Introduction – Developing a Research Question
Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Identify a knowledge gap.
- Select a research topic.
- Identify attributes of a good research topic.
- Refine the research topic.
- Develop and refine questions that focus your inquiry.
- Identify and explain key features of a good research question (PICOT).
- Explain why it is important for nurses to be clear and focused when creating a research question.
- Identify which research designs may be useful for answering your research question.
Identifying a Knowledge Gap
The first and foremost step in conducting research is identifying previously unexplored research areas. Choosing an unexplored area in your area of clinical practice or research field will increase the value of your research and your chances of getting the work published. It would be devastating to complete a research project and be unable to publish the study findings because another researcher has already published something similar or be unable to see it applied to practice because some elements are not authentic/realistic and it is not relevant to practice settings. It is therefore important to identify knowledge gaps i.e., problems that have not been addressed before in your field of study or clinical practice, before you embark on choosing a research topic/question.
You may ask the question: How do I select a research topic/question? Experienced researchers often have a clear idea of what research topic/question they want to pursue. However, novice researchers, often find it difficult to identify original and innovative research topics. Three major ways of identifying existing research gaps in your field of study include seeking (1) guidance from experienced researchers or clinical practitioners, (2) inspiration from published literature and (3) databases for relevant articles.
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Guidance from Experienced Researchers or Clinical Practitioners
You can discuss questions and issues in your field with experienced researchers or clinical practitioners to seek advice and generate research ideas. Articulating your ideas and knowing what experts are thinking and working on can help you identify areas of your research or identify flaws in your approach. Have a conversation with your nursing professors/clinical instructors — they are a wealth of knowledge and can give you some great topic ideas!
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Inspiration From Published Literature
Read extensively on your topic of interest by consulting relevant and current books and articles. Not only will this help you understand the depth of research that researchers in your field are doing, but it will also give you the opportunity to ask questions that may lead to identifying research gaps.
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Search Databases for Relevant Articles
You can utilise research databases to analyse research trends in your field. TRU library Discovery Search and Google Scholar are good places to broadly search for articles, and you can refine your search to be more specific. Some useful nursing-related databases include CINAHL Complete, Medline, PubMed and more; these can be accessed through TRU library by searching for the specific database.
Remixed from:
- An Introduction to Research Methods for Undergraduate Health Profession Students by Faith Alele and Bunmi Malau-Aduli (2023), James Cook University, under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.
References
Alele, F., Malau-Aduli, B. (2023). Chapter 2: “Planning a research project.” In An Introduction to Research Methods for Undergraduate Health Profession Students. James Cook University. https://jcu.pressbooks.pub/intro-res-methods-health/part/2-planning-a-research-project/