Procedures, ethics, and funding sources.(Demystifying Nursing Research)(management of clinical research-study)

Publication: Urologic Nursing

Publication Date: 01-APR-04

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COPYRIGHT 2004 Jannetti Publications, Inc.

This article is the seventh in a series aimed at the novice nurse researcher. The focus of each article has been the straightforward introduction of critical elements of conducting clinical research. The goals are to increase awareness of the parts of a research study, and how to write a proposal, carry out the research, and disseminate the study results to other nurses and professionals who could benefit from the knowledge gained from the study. In this article, writing research procedures, understanding the ethical considerations of undertaking research, and suggestions of funding sources for research will be discussed.

Procedures: The Step by Step Of Conducting the Study

Procedures are the specific directions for conducting the research study. They state how and who will approach potential subjects, how subjects will be screened for inclusion in the study, what information will be collected from subjects and who will collect it, how the information will be managed (for instance, if it involves blood samples, how these will be obtained and transferred safely to the laboratory for analysis), and when and how the intervention will be carried out. Thus, what, where, how, and by whom each part of the study will be carried out should be included in enough detail that someone who is not familiar with the study could follow the directions without error.

The value of a clear procedures section ensures that each aspect of the study has been thought through carefully. It is also useful in uncovering previously unrecognized gaps in who is doing what and when in the study. Using the cross country travel analogy, think of the procedures section as a detailed checklist of all the items needed on your travel: the itinerary, starting and finishing dates, clothing, personal items, and all the stops along the way. Make sure any traveling companions (coresearchers) all have the same understanding about the trip (research process) as you. Having a clear procedures notebook of the research can save many hours of frustration and increase the certainty that you will arrive at the destination (conclusion of the study) with a quality outcome and enthusiasm to embark on future studies.

Ethical Considerations In Conducting Research

Nurses are familiar with ethical issues and dilemmas in clinical practice such as the prolongation of life by artificial means and use of experimental drugs or procedures. There are also essential ethical considerations in conducting research. There are a number of guidelines for conducting research which have been strengthened in recent years. The most important ones will be highlighted here. Specific references giving further detail are listed at the end of the article.

Historical background: Nurse Eunice Rivers. A number...

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