Nursing Research in India (Major Milestones)

Research related to nursing in India has its roots in the philosophy of Florence Nightingale, which stated that the profession is committed to the task of enlarging professional body of knowledge through systemic approach to solve problems in nursing. The statistics on the unsanitary conditions in the Indian army prepared by Florence Nightingale may be starting point of nursing research in India. Afterwards, many developments have taken place in India, including the emergence of associations, growth of educational institutions, and efforts of prominent educators and administrators to directly or indirectly adopt scientific approaches. Some of the main historical milestones which influenced the development of nursing research in India are as follows:

1. 1946: Bhore Committee (1943) submitted a report in which recommendations were made for the improvement of various aspects of nursing profession, nursing education, nursing research, working conditions, nursing services in both hospitals and community, sending nurses for higher education to abroad, etc.
2. 1953: Ms Edith Buchanan, Vice Principal, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur (RAK) College of Nursing, New Delhi, was the first nurse from India who was sent to Columbia University to earn her Doctorate in Education (DEd) under a World Health Organization (WHO) fellowship programme.
3. 1955: Ms Margaretta Craig, Principal, College of Nursing, New Delhi, attended International Council of Nurses (ICN) meet in France to present a paper on the need for nursing research in India.
4. 1960: D First two years’ master degree programme in nursing was started by RAK College of Nursing, New Delhi, which included nursing research as a full subject with a thesis work on nursing topics.Nursing research commenced on an all-India basis along with a master’s programme in nursing A in an intensive manner, although nurse leaders had been already participating in research at various levels. Clinical studies were even being carried out on short-term basis by the beginning-level postgraduate nursing students.
5. 1963: A study of health services was carried out in connection with the revision of syllabus of General Nursing and Midwifery by the Indian Nursing Council in 1963. The study provided valuable insights into the trends in the health services and implications for nursing.
6. 1964: Dr Marie Ferguson, a public health nurse who joined RAK College of Nursing, New Delhi, was able to create greater appreciation and understanding and value of the research in nursing for nursing practices, administration, and education. With senior nursing leaders of country, she conducted a research study titled Activity Study to Define Nursing and Non—nursing Functions of Nurses in Selected Health Institutes of India.
7. 1966: Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) established a research section under the guidance of Chairwoman Ms Margareta Craig. TNAI conducted Nurses’ Time-Utilization Study with assistance from Ms Anna Gupta, Principal, RAK College of Nursing, under supervision of Dr Sulochana Krishnan.
8. 1971: TNAI conducted a study on the socioeconomic status of nurses in India.
9. 1976: Dr Marie Farrell and Dr Aparna Bhaduri of RAK College of Nursing, New Delhi conducted seminars on nursing research for educationists at Delhi, Mussoorie (Uttarakhand) and Yercaud (Tamil Nadu) to strengthen the nursing research in India.
10. 1981: Dr Farrell and Dr Bhaduri’s book Health Research: A Cornmunity—Based Approach was published by the World Health Organization (WHO).
11. 1982: Dining October, a national conference titled Nursing Research in India: Prospect and Retrospect was organized, which was the first conference in India related to nursing research, and was held at College of Nursing, Bangalore. Some of the recommendations ofthe participants of the conference were as follows: Each college of nursing should have a research cell.The faculty at nursing colleges should encourage students and provide them time for conducting research College of Nursing should foster research attitude among nursing students. Central and state governments and private organizations should include nursing research in their budget. Opportunities should be provided for faculty to visit foreign countries on short-term basis to learn about nursing research and Efforts should be taken to establish collaborative activities in the area of research and scholastic interactions with the nursing colleges in other countries.
12. 1984: A nursing research workshop was conducted titled Teaching Nursing Research to Nursing College Teachers at Bangalore, which was sponsored by the University Grants Commission. This workshop was open to all the teachers of all the nursing colleges in India. A workshop was conducted on ‘Nursing process’ by Dr Marie Farrell at Leelabai Thackersey Colle ge of Nursing, SNDT Women University, Bombay, which was sponsored by the WHO.
13. 1986: The Nursing Research Society of India (NRSI) was established to promote research within and related to nursing. Dr (Mrs) Inderjit Walia was founder president, and Mrs Uma Handa was its first secretary. This association continues to organize research conferences every year. For the first time, MPhil programme in nursing started at RAK College of Nursing, University of Delhi, New Delhi. Introduction of nursing research process was introduced in BSc Nursing curriculum by Indian Nursing Council (INC). All colleges of nursing in India have a uniform nursing research course to be taught at undergraduate and postgraduate levels developed by Indian Nursing Council. PhD in Nursing was for the first time started in College of Nursing, PGIMER, Punjab University, Chandigarh; however, it was later discontinued because of unavoidable circumstances.Later in south India, some private institutions, such as Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal and Shri Ramchandran College of Nursing, Chennai, started PhD Nursing programs.
14. 1998: Nursing Research Interest Section was organized under the chairmanship of Mr R. Raj arathnam (Senior Nursing Tutor—NIMHANS).
15. 2002: Recently revised syllabus of Indian Nursing Council for General Nursing and Midwifery Course (revised, 2002) and Post-Basic BSc Nursing (revised, 2005) has included nursing research as a full subject.
16. 2004: Publication of Nightingale Nursing Hmes was started by Jain & Co., Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
17. 2005: Publication of an exclusive research-based journal titled Nursing and Midwiery Research Journal was started at National Institute of Nursing Education, PGIMER, Chandigarh under the editorship of Dr Indarjit Walia, an eminent nursing researcher and educationist of north India.
18. 2005: National Consortium PhD Nursing has been constituted by Indian Nursing Council under the leadership of Shri T. Dileep Kumar, President, INC, New Delhi, to promote research activities in various fields of nursing in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, to initiate PhD degree programme in nursing under the Registrar of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore. WHO supports this programme. Six centres were designated as study centres, these are College of Nursing, NIMHANS, Bangalore; RAK College of Nursing, New Delhi; CMC College of Nursing, Vellore; CMC College of Nursing, Ludhiana; Government College of Nursing, Thiruvananthapuram; and Government College of Nursing, Hyderabad. These centres are corrrrected by video-conferencing facilities to impart the education.
19. 2009: Central Institute of Nursing and Research (CIN) was brought in existence under control of Trained Nurses Association of India in New Delhi.
20. 2009: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) started PhD in Nursing.
21. 2010: Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Punjab, started PhD in Nursing.

