Course Syllabus

Faculty: Cathy Duchovic, B.S., R.N.
MSN Graduate Student
duchovca@ipfw.edu

Supervisor Faculty: Carol Sternberger, PhD., R.N.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Examine the application of research findings to healthcare situations to promote client adaptation and professional growth.

1.1 Suggest research problems suitable for investigation.
1.2 Analyze the 4 basic ethical principles and their relation to health care research.
1.3 Determine risk-benefit ratio for participants in a research study.

2. Discuss the real and potential impact of research on healthcare practice using the nursing process (problem solving) as a guide.

2.1 Work with others to accept or reject research findings.

3. Promote open communication with peers regarding research activities and findings.

3.1 Read research reports related to own health care practice.
3.2 Attend research seminars.
3.3 Share personal research experiences with peers through conversations, presentations,and/or publications.

4. Discuss the idea that one quality of a leader is the currency of their practice based on a knowledge of research.

4.1 Discuss the research process.
4.2 Identify concepts and theoretical frameworks.
4.3 Examine the principles of research designs.

5. Discuss the process of critiquing of research reports to increase the quality of healthcare practice.

5.1 Explain the purpose of a research critique.
5.2 Participate in group activity designing critique.
5.3 Analyze research manuscripts.
5.4 Lead class discussion of critiques.

6. Utilize critical thinking to construct meaning of research findings to own practice.

6.1 Discuss the national and international health care research directions.
6.2 Define the scientific problem-solving process.

7. Value research as means of idirecting or supporting change in health care delivery.

7.1 Identify the bases for health care practice protocols.
7.2 Determine the effectiveness of health care practice protocols in terms of predetermined criteria.

General Education, Area VI, Inquiry and Analysis

Research in Healthcare meets the requirements for classification as an Area VI, Gen Ed course. You will be expected to synthesize knowledge from various disciplines, that may include (but not limited to) nursing, medicine, health sciences, sociology, psychology, statistics, social work, and education. This course is problem-oriented as you select topic of interest, related to healthcare, that you would like to examine using a systematic, scientific approach.

As an Inquiry and Analysis General Education course, Research in Healthcare provides opportunities for synthesizing knowledge. You will be expected to:

Demonstrate your ability to gather, evaluate, select, organize and synthesize material.
Demonstrate the ability to think critically and solve problems by applying knowledge and skills gained in earlier courses.
Work across disciplinary boundaries.

If You Need Help to Navigate Through the Course contact the Helpdesk at 481-6030.

Course Requirements and Assignments:

ASSIGNMENTS

Critique (Quantitative Article)
Analysis (Qualitative Article)
Weekly Work:
Drop Box Assignments
Forums, e-mails, etc.
Module Quizzes
Final Exam

TOTAL

POINTS

100
100

175
125
100
100

700

Policies

Students are accountable for information in the IPFW Student Handbook entitled: IPFW Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct and relevant information in the Baccalaureate Nursing Information Manual.

Course policy on late papers: the final score on paper/project will be dropped 5% for each day late (includes Saturday, Sunday, and holidays). APA style is used for all papers. Refer to pp.349-350 of the 5th Ed. APA Publication Manual for rules regarding plagiarism.

Grading Scale:

A 92-100
B 84-91
C 75-83
D 66-74
F < 65

Course Evaluation and Assessment

Professional Portfolio is compiled throughout the BS program for nursing students.

Methods of Instruction

Forum group discussion, presentation software, library searches, Internet searches, CD-ROM learning activities, and video. The course is developed using the Hyperlearning Model concepts: General Principles, Process, Critical Thinking, and Professional Applications.

REQUIRED Textbooks

American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American psychological association (5th ed.). Washington DC: Author
LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2002). Nursing research methods, critical appraisal and utilization (5th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.
Strunk, W. & White, E.B. (1999) Elements of style with index (4th ed.) Allyn and Bacon:Boston.

Required Readings:

Library Reserve Express Articles (on-line)
2 CD Roms for Course (available at bookstore):

NUR 339 Research in Healthcare CD Rom by Carol Sternberger, PhD, RNC
Qualitative Research/Secondary Analysis CD Rom by Susan Modlin, PhDc, RN and Carol Sternberger, PhD, RN, and Judith Violette, MS.

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This is a helpful link to cite online sources; however, you do need the manual for the coursework.[APA Online Source]