Designing clinical research studies: Part II.

The focus of this article has been to describe common sampling strategies, determine how to decide sample size, consider the three hallmarks of an intervention study, and to describe what should be included in the procedures of the methods section of the study. An effort was made to emphasize material necessary for beginning investigators who would be designing small quantitative clinical studies. Resources are provided for further clarification and amplification.

Designing clinical research studies: Part I.

Research study design requires careful planning and key decisions. While these steps may seem tedious, they will save time and perhaps aggravation later. In addition, if you plan to seek funding for the study, you must provide a detailed description of how you plan to conduct it.

Demystifying the clinical nursing research process: the literature review.

The literature review is a critical step in designing and conducting a credible study. It might seem tedious at first, but your own ideas will become better developed and thoughtful as you critique what other researchers have done. It will make your study stronger.

Demystifying nursing research: defining the problem to be studied.

Determining potential areas to examine for researchable nursing practice problems, stating the problem/question for study, and areas to consider after tentatively selecting a problem for study are all fundamental elements of sound research study design. At this point, if you have a problem in mind, write it in a declarative sentence beginning with: "The purpose of this study is to..

The effects of a continence program on frail community-dwelling elderly persons.

Urinary incontinence among community-dwelling frail elderly is estimated to affect 6.23 million people at an annual cost of over $7 billion. Overwhelmed caregivers may seek institutional placement of their incontinent family member.

Quality of life after radical prostatectomy.

Purpose/objectives: To examine physical and psychosocial factors that affect the quality of life (QOL) for men 12-24 months after radical prostatectomy treatment for prostate cancer.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: An entire population from one tumor registry.

Nursing research and continence care.

Despite 50 years of attention to continence care and pivotal nursing research in the field, incontinence continues to challenge health care professionals and consumers alike. The role of nursing research in continence is traced from the early influences of Florence Nightingale to today's clinical practice guidelines and the influence of major nursing research centers.