Introducing Statistics for the DNP
A research problem statement identifies an area of need in which there is a gap in knowledge or practice and interest by a nurse researcher. Either from a hypothetical or real-world experience, nursing research problem statements help to focus the research purpose and guide the study of the problem.
In this discussion, you will identify a nursing problem to analyze the potential impact for positive change and explore tools used to examine it in the selected research.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
Required Reading
· Dang, D., Dearholt, S. L., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021).
Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model & guidelines (4th ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
· Chapter 1, “Evidence-Based Practice Background” (pp. 3–10)
· Chapter 4, “The Practice Question Phase” (pp. 80–92)
· Question Development Tool (pp. 283–288)
· Emsden, C., Schäfer, U. B., Denhaerynck, K., Grossmann, F., Frei, I. A., & Kirsch, M. (2020).
Validating a pain assessment tool in heterogeneous ICU patients: Is it possible?Links to an external site.
Nursing in Critical Care, 25(1), 8–15.
· Salkind, N., & Frey, B. (2019).
Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics (7th ed.). SAGE Publications.
· Chapter 1, “Statistics or Sadistics? It’s Up to You” (pp. 4–11)
·
Document: Hicks, T. (2024).
Quality evaluation of a central line associated bloodstream infection
Download Quality evaluation of a central line associated bloodstream infection. Walden University CAO Repository.
Required Media
Niedz, B. (2024).
Basic research principles: Introducing statistics [Video]. Walden University Canvas.
Required Power point
To prepare:
· Review the “Fall” articles from Week 1.
· Complete the Week 2 Basic Research Principles: Introducing Statistics Quiz.
By Day 3 of Week 2
Post a response to the following prompts:
· Identify nursing problems implicit in the nursing research study and the QI DNP project.
· Describe how the nursing problems define the gap in knowledge (research) and the gap in practice (QI and DNP projects). Compare and contrast how the problems are presented and potentially influence a positive nursing practice change.
· Identify one key measurement/variable used in each of the three studies/projects.
· Critique the question development tool presented in terms of the problem, the EBP question, and the measurement (Hicks, 2024).
By Day 6 of Week 2
Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts and
respond to
at least two of your colleagues on
two different days by expanding upon their reflections, making connections to your perceptions, and offering additional insights.
RESPOND TO THIS DISCUSION POST
Oneil
Nursing problems implicit in the nursing research study and the QI DNP project.
Nursing research explores nursing problems to prepare nurses for what to expect in nursing practice. The nursing problems in the QI DNP project and research study focus on gaps in practice and knowledge. The research study by Emsden et al. (2020) highlights a knowledge gap in pain assessment in patients who cannot speak, such as unconscious or intubated patients, by questioning the effectiveness of the current tools that focus on providing verbal responses. The QI DNP project by Hicks (2024), on the other hand, address a gap in practice by highlighting the increased prevalence of central line-associated bloodstream infections at a specific healthcare facility. These two problems are critical because they directly affect patient outcomes. However, they address different areas of healthcare improvement because they focus on expanding knowledge by validating tools and reviewing the implementation of evidence-based practices to reduce infection rates.
How the nursing problems define the gap in knowledge (research) and the gap in practice (QI and DNP projects) and a comparison and contrast of how the problems are presented and potentially influence a positive nursing practice change.
The nature of nursing problems defines the gaps in practice and knowledge. For example, in the research study, the knowledge gap is highlighted by the need to validate the tools used to assess patients for patients who cannot speak, thus bridging the knowledge gap in patient care. Addressing this gap can result in the development of better pain assessment tools, which will lead to improved patient outcomes. On the other hand, the QI DNP project identifies a gap in practice by reviewing the ineffective control of CLABSI rates. This creates a need to review and improve the current practices used to manage CLABSI. These gaps create opportunities to improve healthcare delivery by offering new knowledge. For example, the research study influences change by introducing new information that can be applied to patient care. Consequently, the QI DNP project drives changes through improved practices. However, the research study enhances nursing practice differently because it contributes to developing new theories, while the QI initiatives focus on practical improvements.
Key measurement/variable used in each of the three studies/projects.
The three studies reviewed this week have different key measurements/variables. For example, the key variable in the research study is the accuracy of the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool in assessing pain in patients who cannot speak. The critical variable in the QI DNP project is the occurrence of CLABSI as the primary measurement, evaluating the effectiveness of the interventions in reducing infection rates. The crucial variable in the third study by Bangura (2024) is the fall rate among patients. This variable creates the foundation for the study because it guides the researcher in evaluating the effectiveness of the current strategies used to prevent patient falls.
Critique of the question development tool presented in terms of the problem, the EBP question, and the measurement (Hicks, 2024).
The question development tool presented in the study by Hicks (2024) effectively connects the problem, EBP question, and measurement. The tool offers a structured approach to identifying and aligning a problem with an outcome that can be measured through QI projects and research. However, the tool is rigid, thus limiting the scope of study to predefined outcomes, possibly overlooking emergent variables that could be important. Therefore, the tool can be improved by making it more flexible to adjust to unforeseen variables during a project or research study.
References
Bangura, F. (2024). Development and evaluation of a nurse practitioner–directed intentional rounding strategy and its impact on decreasing falls in a veterans long-term care facility. (Publication No. 30991997) [Doctoral dissertation, Wilmington University]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
to an external site.
Emsden, C., Schäfer, U. B., Denhaerynck, K., Grossmann, F., Frei, I. A., & Kirsch, M. (2020). Validating a pain assessment tool in heterogeneous ICU patients: Is it possible?
Nursing in Critical Care,
25(1), 8-15.
to an external site.
Hicks, T. (2024). Quality evaluation of a central line-associated blood stream infection.
Walden University CAO Repository.
