when not being used for medication administration. However, there is disagreement on whether flushes of low doses of heparin are necessary to maintain the patency of heparin locks. Heparin is known to be incompatible with many drugs. The interaction potential of heparin is said to be avoided by flushing the lock with normal saline injection before and after administration of the medication…Saline flush is a safe, time-saving procedure for nursing staff to perform. Additionally, the use of normal saline would save the cost of a heparin flush.”
Definition of Research Purpose
A purpose is a concise , clear statement of the specific goal or aim of the study. The purpose includes the variables, population, and setting for a study.
Examples of a Research Purpose
“The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of normal saline versus normal saline containing 10 U/mL of heparin for maintaining heparin-lock sites.”
Research Question
Definition
--Research questions are interrogative statements that focus on what variables or concepts are to be described and what relationships might exist among them.
Research Questions Examples
What is the influence of depressive symptoms at 4 weeks after cardiac surgery on self-reported recovery of general activities at 8 weeks?
What is the influence of anxiety measured at 4 weeks after cardiac surgery on self-reported recovery of general activities at 8 weeks?
A situation in need of a solution, improvement, or alteration; or a discrepancy between the way things are and the way they ought to be.
Sources of Research Problems
Nursing Practice
Researcher and Peer Interaction
Literature Review
Theory
Research Priorities
Example of a Research Problem
“Current policy at most hospitals requires the use of routine flushing of heparin locks after administration of medication or flushing heparin locks every 8 hours when not being used for medication administration. However, there is disagreement on whether flushes of low doses of heparin are necessary to maintain the patency of heparin locks. Heparin is known to be incompatible with many drugs. The interaction potential of heparin is said to be avoided by flushing the lock with normal saline injection before and after administration of the medication…Saline flush is a safe, time-saving procedure for nursing staff to perform. Additionally, the use of normal saline would save the cost of a heparin flush.”
Definition of Research Purpose
A purpose is a concise , clear statement of the specific goal or aim of the study. The purpose includes the variables, population, and setting for a study.
Examples of a Research Purpose
“The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of normal saline versus normal saline containing 10 U/mL of heparin for maintaining heparin-lock sites.”
Research Question
Definition
--Research questions are interrogative statements that focus on what variables or concepts are to be described and what relationships might exist among them.
Research Questions Examples
What is the influence of depressive symptoms at 4 weeks after cardiac surgery on self-reported recovery of general activities at 8 weeks?
What is the influence of anxiety measured at 4 weeks after cardiac surgery on self-reported recovery of general activities at 8 weeks?