Rubric:
PROPOSAL – METHODS & PROCEDURE SECTION (150 points)
The purpose of the assignment is to apply course learnings writing a research project proposal. This paper should be a short but detailed proposal to replicate a nursing research study on a topic of interest to you. The paper should be 12-15 pages in length not counting title pages, references or appendices.
RUBRIC FOR GRADING FOR PROPOSAL – QUANTITATIVE METHODS & PROCEDURE SECTION:
Components
Points
A. Summary of Review of Literature Findings
1. Background and significance of the problem, relate to nursing
2. Statement of the problem
3. Statement of the purpose
4. Summary of relevant research
5. Framework summary
6. Conceptual and Operational definitions
7. Formulate objectives, questions or hypotheses
* you may not have a hypothesis.
10
Description of the research design- include a model of the design, the strengths and weaknesses of the design validity
Description of the proposed intervention(s) if appropriate- including the protocol for implementing the intervention in detail including who would implement the intervention and describe how intervention fidelity would be ensured. Not all studies will have interventions. Descriptive studies will not have interventions.
35
Identification of the populations and sample- include sample size, use of power analysis, sample criteria and sampling methods including strengths and weaknesses
15
Selection of a setting- strengths and weaknesses of the setting
15
Presentation of ethical considerations- protection of subjects’ rights and university and agency IRB plan and process
15
Selection of measurement methods – include reliability, validity, scoring and level of measurement of the instruments, as well as plans for examining reliability and validity of the instruments in the present study; precision and accuracy of physiological measures.
15
Plan for data collection – including the process, training of data collectors if appropriate, schedule, data collection forms and management of data
15
Plan for data analysis- demographic data, analysis for research objectives, questions or hypothesis, level of significance and if appropriate other analysis techniques
15
Identification of limitations
10
Dissemination Plan
5
Example Quantitative Research Proposal:
Gray, J. R., Grove, S. K., & Sutherland (2017) p. 634 or Grove, Burns & Gray (2013) p. 637
150
Article to Base Research Proposal: (A PDF copy will be attached to files
Altaker, K. W., Howie-Esquivel, J., & Cataldo, J. K. (2018). Relationships among palliative care, ethical climate, empowerment, and moral distress in Intensive Care Unit Nurses. American Journal of Critical Care, 27(4), 295–302. https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2018252
INFORMATION THAT I HAVE STARTED THAT MUST BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARTICLE:
Revised Problem/Purpose: Poor access to palliative care teams in the ICU setting causes increased levels of moral distress among nursing which negatively impacts patient care. The purpose of this research proposal is to reiterate past data found in correlation to higher levels of moral distress in the ICU and how it is related to increased levels of nurse burnout in the workplace.
Research Design:
For the purpose of this particular article I decided to go with a noninterventional design. Specifically I chose a correlational design for the research proposal. I feel that this would be the most effective design method for the study replication as it does not require the use of input or interventions and its processes would best highlight the relationship or correlation between the availability of palliative care teams and levels of burnout/ moral distress in the ICU setting. Threats to validity related to this specific type of research design could include things like poor supporting evidence, insufficient data collection from surveying sample groups and even the lack of prior research to help replicate the study.
Identify the target population to which your proposal findings will be generalized.
The target population for my proposal will consist of Licensed RNs working in specific critical care specialities (i.e, ICU, CCU, NICU, CVICU).
Identify the accessible population you will use for your sample. Be specific – name the location and unit and specific site, if applicable. Describe the agency.
The proposed accessible population for the sample will be Tristar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. Tristar Centennial is a 741-bed hospital located in downtown Nashville and with an expansive critical care department. Their critical care units included the CVICU, MSICU, CCU and NICU and Neuro ICU. Nurses for the sample population will be randomized and pulled from all of these specific critical care specialties.
What sampling method will you use (simple random, cluster, systematic, convenience,quota, purposive, etc.)?
A simple random sampling method will be used for purposes of this study as all participants (who meet ICU criteria) will be selected and intergrated in the collection of data.
Identify inclusion and exclusion criteria for your sample.
Inclusion criteria for this study is quite simple. All interested parties who complete the survey in its entirety and returns by the deadline will be included in the sample population.
How will you recruit your sample?
The sample will be recruited by posting flyers and notices of the study throughout the critical care areas of the hospital. A link or QR code will be posted for all to access which will ensure all data is kept confidential and will be recieved in a timely manner.
What is your target sample size? Explain.
In order to effectively convey accurate results from the data, a target sample size of 150 is ideal. If the interest for the survey and the study exceeds 150 then members of the research team will try to narrow down entries as they correlate and align to the study.
How will you measure each variable in your study?
Sociodemographic Variables
Level of Measurement
Descriptive Statistical Procedures
Age in years: 20-65
-Average: 35
-Minimum: 20
-Maximum: 65
Interval
Mean
Race/ Ethnicity
-White: 85
-Black: 50
-Hispanic/ Latino: 15
Nominal
Mean
Gender
– Female: 100
– Male: 50
Nominal
Frequency
Occupation
Nursing (RN)
Nominal
Frequency
Study Dependent Variables:
-Levels of Moral Dsitress
-Ethical Climate
-Feeling of Empowerment
Level of Measurement:
Mean (SD) scoring
Discuss any instruments you will use to measure variables. Include a discussion about reliability, validity, how the instrument is scored. Remember if you were to conduct a real study, you would need permission from the author to use their instrument. Are you able to find contact information to obtain that permission (don’t contact the author since you are not doing the study)?
The software used for statistical analysis is the SPSS 22.0 verson (Statistical Package for the Social Science). Each variable measured in the study will then be measured using their corresponding scales. For example to measure moral distress level of nurses in the ICU the Moral Distress Sacle-Revised (MDS-R) will be utlized. The PEI or Psychological Empowerment Instrument will be employed to measured percieved support of staff in the work environment. Lastly, the Hospital Ethical Climate Survey (HECS) will be a tool used to measure the positive or negative apsects of the ICU’s work climate.
What copies of data-collection instruments or spreadsheets will you include with your proposal? See the example in the Chapter 28 Proposal Appendix C data-collection form.
Data analysis done through the use of statistical programming to yield reliable scores will be included within the study to ensure validity of the study is proven.
