Considering Hypotheses and Research Questions

Considering Hypotheses and Research Questions

The case scenario at 5 West as observed by a majority of the nurses, is the assumption that the presence of family improves patient experiences and care outcomes. This raises the need to allow families to visit patients in the Critical Care Unit. However, making care decisions, especially those that involve basing decisions on patient perceptions of care, such as in the scenario, is complicated and requires sufficient evidence to support such decisions. In nursing research, a hypothesis and question are related to the problem of focus. This article discusses the purpose of hypotheses and research questions, explains the importance of developing workable hypotheses and research questions in conducting research, and determines whether a qualitative or quantitative research study would be appropriate for the scenario.

Purpose of Hypotheses and Research Questions

Hypotheses and research questions guide the research study. They both help develop a framework on which the study can be conducted. For a hypothesis, it directs the researcher to predict the relationships that exist between variables (Binoy, 2019). Hypotheses can further be the basis for statistical analyses in quantitative research to determine the predicted relationships. The research question, on the other hand, provides a basis to explore a phenomenon in-depth to better understand experiences and interpret them to draw conclusions (Novosel, 2022).

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Importance of Developing Workable Hypotheses and Research Questions

Developing a workable hypothesis and a research question is important in nursing research as they allow the researchers to remain focused on the problem of study as well as guide the synthesis and interpretation of evidence (Novosel, 2022). The research question and hypothesis also form the basis of deciding on the research design to be used for the study as well as the ethics of research to be considered. And most importantly, both enhance the confidence in evidence developed and to be used in practice (Novosel, 2022).

Appropriate Research Method for the Scenario

The appropriate research approach for the 5 West scenario is a qualitative research study. Qualitative research will be appropriate for the scenario as it aims to determine whether the family presence in the Critical Care Unit influences patient outcomes. This study will explore both the perceptions of the patients and the care providers of the presence of family in the Critical Care Unit and whether the presence of family in the Critical Care Unit influences the patient’s care outcomes. Therefore, since it is all about experiences and perceptions, the qualitative approach is appropriate since it will allow an in-depth exploration of complex experiences, emotions, and perspectives of family presence, which may influence patient outcomes (Doyle et al., 2020).

As a qualitative research approach is selected to help explore the scenario, a research question will be developed. As there is already a preconceived void hypothesis by the nurses that the presence of family in the Critical Care Unit improves patient outcomes, a research question is therefore appropriate to allow the exploration of diverse participants’ experiences and perceptions related to family presence and patient outcomes. It will also allow the development of a hypothesis for future research to determine whether it is true or false that family presence influences patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Hypotheses and research questions are critical in guiding nursing research. They create the framework that determines the research design and interpretation of research findings. A qualitative research design would help with the 5 West scenarios and provide evidence to decide whether or not to allow families in the Critical Care Unit. Additionally, the qualitative research will further provide recommendations for future research to empirically explore the significant relationship between family presence and patient outcomes.

 References

Binoy, S. (2019). Significance of Hypothesis in Research. Indian Journal of Holistic Nursing, 10(1).

Doyle, L., McCabe, C., Keogh, B., Brady, A., & McCann, M. (2020). An overview of the qualitative descriptive design within nursing research. Journal of Research in Nursing, 25(5). https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987119880234

Novosel, L. M. (2022). Understanding the Evidence: Purpose Statement, Research Questions, and Hypotheses. Urologic Nursing, 42(5). https://doi.org/10.7257/2168-4626.2022.42.5.249

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In this assignment, you will write a paper that analyzes a scenario and explains the purpose of hypotheses and research questions.

Step 1: Read the following scenario.

You are a nurse on 5 West who has concerns about visiting hours in the Critical Care Unit. The unit currently has a visiting-hours policy that allows patients to rest and the staff to provide care in an environment that protects patient privacy and modesty. However, many nurses now feel that family presence improves patient outcomes. You and other nurses on your unit have noted that vital signs are improved and patients are more responsive when family is present. You are considering whether to use a quantitative or qualitative study to research this topic.

Step 2: Consider the following questions:

What is the purpose of hypotheses and research questions?
Why is it important to develop workable hypotheses and research questions in conducting research?
What type of research—qualitative or quantitative—would be most conducive to the scenario in Step 1? Why?
Which would be more appropriate given the scenario in Step 1: the development of a hypothesis or a research question or both? Why?
Step 3: Write a two-four-page paper.

Write a paper that describes the purpose of the hypotheses and research questions. Articulate the importance of developing workable hypotheses and research questions when conducting research. Based on the provided scenario, describe whether a qualitative or quantitative research study would be most appropriate and why. Explain whether and why you would develop a hypothesis or a central research question for this scenario.