Assignment Content
This week you will begin working on your research proposal. You will not conduct research during this course. Instead, you will create a research proposal by identifying a research topic, question, and problem statement. Each week you will continue with your same topic to build your proposal.
Write a 500- to 750-word paper addressing the following:
Select a research topic.
Define your research topic. To ensure there is ample research available, search the University Library to locate at least 3 articles related to your topic. What do the articles say about your topic? Cite your articles according to APA guidelines.
Develop a problem statement.
Develop a research problem statement to use as a foundation for your work going forward in the class.
Determine why the topic is important and identify its main concepts and considerations.
A good problem statement contains an explicit statement of the problem, background information, complications related to the problem, what is unknown, and how your study could help resolve the problem.
For example, patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome receiving mechanical ventilation have a high mortality rate. Prone positions improve ventilation/perfusion matching. It is unknown if prone position improves outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Create your research question.
Create your research question using the PICO format. A research question is a question that a research project aims to answer. In most studies, the research question is written so it outlines various aspects of the study, including the population and variables to be studied and the problem the study addresses. For example, does prone position improve respiratory outcomes in ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome? Why is it important to nursing?
Identify variables or concepts.
Identify the dependent and independent variables in your research question, if applicable. If nonapplicable, identify the concepts. For example, oxygenation is the dependent variable and prone positioning is the independent variable.
Identify stakeholders.
Consider what audience(s) will be most interested in your research and/or have a personal stake in your topic. For example, staff nurses in the intensive care unit caring for ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory therapists, etc.