Nursing research continues to develop at a rapid pace and will undoubtedly flourish in the twenty first century. Broadly speaking, the priority for nursing research in the future will be the promotion of excellence in nursing practices.

Definition and Meaning of Research and Nursing Research

Research  

The word research is composed of a prefix ‘re’ and a verb, ‘search’. Re means once again, anew, or afresh, and search means to look for something or examine closely and carefully, to look for information, to test and try, or to prove. Therefore, research means close and careful examination of facts and their relationship to discover new knowledge.

1. Research is defined as a systematic and scientific process to answer to questions about facts and relationship between facts. It is an activity involved in seeking answer to unanswered questions.
2. Research seeks to generate an answer to the problem as well as suggesting additional questions in need of further inquiry.
3. Research is systematic method of exploring, describing, explaining, relating or establishing the existence of phenomenon, the factors that cause change in the phenomenon and how the phenomenon influences other phenomena.
4. Research is systematic inquiry that uses disciplined methods to answer questions or solve problems. The ultimate goal of research is to develop, define, refine and expand a body of knowledge for a discipline.
5. Research is a scientific, systematic, controlled, orderly and objective investigation to develop, refine and expand body of knowledge.
6. Research essentially is a problem-solving process, a systematic, intensive study directed towards full scientific knowledge of subject studies. (Ruth M. French, 1968)
7. Research may be defined as the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observation that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles, theories, resulting in prediction and possible ultimate control of events. (J. W Best, 1969)
8. Research is the process of systematic obtaining accurate answers to significant and pertinent questions by the use of the scientific method of gathering and interpreting information. (Clover and Balsley, 1979)
9. Research may be defined as planned, systematic search for information for the purpose of increasing the total body of man’s knowledge. lt involves looking for information which at the time is not available or for which that has no generally accepted evidence. (Archold Lancaster, 1982)
10. Scientific research is a systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of natural phenomena guided by theories and hypotheses about the presumed relations among such phenomena. (Fred N. Kerlinger, 1986)

