COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: NU 425, Theory and Research I

PLACEMENT IN THE CURRICULUM: Senior year, First semester

CREDIT HOURS: Two (2) semester hours

FACULTY: L. Cox

PREREQUISITE COURSES: Completion of Junior Year

COREQUISITE COURSES: Senior Year, First Semester BSN Courses

TEXTBOOK:  Nieswiadomy, R.M. (2002).  Foundations of Nursing Research, 4th ed.
                        APA Manuel. 5th Edition

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
 The  purpose of this course is to teach the structure of and reason for nursing research. Experience with critique of articles was introduced in the junior course . During this course the students explored the utilization of the Internet as a media for information. Within the framework of the current course student groups will develop a research proposal. With guidance from a faculty advisor, student groups will identify a problem of significance to nursing and follow the process through the development of a proposal.  In addition students will be introduced to selected nursing theories with application to practice.

COURSE OUTCOMES: On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

1. Understand utilization of selected nursing theories in context of professional life.

2. Understand the role of the professional nurse in research.

3. Understand the importance of professional values, ethics, and legal obligations inherent in conducting a research study.

4. Have an awareness of global issues for nursing research.

5. Apply knowledge of the research process in developing a basic research proposal on a problem of significance to nursing practice.
 
 

  TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 I. Introduction to the concept of theory
II. Nursing theories
IV. Case study application
 V. Research
A. Purpose of research
B. The research process
C. Classifications of research
D. Role, values, Ethics, Legal issues
E. Writing a research proposal
F. Chapter I (Introduction)
G. Chapter II (Review of Literature)
H. Chapter III (Design and Methodology)
I. Global Issues in nursing research

TEACHING STRATEGIES:

This course is taught utilizing web-based  instruction, small group work, and student presentations.
 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Learning activities include, but are not limited to, utilizing case studies to demonstrate the value of theory in problem solving, presentations in both theory and research, seminar on global health care issues and nursing research, completion of Chapters I, II, and III of a research project.
 
 

METHODS OF EVALUATION:
 

GRADING SCALE: ( 370 Points Are Required For Passing. Points Are Not Rounded Up).