The content will change from semester to semester. Students may elect this course several times as long as different topics are studied. Not more than six hours of special topics may be used on a degree program. This course focuses on types of design, methods, sources of knowledge and analyses useful to consideration of selected nursing research problems. It builds on the foundations of research critique and utilization studied at the baccalaureate level.
Students develop a beginning proficiency in designing nursing research studies.
Students critique and consider the usefulness of both clinical and systems research process in nursing. This course focuses on the application of the research process in nursing. Students will develop a research proposal. It includes development of practical skills related to the coding of data, analysis of research data, and use of a computer statistical analysis package. Development and defense of an important study that contributes to nursing knowledge.