Nursing Research    

The ultimate purpose of nursing is to provide high quality patient care. Clinical nursing practice without research is based on tradition without empirical evidences. Research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing treatment modalities, to determine the impact of nursing care on the health of the patients, or to test theories. Nursing practices are undergoing tremendous changes and challenges. In order to meet social challenges and needs, nursing practice must be research based. The discipline of nursing is as concemed as other sciences are with the use of the research process to generate new knowledge. lt is accepted as the means through which nursing science has evolved in the past and will continue to do so in the future. ”

1. Nursing research refers to the use of systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation in attempting to discover or confirm facts that relate to specific problem or question about the practice of nursing. (Walls and Bauzell, 1981)
2. Nursing research is defined as the application of scientific inquiry to the phenomena of concern to nursing. Nursing research seeks to find new knowledge that can eventually be applied in providing nursing care to patients.
3. Nursing research can be defined as the systematic and rigorous collection and analysis of data on the organization, delivery, uses and outcomes of nursing care for the purpose of enhancing clients’ health; it is not only about what nurses do, but also about clients’ behaviour, knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, perceptions and other factors influencing how they make use of and experience care and treatment.
4. Nursing research develops knowledge about health and promotion of health over the full lifespan, care of person with health problems and disabilities to respond effectively to act11al or potential health problems. (Commission of Nursing Research, American Nurses Association, 1981)
5. Nursing research is a way to identify new knowledge, improve professional education and practices and use of resources effectively. (International Council of Nurses, 1986)
6. Nursing Research is scientific, systematic and orderly process to find out solution for problems concern to nursing or generating and refining the nursing knowledge to improve quality of nursing care, nursing education, nursing administration. (S. K. Sharma, 2005)

FOUNDAATION OF NURSING RESEARCH

Nursing is considered one of the oldest arts, yet finds place among the youngest of professions. It is an evolving profession, which needs a continuously growing and expanding body of knowledge, which can be developed only through research. Research is one of the few ways by which knowledge can be generated, and a discipline can maintain its professional status and growth. Moreover, research provides a solid foundation on which nurses can develop and refine their professional knowledge and practices. Without new knowledge, nursing cannot improve techniques for newer and latest therapies such as infant care, pain management, grief counselling, client education, or many more such interventions. Research is a systematic inquiry uses disciplined methods to answer questions or solve problems. The ultimate goal of research is to develop, refine, and expand a body of knowledge. Research strives to garner knowledge and make discoveries that aid our daily lives. Nurses are increasingly engaged in disciplined studies that benefit the profession and patients. Nursing research is a systematic inquiry designed to develop knowledge about the issues of importance to nurses, including nursing practice, education, and administration.

Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik List of Approved Title of Dissertation for Academic Year 2010-11 under the faculty of Allied Health Sciences- M.Sc. Nursing (Post Graduate Approved Title of Dissertation M.Sc. Medical Surgical Nursing

List of Approved Title of Dissertation for Academic Year 2010-11 under the faculty

