Student Tips for Developing the Research Process by Dr. Fehr

🔹 Tip 1: Start Small, Think Big

If you’re overwhelmed by research, begin with something you see in clinical practice. Even a small observation (like patients forgetting discharge instructions) can spark a research-worthy question.

🔹 Tip 2: Connect Research to Clinical Practice

Ask yourself: “How would answering this question improve patient care?” If you can link it back to the bedside, you’re on the right track.

🔹 Tip 3: Literature Reviews Save Time

Don’t reinvent the wheel! A quick literature search can show what’s already been studied and where the gaps are. This helps refine your research question.

🔹 Tip 4: Exploratory vs. Explanatory

Not all research has to demonstrate “cause and effect.” Sometimes the most valuable work simply explores a problem or describes it clearly for the first time.

🔹 Tip 5: Think Feasibility

When brainstorming research ideas, consider: Can this actually be done with the time, resources, and access I have as a student? Small, focused questions often lead to meaningful insights.

🔹 Tip 6: Keep a Nursing Perspective

A study may look at “hospital readmissions,” but your nursing perspective asks: What can nurses do differently at the bedside to reduce them? Always keep the nursing viewpoint in focus.

🔹 Tip 7: Keep It Relatable

Use examples from your own student life—simulation labs, exams, clinical placements. If it matters to you and your peers, chances are it matters in practice, too.

🔹 Tip 8: Ethics Are Everywhere

Even if you’re just surveying your classmates about study stress, remember: informed consent, confidentiality, and respect always apply.

🔹 Tip 9: Use Visual Aids

Flowcharts, tables, and diagrams aren’t just “extras.” They help you clarify your own thinking and make your work easier to understand.

🔹 Tip 10: Research = a Lifelong Skill

Think of learning research like learning a new nursing skill. You may not master it overnight, but the more you practice, the more confident you’ll become—and it will serve you throughout your career.