According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Masters prepared nurse “recognizes that the master’s-prepared nurse applies research outcomes within the practice setting, resolves practice problems, works as a change agent, and disseminates results.” Many research ideas emerge from practice and/or the educational environment. Formulating a well-built research question is challenging. Asking the right question facilitates the search process when conducting a review of the literature. Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.
The process of formulating a research question is crucial in conducting a review of the literature. A well-built research question not only guides the search process but also determines the direction of the study and the type of evidence to be sought. In this paper, we will delve into the factors that contribute to the formulation of a well-built research question and discuss the importance of validating opinions and ideas with proper citations and references in APA format.
A research question is the foundation of any study as it sets the stage for the entire research process. It acts as the compass that guides researchers in their search for relevant literature, data collection, and data analysis. The formulation of a research question requires a thorough understanding of the problem or issue at hand and the specific objectives of the study.
When formulating a research question, it is important to consider the PICO framework, which stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome. This framework helps to identify the key elements of a research question and ensures that all relevant aspects are addressed. The Population refers to the target group or individuals who are the focus of the study. The Intervention refers to the specific intervention or treatment being investigated. The Comparison involves comparing different interventions or treatment options. Lastly, the Outcome refers to the desired outcome or the impact of the intervention being studied.
Let’s consider an example to illustrate the importance of the PICO framework in formulating a research question. Suppose a nurse is interested in studying the effectiveness of a new pain management intervention for post-operative patients. Using the PICO framework, the nurse can formulate a research question such as “In post-operative patients (P), does the use of a new pain management intervention (I) compared to standard pain management protocols (C) result in a decrease in opioid use and better pain control (O)?” This research question clearly identifies the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome, which will guide the researcher in conducting a systematic review of the literature and collecting relevant data.
In addition to the PICO framework, it is important to consider the feasibility and relevance of the research question. Feasibility refers to the practicality of conducting the study given available resources, time, and ethical considerations. Relevance refers to the significance and impact of the research question on the nursing profession and patient care. A research question that is feasible and relevant will be more likely to generate meaningful results and contribute to the existing body of knowledge.
After formulating a research question, it is important to validate opinions and ideas with proper citations and references in APA format. Validating opinions and ideas involves supporting them with evidence from credible and reliable sources. This not only strengthens the credibility of the research but also allows other researchers to verify and build upon the findings.
Citations and references in APA format help to attribute ideas and information to their original sources, provide readers with the necessary information to locate and access the source material, and demonstrate the scholarly nature of the research. In APA format, in-text citations typically include the author’s last name and the year of publication within parentheses, while the complete reference is listed in the reference section at the end of the paper.
It is important to ensure that citations and references are accurate and properly formatted according to APA guidelines. Failure to do so may result in plagiarism, which is a serious academic misconduct. Plagiarism undermines the integrity of the research and can have severe consequences for the researcher, including academic sanctions and damage to professional reputation.
In conclusion, the formulation of a well-built research question is crucial in conducting a review of the literature. The PICO framework helps to identify the key elements of a research question and ensures that all relevant aspects are addressed. Additionally, considering the feasibility and relevance of the research question enhances the practicality and significance of the study. Lastly, validating opinions and ideas with proper citations and references in APA format strengthens the credibility of the research and allows for further verification and building upon the findings. As researchers, it is our responsibility to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and ensure that our ideas and opinions are supported by evidence from credible sources.