The Art and Science of Nursing Research: Lecture Highlights

Nursing research is the vital link between the compassionate art of nursing and the scientific rigor of research and serves as the essential support for Evidence-Based Practice. This book describes the journey of nursing research from the recognition of knowledge acquired from tradition, authority, and experience, to the intentional, disciplined inquiry of science. It explores the multifaceted purposes of research— from description and exploration to explanation and control—and underscores its profound importance in improving patient outcomes, establishing a scientific base for nursing, and enhancing the profession's credibility. The piece outlines the key aspects of the research process: identifying a problem, developing a literature review, designing a research study, ethical considerations, and analyzing the data. It considers important challenges in nursing, such as the research-practice gap and limited resources. It provides the novice nurse-researcher with the tools to develop a research proposal for funding and, eventually, to translate evidence into practice.