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)