Introduction to the nursing research process

Many nurses have expressed an interest in conducting a nursing research project, but some have not had sufficient or recent exposure to the process of how to develop a research study. The nursing research process can be outlined using the nursing process steps of assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation. In the assessment phase the problem is identified, the literature is reviewed, and the variables are identified. In the planning phase the research question or hypothesis is formulated, and decisions are made on how the variables will be measured and how the sample will be chosen. In the intervention phase the data collection occurs; in the evaluation phase the data is analyzed and interpreted and the findings are communicated. By giving nurses a detailed yet understandable plan on how to conduct nursing research, their curiosity is encouraged and the body of knowledge will grow.