What is a Source of Nursing Research?
In definition, a source of nursing research can be perceived as a study which provides evidence supporting specific nursing practices. Nurses use research from different resources to provide evidence-based care aimed at promoting high quality health outcomes for patients, their families, the community as well as the healthcare system. They also use research to craft health care policies within an organization, in direct care, and also at local statutory and federal levels.
A well conducted nursing research usually provides scientific basis for the profession practice. According to the National Institute of Nursing Research (2003), nursing research mainly focuses on the easement as well understanding of symptoms of chronic and acute illnesses using philosophical and theory-based and diverse methodologies; prevention or delayed onset of a disability or a disease, or slowing its progression thereof; implementing effective approaches acquire and sustain optimal health as well as improvement of clinical settings under which the recommended care is provided. Given the fact that there is a growing demand of increasing effectiveness and efficiency in higher education as well as the critical need leadership development in nursing, it is important to adopt sound educational processes and professional socializations as appropriate foci in nursing research.
According to Polit & Beck (2013), good source of nursing research must incorporate all the physical societal issues that may determine the direction of the study. The authors argue that the direction of nursing research is determined by numerous multi-factorial health determinants such as the physical environment, biological and socioeconomic factors that may influence the access as well as the use of various health services. A good example of a source of nursing research would be the Healthy People 2010: Understanding and Improving Health spearheaded by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. This initiative was aimed at helping people from all ages in the United States increase their quality of life and prolong their life in the process. It was also aimed at eliminating health disparities witnessed by different segments of populations in this country. A researcher can use this source to investigate the effect of this initiative in the U.S.A and also determine whether these goals were achieved or not, and what to expect from a similar initiative in the future under similar circumstances.
References
National Institute of Nursing Research. (2003). Making a Difference, NINR Research Results. Available from: http://ninr.nih.gov/ninr/news-info/Rudyshow2.pdf
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2013). Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2000). Healthy people 2010: Understanding and improving health: second edition. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Available from: http://www.healthypeople.gov/Document/tableofcontents.htm
