Basic Hypotheses of Nursing - Article Example

? Nursing Research (Article Analyses) Nursing Research (Article Analysis Research Objectives, Questions, or Hypothesis In the study conducted by Kalisch and Lee (2011), the researchers’ work had a basis on two research questions. The first question sought to answer the question whether the level of staffing in nursing predicted the level of teamwork, which was in relation to the size of the hospital and CMI (case mix index). Secondly, the other research question in the study sought to answer the question about whether the level of staffing predicted subscales of teamwork, again in relation to the size of the hospital and CMI. Based on the research questions, the objective of the research study was to investigate the relationship between staffing of nursing levels and the teamwork that nurses showed while working in the setup (Kalisch & Lee, 2011). Though not explicitly stated as the objective of the research, the researchers used the purpose of the research study to provide the objective of the study. In this case, this is in line with nursing research whereby the purpose of the study entails “the aims or objectives the investigator hopes to achieve” (Haber, 2009, p.37). Kalisch and Lee (2011) did not indicate the hypothesis in their research study. However, Haber (2009) noted that the hypothesis in research does not have to be stated explicitly in a research study. Hence, the hypothesis of a study can be obtained from the discussion section. In this case, Kalisch and Lee (2011) provide the hypothesis of the study in the discussion section. Importantly, the researchers ensured that the hypothesis was in line with the research questions and objective of the study. In this case, the hypothesis of the study was a “higher proportion (skill mix) of nurse staffing (i.e., more RNs in the mix of staff) also results in better nursing teamwork” (Kalisch & Lee, 2011, p.86). Importantly, the hypothesis is in line with the structuring of a hypothesis in nursing research since it shows a relationship between two variables in a research study, i.e. the variable of nurse staffing and the variable of nursing teamwork. In effect, the hypothesis depiction of a relationship between two variables qualifies the hypothesis as a good hypothesis since it provides a relationship between two variables (Haber, 2009). 2. Variables in the Research Study As earlier indicated, the hypothesis of the research study provides a relationship between two or more variables in the study. In the study conducted by Kalisch and Lee (2011), the hypothesis provides a relationship between two variables with the first variable being staffing while the second variable is teamwork. Importantly, Kalisch and Lee explicitly stated and discussed these two variables in their study in detail. Macnee and McCabe (2008) identified the independent variables in a study as the variables that determine or predict the outcome of interest. In line with this, Kalisch and Lee (2011) used staffing as the independent variable in the study since nursing staffing determined the outcome that the research study sought to investigate. On the other hand, it is important to point out that a dependent variable in a research study is “the outcome that the research is trying to explain or predict” (Macnee & McCabe, 2008, p.74). In line with this, it is evident that the researchers wanted to investigate the effects of staffing in nursing on the levels of teamwork nurses exhibited. In effect, the amount of teamwork exhibited by these nurses depends on the levels of staffing, which in this case qualifies teamwork as the dependent variable of the study. Kalisch and Lee (2011) also identified other variables in their research. These variables qualify to fit the category of research variables. In this case, the first of these variables is hours per patient per day (HPPD), which is a determinant of the staffing levels in nursing. Secondly, another research variable is the skill mix in nursing, which is “the proportion of RNs, LPNs, and NAs providing direct patient care on a given unit” (Kalisch & Lee, 2011, p.84). Finally, another research variable is the case mix index, also known as CMI. These three variables are important since they determine the level of nurse staffing in a facility. Hence, they fit the category of research variables. 3. Attributes and Demographic Variables The research study focused on the attributes of gender, age, and professional qualifications of the nurses while conducting research. In line with this, the study conducted by the researchers involved 60% percent of the sample as nurses above 35 years (Kalisch & Lee, 2011). Therefore, it is evident that this attribute of age is crucial since these nurses had more than ten years of practice. Hence, they would offer more information due to their experiences in various facilities regarding the role of staffing and its influence on teamwork in nursing. In terms of the gender attribute as a demographic variable, the sample of the study had 89% females while the rest were males (Kalisch & Lee, 2011). In this case, it is evident that most nurses were females, which might have contributed to these figures. However, it would have been appropriate for these researchers to increase the number of men in the sample since 11% is not representative of the male population that worked in the nursing professionals. Finally, the attribute of education whereby over 46% of nurses in the study possessed the qualification of a degree in nursing is important due to the skills mix that the researchers used in determining the levels of staffing. 4. Data Collection The study used primary sources of data and secondary sources of data while conducting the research study. In this case, the researchers used existing data in order to argue their case to the reader and underline the importance of conducting the research study. In line with this, Polit and Beck (2009) noted existing records provided researchers in nursing with knowledge that the nurses used to answer research questions. In effect, the researchers used existing research studies to develop the literature that provides the reader with knowledge about the research study and background information. The data collection technique was spread in duration of four weeks in each facility involved in the research study with the data protocol involving two phases. Importantly, each phase intended to achieve a different objective with the researchers first seeking the approval and support of the hospitals involved, which is the fundamental step in research ethics. In addition, the study relied on the use of questionnaires to collect the raw data from their subjects with each subject obtaining the survey in a sealed envelope (Kalisch & Lee, 2011). This way, the questionnaire was instrumental in providing researchers with the information that they will use to draw their findings and conclusions regarding the hypothesis. Polit and Beck (2009) identified the use of questionnaires in surveys as crucial since they provided researchers with the chance of structuring a second phase during data collection, which was the case for this research study. In effect, this suggests that the study’s data collection technique was crucial in obtaining the answers to the research questions. References Haber, J. Research Questions, Hypothesis, and Clinical Questions. In G. LoBiondo-Wood & J. Haber. Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice (7ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Kalisch, B. J., & Lee, K. H. (2011). Nurse Staffing Levels and Teamwork: A Cross-Sectional Study of Patient Care Units in Acute Care Hospitals. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 43(1), 82-88. Macnee, C. L., and McCabe, S. (2008). Understanding Nursing Research: Using Research in Evidence-Based Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2009). Essentials of Nursing Research: Appraising Evidence for Nursing Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Read More