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Use of physiologic variables in nursing research
1School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Image--The Journal of Nursing Scholarship
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Physiologic variables are underrepresented in nursing research, with only 15% of studies in four journals from 1989-1993 examining them. Blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature were most common, with mixed reporting on reliability and validity.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Research
- Physiology
- Health Sciences
Background:
- The National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR) advocates for increased physiologically based nursing research.
- Historically, nursing research has predominantly focused on psychosocial aspects of care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the use of physiologic variables in nursing research published between 1989 and 1993.
- To analyze the types of physiologic variables, study populations, and reporting of methodological rigor in published nursing research.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of 763 research reports from four major nursing journals.
- Evaluation criteria included population sampled, type of physiologic variable, study design, definitions, and reliability/validity reporting.
Main Results:
- Only 114 (15%) of the reports examined physiologic variables.
- The most frequently studied variables were blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature.
- Reliability and validity evidence was reported in 36% and 60% of studies, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Physiologic variables are infrequently utilized in nursing research, despite NINR recommendations.
- Studies examining physiologic variables often address clinical nursing questions and adult populations.
- While definitions were commonly reported, the reporting of reliability and validity measures needs improvement.