1. Effect of turmeric mouth wash on healing of oral ulcers among patients undergoing radiotherapy in the selected hospitals of Pune.
2. Effect of behavioral training in reducing anxiety and discomfort among patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in selected hospitals of Pune.
3. Effect of slow deep breathing relaxation exercise on pain and anxiety during chest tube removal among patients admitted in selected hospitals of Pune.
4.  Effect of warm humidified oxygen on thermoregulation of post operative patient with abdominal surgery in selected hospitals of Pune.
5. Effect of back massage on night sleep among post operative CABG patients in selected hospitals, of Pune.
6. A Study to assess the quality of life and coping statergies among pulmonary tuberculosis patients residing in selected area of Pune.
7. A study to assess the effectiveness of honey in warm water in prevention and management of constipation in post CABG surgery patients in cardiac recovery unit of selected hos ital of Pune cit .
8. A Study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge and practice of endotracheal suctioning among staff nurses working in critical care area in selected hos ital of Pune cit .
9. A Comparative study to assess the effectiveness of routine oral care versus alcohol based mouth wash on oral hygiene among patients with self care deficit in selected hos ital, Pune.
10. A study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching program on the knowledge, anxiety and behavioural response of the patients undergoing endoscopy at a gestroenterology centre at a tertiary care centre.
11. A study to assess the level of knowledge regarding ART and drug adherence among PLHA visiting ART centre of a Medical College.
12. The effectiveness of planned teaching on knowledge and practices of endotracheal suctioning among staff nurses working in the ICUs of Selected Hospitals.
13. Effect of planned teaching on knowledge and practice regarding the care of patients receiving anti-coagulant therapy among the nurses in the intensive care unit in a selected hospital.
14. Effect of planned teaching on knowledge & practice regarding care of patient with Coronary Angioplasty among the ICCU staff nurses in urban hospital.
15. Effectiveness of information booklet on knowledge and practices regarding selected aspects of lifestyle modification in patients newly diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction in urban hospital.
16. A Study to Evaluate the effectiveness of video assisted teaching programme on knowledge regarding prevention of breast cancer among school teachers in selected schools.
17. A study to assess effectiveness of planned teaching on knowledge about smoking as a cause of lung cancer among Junior College students.
18. A study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge regarding non curative care of terminally ill cancer patients among care takers of selected oncology institutions.
19. A study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge regarding diet of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy among care takers in oncology units of selected hospitals.
20. A study to assess the effectiveness of health teaching programme on knowledge regarding self care in patients undergoing chemotherapy in selected hospitals.
21. A study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding prevention of Nosocomial infections in patients undergoing chemotherapy among staff nurses in selected hospitals.
22. A Study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding reproductive tract infection among junior college girls with the view to prevent cervical cancer at selected colleges.
23. effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge regarding prevention and management of Thrombophlebitis in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy among staff nurses working at selected oncolo  hospitals.
24. A study to assess the effectiveness of video-assisted teaching programme on cardioversion among nurses working in critical care units in selected hospital of Pune city.
25. A study to determine the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on home care management of epileptic attack among the care givers of epileptic patients in selected hospitals at Jalgaon.
26. A Study to assess the effectiveness of interactive guided imagery and mirror therapy (IGIMT) on quality of life among stroke patients in selected hospitals, at Jalgaon.
27. A Study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching on knowledge related to selected aspects of care among hypertensive patients attending cardiac OPD in selected hospitals.
28. A study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching on knowledge regarding self administration of insulin among insulin-dependent diabetic patient in selected hospital.
29. A study to assess the effectiveness of information booklet on knowledge of cardiac Angioplasty in patients undergoing angioplasty in selected public hospitals in Mumbai.
30. A Study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching on knowledge of nurses regarding pain management strategies used in post operative cardiothoracic used in post operative cardiothoracic patients in the selected public hospitals.
31. Effect of foot massage on anxiety level of patients in critical care units in selected hospitals of Pune.
32. Effectiveness of Acupressure on pain perception among postoperativeabdominal surgery patients admitted in selected hospitals of Pune.
33. A Study to assess effectiveness of information booklet on knowledge regarding home care of stroke patients among care givers in selected hospitals of Pune.
34. Effectiveness of guided imagery on postoperative outcome among abdominal surgery patients in selected hospitals of Pune.

Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik List of Approved Title of Dissertation for Academic Year 2008-09 under the faculty of Allied Health Sciences- M.Sc. Nursing (Post Graduate Approved Title of Dissertation M.Sc. Medical Surgical Nursing

1.  A Study to determine the effectiveness of self instructional module on knowledge regarding medico legal aspects in care of cancer patient among nurses employed in selected hospitals.
2.  A Study to assess the effectiveness of Yoga (Yoga-Nidra) on Health related quality of life among cancer patient undergoing Radiotherapy in selected hospitals.
3. A Study to assess the effectiveness of structured education on knowledge regarding prevention of cervical cancer among ANM students in selected nursing institute.
4. A Study to assess the effectiveness of structured education on caregivers knowledge and attitude regarding colostomy care of patient in selected cancer hospitals.
5. A Study to assess the effectiveness of structured education on knowledge and attitude about safety measures regarding handling of chemotherapy drugs among nurses in selected cancer hospital.
6.  A Study to assess the effectiveness of structured education on knowledge and practice regarding venous access device care among staff nurses working at cancer units of selected hospitals.
7. A descriptive Study to assess the hopelessness and depression among cancer patients in selected Hospitals.
8.  A Study to assess the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation on pain among cancer patient in AIMS Hospital Dombivli.
9.  A Study to assess the effectiveness of topical application of pure honey on radiation-induced mucositis in patients undergoing Radiotherapy at selected hos itals.
10.  A Study to assess the effectiveness of the structured education on knowledge and attitude regarding primary prevention of oral cancer among the students of selected Junior College.
11.  A Study to assess the effectiveness of planned health teaching on the knowledge regarding Dengue fever among the students of standard 8 and 9 in the selected municipal school of Pune city.
12.  A Study to assess the effectiveness of planned health teaching regarding adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the knowledge of college students in selected colleges of Pune city.
13.  A Study to assess the effectiveness of planned health teaching regarding knowledge of Glasgow coma scale among nurses working in Intensive care units and emergency department in a selected hospital of Pune city.
14.  A Study to assess the compliance of staff nurses to intrahospital transport protocol for critically ill adult patients in a selected hospital of Pune city.
15.  A Study to assess theeffectiveness of planned teaching on use of incentive spirometiy in post operative compliance in patients undergoing cardiac surgery in selected hospital of Pune city.
16.  A Survey on self-care practices of patients with Ischemic Heart Disease who are attending Cardiac OPD of selected hospitals Mumbai.
17.  Effect of foot reflexology on performance of deep breathing and coughing exercises in patients after sternotomy in selected hospitals.
18.  Effect of planned teaching on the knowledge of nurses working in intensive care unit regarding arterial blood gas interpretation and selected nursing measures.
19.  Comparative study of perceived learning needs of convalescent patients after heart failure with that of nurses perception in selected hospitals of Mumbai
20.  Effect of planned teaching on knowledge regarding selected aspects of activities of daily among patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder in selcted hospitals of Mumbai
21. Effect of planned teaching on knowledge regarding selected aspects of home management of patients after valve replacement surgery
22. Prevalence of varicose veins and its contributing factors among ICU nurses from  selected Hospitals, of Mumbai, with a view to prepare an information booklet on prevention of varicose veins.
23. Effect of planned teaching on the knowledge of nurses regarding selected aspects of post operative management of Thoracotomy in a selected hospital of Mumbai.
24. Effect of cold application on selected side effects of injectable anti coagulants in hospitalized adult patients in selected hospitals of Pune.
25. Effect of communication Board on selected parameters of comfort in mechanicall ventilated patients in selected hospitals of Pune.
26. Effect of foot massage on selected side effects of cancer chemotherapy in hospitalised adult patients of a selected hospital of Pune.
27. Effect of Pre-operative orientation programme on pre and Post-operative anxiety of CABG patients in selected hospitals of Pune.
28.  An Exploratory study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching on renal care among patients undergoing dialysis in medical wards of tertiary level hospital in Pune.
29. A Descriptive study to assess the prevalence of drug non compliance among elderly population attending the ex-servicemen contributory health scheme of tertia level hos ital in Pune.