138 Volume 25, Issue 2, sprIng 2015 • CanadIan onCology nursIng Journal reVue CanadIenne de soIns InfIrmIers en onCologIe
FEA TUR ES /R U bR iq UE S reseArcH reFlections
Where to start with research
by Kristen Haase and Dawn Stacey
introDuction
A key element of oncology nursing is evidence-informed care. Research approaches can be used for con- ducting original research and for bringing evidence to the bedside.
Therefore, getting your feet wet in research doesn’t have to be a daunting proposition.
Simply put, research is a systematic way to answer questions or solve prob- lems (Polit & Beck, 2012). Research begins with a research question or a researchable problem. This prob- lem should be something that attracts your interest and is relevant to your clinical practice. After determining the research problem, the next steps include: (1) finding evidence to answer your question (via the literature or con- ducting a new study), (2) discerning if the findings are relevant, (3) apply- ing the findings to your nursing prac- tice; and (4) disseminating findings in a practice-based or research-based article. The following provides sim- ple strategies for getting involved with research (see Table 1).
FinD reseArcH to AnsWer A question
Since the inception of the Internet it’s much easier to access journal arti- cles to answer questions. However, this ease of access can be overwhelming due to the sheer volume of new literature emerging each day. A few disciplined strategies can help simplify the process and help you find literature to answer your question or solve the problem.
First, it is good to think about the question and its characteristics. For example, what are the various syn- onyms for the problem? Who is the patient population (e.g., adults versus children)? Where is the care being pro- vided? What is the outcome you want to achieve?
Second, look for clinical practice guidelines and/or systematic reviews.
Both provide a synthesis of findings from multiple studies. Clinical prac- tice guidelines can be found by going to the National Guideline Clearinghouse (http://www.guideline.gov/) or web- sites for specific nursing organiza- tions that produce guidelines (e.g., Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology [CANO], Oncology Nursing Society, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario). Systematic reviews can be found by conducting a search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and/or going to the Cochrane Library. Then, if neces- sary, re-conduct the search for individ- ual studies.
Visit the CANO website for research resources about evidence-based practice in nursing, how to locate evidence and generating a research question.
reAD reseArcH Articles/
JournAls
Another option is simply to read research and be aware of the latest stud- ies in your area of nursing practice.
One approach is to choose a topic you are passionate about, and a journal you feel is important to your practice, for instance, Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal or Cancer Nursing. Sosido is a resource available to all members of CANO that shares newly published arti- cles by members and other new articles in journals that are relevant to oncology nursing. Make a commitment to read one article a month, one issue a month or whatever is reasonable. By choosing a topic that you are interested in, it will be easier to stick to your goal.
PArticiPAte in or stArt A JournAl club
A more social option is to partici- pate in a journal club. Journal clubs pro- vide an opportunity to meet with other nurses to discuss a journal article and can aide in interpreting and applying research to practice (Steenbeek et al., 2009). Journal clubs have different foci;
they might be focused on a particular practice area, research method or a spe- cific disease group. Journal clubs allow
About tHe AutHors
Kristen Haase, RN, PhD Candidate, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa
Dawn Stacey, RN, PhD, CON(C), School of Nursing, University of Ottawa
Table 1: Where to start with research
Strategy Where to start
Find research to answer a
question • Clinical practice guidelines
• Systematic reviews Read research articles • Review Sosido
• Making a commitment to read one article or more a month Join a journal club or
community of practice • Connect with local colleagues or those on Twitter or social media Enroll in graduate studies • Take a course as a special student
• Talk to current students or recent graduates
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Canadian OnCOlOgy nursing JOurnal • VOlume 25, issue 2, spring 2015 reVue Canadienne de sOins infirmiers en OnCOlOgie
FEA TUR ES /R U bR iq UE S
you to deepen your understanding of the research process by learning more about a journal article in a social and relaxed setting. Journal clubs can meet in person at regular intervals (monthly), online, or using Twitter (Thangasamy et al., 2014).
Join A communitY oF PrActice
Communities of Practice (CoP) present another opportunity for nurses to discuss research and its relevance to their practice. CoPs are defined as
“groups of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or a passion about a topic, and who deepen their knowl- edge and expertise in this area by inter- acting on an ongoing basis” (Wenger, McDermott, & Snyder, 2002, p. 4).
CoPs provide one avenue to keep up to date with the evidence-based care tak- ing place at other institutions or differ- ent areas of the same institution and have been shown to encourage buy-in
from CoP participants, enhance sat- isfaction with leadership and knowl- edge translation (Barwick, Peters, &
Boydell, 2009; Bentley, Browman, &
Poole, 2010). CoPs have an important place in nursing, because nurses are reported to learn better in social, inter- active and practice oriented settings (Estabrooks, 2003). Although CoPs do not involve conducting research, par- ticipation allows nurses to see how evidence is translated into clinical set- tings. They may also provide an oppor- tunity to share knowledge amongst members.
enroll in GrADuAte stuDies
If you’re ready to go a little further with research, pursuing graduate stud- ies is an option. Graduate studies will allow you to gain deeper theoretical and methodological insights into the discipline of nursing and the process of research. Most Master’s and PhD
programs in nursing involve classes that prepare you for conducting inde- pendent research. Graduate work also gives you a structured environment and opportunity to see a study through from start to finish with the support of a supervisor. A graduate degree can also open up new career opportuni- ties, specifically if you are interested in a more research-intensive role. To start, you may want to take a course as a spe- cial student or speak to those currently enrolled in prospective programs.
lAst tHouGHts
Research is an essential aspect of the nursing discipline, but getting involved in research can seem over- whelmingly and complex. In this article we’ve presented a few simple activities that can get you more inter- ested and familiar with research, that can be done in groups or individually, and don’t all require advanced training or education.
reFerences
Barwick, M.A., Peters, J., & Boydell, K. (2009). Getting to uptake: do communities of practice support the implementation of evidence-based practice? Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 18(1), 16.
Bentley, C., Browman, G.P., & Poole, B. (2010). Conceptual and practical challenges for implementing the communities of practice model on a national scale—A Canadian cancer control initiative. BMC Health Services Research, 10(1), 3.
Estabrooks, C.A. (2003). Translating research into practice: Implications for organizations and administrators. CJNR:
Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 35(3), 53–68.
Polit, D., & Beck, C. (2012). Nursing research:
Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. New York, NY: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Steenbeek, A., Edgecombe, N., Durling, J., LeBlanc, A., Anderson, R., & Bainbridge, R. (2009). Using an interactive journal club to enhance nursing research knowledge acquisition, appraisal, and
application. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 6(1).
Thangasamy, I.A., Leveridge, M., Davies, B.J., Finelli, A., Stork, B., & Woo, H.H.
(2014). International Urology Journal Club via Twitter: 12-Month Experience.
European Urology.
Wenger, E., McDermott, R.A., & Snyder, W. (2002). Cultivating communities of practice: A guide to managing knowledge.
Harvard Business Press.
