What is a research paper?
A research paper is a written document that presents the findings of a research study. Research studies are conducted to answer specific questions about a particular topic. Research papers are typically published in academic journals, but they can also be found in other sources, such as books and websites.
Why is it important for nurses to read research papers?
Research papers are an important source of information for nurses. They can help nurses to stay up-to-date on the latest evidence-based practices, and they can also help nurses to learn about new research findings that may have implications for their practice.
How to find research papers relevant to your practice
There are a number of ways to find research papers relevant to your practice. One way is to use a search engine such as Google or PubMed. You can also search the websites of professional nursing organizations, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA).
Tips for reading a research paper as a novice nurse
Here are some tips for reading a research paper as a novice nurse:
Start with the abstract:
The abstract is a brief overview of the research study, and it is a good place to start reading a research paper. The abstract should give you a good idea of the purpose of the study, the methods used, and the key findings.
Read the introduction:
The introduction provides more detail about the research study, including the background information, the research question, and the hypothesis.
Read the methods section:
The methods section describes how the research study was conducted. This includes information about the participants, the data collection methods, and the data analysis methods.
Read the results section:
The results section presents the findings of the research study. This includes information about the statistical analysis of the data and the interpretation of the findings.
Read the discussion section:
The discussion section interprets the findings of the research study and discusses the implications for nursing practice.
Read the conclusion section:
The conclusion section summarizes the main findings of the research study and restates the implications for nursing practice.
Additional tips for novice nurses:
Don’t be afraid to ask for help:
If you don’t understand something in a research paper, ask a colleague, mentor, or instructor for help.
Use a dictionary or online resources to look up unfamiliar terms:
There are many online resources available to help you understand unfamiliar terms used in research papers.
Take breaks:
Reading research papers can be challenging, so it is important to take breaks. Get up and move around, or take a few minutes to clear your head.
Don’t be afraid to re-read sections of the paper:
If you don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to re-read that section of the paper. You may also want to try reading the section out loud to yourself.
Focus on the implications for nursing practice:
When reading a research paper, focus on the implications for nursing practice. How can the findings of the study be used to improve patient care?
Body
Start with the abstract
The abstract is a brief overview of the research study, and it is a good place to start reading a research paper. The abstract should give you a good idea of the purpose of the study, the methods used, and the key findings.
Read the introduction
The introduction provides more detail about the research study, including the background information, the research question, and the hypothesis.
Read the methods section
The methods section describes how the research study was conducted. This includes information about the participants, the data collection methods, and the data analysis methods.
Read the results section
The results section presents the findings of the research study. This includes information about the statistical analysis of the data and the interpretation of the findings.
Read the discussion section
The discussion section interprets the findings of the research study and discusses the implications for nursing practice.
Read the conclusion section
The conclusion section summarizes the main findings of the research study and restates the implications for nursing practice.
Tips for reading a research paper as a novice nurse
Start with the abstract:
The abstract is a brief overview of the research study, and it is a good place to start reading a research paper. The abstract should give you a good idea of the purpose of the study, the methods used, and the key findings. If you don’t understand something in the abstract, don’t worry. You can always go back and re-read it after you have read the rest of the paper.
Read the introduction:
The introduction provides more detail about the research study, including the background information, the research question, and the hypothesis. The introduction is a good place to learn more about the topic of the study and why it is important.
Read the methods section:
The methods section describes how the research study was conducted. This includes information about the participants, the data collection methods, and the data analysis methods. The methods section is important because it allows you to evaluate the quality of the study and to determine whether the findings are reliable.
Read the results section:
The results section presents the findings of the research study. This includes information about the statistical analysis of the data and the interpretation of the findings. The results section is the most important part of the paper for most nurses, because it tells you what the researchers found.
Read the discussion section:
The discussion section interprets the findings of the research study and discusses the implications for nursing practice. The discussion section is a good place to learn more about the meaning of the findings and how they can be applied to your practice.
Read the conclusion section:
The conclusion section summarizes the main findings of the research study and restates the implications for nursing practice. The conclusion section is a good place to get a quick overview of the paper and to learn about the most important takeaways.
FAQs
What are some common mistakes that novice nurses make when reading research papers?
Some common mistakes that novice nurses make when reading research papers include:
- Not starting with the abstract
- Skipping the methods section
- Not understanding the statistical analysis
- Not applying the findings to nursing practice
How can I get help reading research papers?
If you need help reading research papers, there are a number of resources available to you. You can ask a colleague, mentor, or instructor for help. You can also find many online resources, such as tutorials and articles, that can help you to understand the different sections of a research paper.
