Research Skills in Nursing Practice
Research Skills in Nursing Practice
Continuous Assessment100%
Research Proposal
Word Count3,000 words
Assignment Brief
Choose a topic in nursing or midwifery that you would like to investigate and write a short literature review (1200-1500 words) outlining the current state of knowledge in the area and identifying a gap in the research. Write a research proposal that explains how you would address this knowledge gap.
You must meet with your supervisor on three to four occasions.
Meeting 1: discuss research topic and preliminary literature review.
Meeting 2: draft of literature review
Meeting 3: draft of methodology.
Meeting 4: any other issues.
Guidelines
Your research proposal should be structured as below.
All word counts are approximate and to act as a guide only.
Marks % awarded
Title page: Research question5%
Abstract5%
Contents0%
Introduction5%
Literature Review25%
Introduction
Background and literature review
Main discussion
Conclusion and final rationale for research question
Research design and methods35%
Implications and contribution to knowledge10%
Limitations5%
Reference list5%
Appendices5%
Research schedule
Budget
Other Appendices
Title page
The proposed title of your project
Your name
Your supervisors name
Institution and department.
Abstract 300 words
This should be no more than one page.
Title (Research question)
Key findings from literature
Overview of methodology
Limitations
Introduction to study150-200 words
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.
Literature review1200-1500 words
Introduction
A strong literature review shows that your proposed study has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It can consist of conceptual as well as research literature.
The literature review should be written in the past tense.
Your introduction should:
Introduce your topic
Provide context
Outline the problem statement and research question.
Outline the structure of the literature review.
Identify any areas that you have deliberately excluded.
It might also explain why the research is worth doing.
Main body
Compare and contrast the main theories, debates and studies.
Examine the strengths and weaknesses of the above.
It could be structured chronologically, according to themes or location. It should generally progress from the more general to the more specific.
Summary and conclusion
This should summarise your key points about what is known, strengths and weaknesses of the literature and any gaps identified, leading on to your research question.
Methodology1000-1500 words
Rationale for choice of method must be given throughout.
Introduction and overview
Refer to the key findings of the literature review and reiterate the rational for undertaking this study.
Clarify objectives and outline hypotheses if you have them.
Research design
Identify the overall research approach (paradigm) that you will be using and outline the research design, giving rationale.
Population and sample
Identify the population and explain the sampling method.
Data collection
Explain how the data will be collected and the data collection tool or instrument that will be used. If designing your own data collection tool, explain how it will be tested.
Data analysis
Explain how the data will be analysed, e.g. thematic analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics.
Ethical concerns
Outline how ethical issues will be addressed.
References
All references used must be listed. Do not list any references not used in the text. Use the Harvard referencing system.
Appendices
Provide a research schedule, using a Gantt chart or similar.
Provide a budget for costs of sundries such as materials and refreshments.
Include any other appendices referred to in the text.
