What is nursing research?
Nursing research is the systematic inquiry into nursing practice, education, and administration. It is a process of asking questions about nursing care and then using scientific methods to find answers to those questions. Nursing research can be used to improve the quality and safety of patient care, develop new nursing interventions, and inform nursing education and practice.
Why is nursing research important?
Nursing research is important for a number of reasons. First, it helps to improve the quality and safety of patient care. By conducting research, nurses can learn about new and effective ways to care for patients. They can also identify and address potential risks to patient safety. Second, nursing research helps to develop new nursing interventions. For example, nurses have conducted research on new pain management techniques, wound care dressings, and educational interventions for patients with chronic diseases. Third, nursing research informs nursing education and practice. By staying up-to-date on the latest research, nurses can ensure that they are providing their patients with the most effective care possible.
Types of nursing research
There are many different types of nursing research. Some of the most common types include:
- Quantitative research: Quantitative research uses numerical data to answer research questions. Examples of quantitative research include surveys, experiments, and clinical trials.
- Qualitative research: Qualitative research uses non-numerical data, such as interviews, focus groups, and observation, to answer research questions. Qualitative research is often used to explore people’s experiences, perceptions, and beliefs.
- Mixed methods research: Mixed methods research combines qualitative and quantitative data to answer research questions. Mixed methods research can be used to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a research topic.
Benefits of nursing research
Nursing research has a number of benefits, including:
- Improved quality and safety of patient care
- Development of new nursing interventions
- Informed nursing education and practice
- Advanced knowledge of nursing practice
- Enhanced professional development of nurses
How to write a nursing research paper in APA style
APA style is a widely used style guide for writing academic papers. APA style guidelines cover all aspects of writing a research paper, from formatting to citations.
APA formatting for nursing research papers
APA formatting guidelines include:
- Title page: The title page should include the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the author’s affiliation.
- Abstract: The abstract is a brief summary of the paper, typically 150-250 words long.
- Introduction: The introduction should provide background information on the research topic and state the research question.
- Literature review: The literature review should summarize the relevant research on the research topic.
- Methodology: The methodology section should describe how the research was conducted.
- Results: The results section should present the findings of the research.
- Discussion: The discussion section should interpret the findings of the research and discuss the implications of the research for nursing practice, education, and research.
- Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the main points of the paper and restate the research question.
- References: The references section should list all of the sources that were cited in the paper.
APA examples for nursing research papers
Here are some examples of how to cite sources in APA style:
In-text citations
- One author: (Author, Year)
- Two authors: (Author 1 & Author 2, Year)
- Three or more authors: (Author 1, Author 2, & Author 3, Year)
- No author: (Title, Year)
- Group author: (Group Name, Year)
- Corporate author: (Author Corporation, Year)
- Personal communication: (Name, Personal communication, Month, Day, Year)
- Multiple sources by the same author: (Author, Year a, Year b)
- Secondary sources: (Author 1, Year, as cited in Author 2, Year)
- Quotations: (Author, Year, p. Page number)
- Tables and figures: (Table/Figure Number. Title. Author, Year)
Reference list
- Journal article: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Journal Title, Volume (Issue), Page numbers.
- Book: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book.
Example nursing research paper in APA style
Title:
The Effect of a Relaxation Intervention on Stress Levels in Pediatric Oncology Patients
Author: Jane Doe
Abstract
This study examined the effect of a relaxation intervention on stress levels in pediatric oncology patients. Forty patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group received a weekly relaxation intervention for four weeks. The control group received no intervention. Stress levels were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after the intervention.
The results of the study showed that the intervention group had significantly lower stress levels after the intervention than the control group. The findings suggest that relaxation interventions may be an effective way to reduce stress levels in pediatric oncology patients.
Introduction
Pediatric oncology patients experience high levels of stress due to their illness and treatment. Stress can have a negative impact on patients’ physical and emotional health. Relaxation interventions have been shown to be effective in reducing stress levels in adults. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of relaxation interventions in pediatric oncology patients.
Literature review
A number of studies have shown that relaxation interventions can be effective in reducing stress levels in adults. For example, a study by Benson et al. (1975) found that a relaxation intervention reduced stress levels in patients with heart disease. Another study by Miller et al. (1995) found that a relaxation intervention reduced stress levels in patients with chronic pain.
However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of relaxation interventions in pediatric oncology patients. One study by Burbach et al. (2000) found that a relaxation intervention reduced stress levels in pediatric oncology patients. However, this study was small and had a number of methodological limitations.
Methodology
This study was a randomized controlled trial. Forty pediatric oncology patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group received a weekly relaxation intervention for four weeks. The control group received no intervention.
The relaxation intervention consisted of a combination of progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and guided imagery. The intervention was led by a trained relaxation therapist.
Stress levels were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after the intervention. The STAI is a well-established measure of anxiety.
Results
The results of the study showed that the intervention group had significantly lower stress levels after the intervention than the control group. The mean STAI score for the intervention group decreased from 45 to 30 after the intervention. The mean STAI score for the control group decreased from 40 to 35 after the intervention.
Discussion
The findings of this study suggest that relaxation interventions may be an effective way to reduce stress levels in pediatric oncology patients. The study is limited by its small sample size and the fact that the intervention was only delivered for four weeks. However, the findings suggest that relaxation interventions warrant further investigation as a potential intervention for reducing stress levels in pediatric oncology patients.
Conclusion
This study found that a relaxation intervention was effective in reducing stress levels in pediatric oncology patients. The findings suggest that relaxation interventions may be a useful tool for nurses to help their patients cope with the stress of cancer treatment.
References
Benson, H., Beary, J. F., & Carol, M. P. (1975). The relaxation response. William Morrow and Company.
Burbach, D. J., & Peterson-Benton, M. (2000). Relaxation response training for pediatric oncology patients: A pilot study. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 17(5), 230-236.
Miller, J. E., Turner, R. M., & Kabat-Zinn, J. (1995). Meditation and substance abuse in patients with HIV/AIDS. Addictive Behaviors, 20(6), 889-896.
Conclusion
Nursing research is essential for improving the quality of patient care. By conducting research, nurses can learn about new and effective ways to care for patients, identify and address potential risks to patient safety, and develop new nursing interventions.
Writing a nursing research paper in APA style can be daunting, but it is important to follow the guidelines carefully to ensure that your paper is accurate and easy to read. By following the tips in this article, you can write a nursing research paper in APA style that is well-organized, informative, and persuasive.
