Presenting and publishing research findings.

This module focuses on  Topics covered include preparing research proposals, types of presentations, and reporting to the public. Podium presentations and thesis and dissertation proposals are also covered. Additionally, this module focuses on evidence-based practice and developing a program of research. Topics covered include evolution of evidence-based practice and the value of building a research program. Criteria for evidence-based practice and launching a research program are also considered. The conversations that occur with poster and podium presentations are a very valuable and energizing exchange of information among scientists with similar interests. They are not, however, a substitute for publishing your findings. Publication reaches a wider audience and provides a more permanent record of your work. Sharing the results of your research with others is part of your responsibility as a nurse researcher. Practitioners need to know the results of your research if they are going to make their practice as evidence based as possible. There are two types of proposals that are of special interest in nursing research: one is the thesis or dissertation proposal, and the other is an application for funding. In either case, you as the proposer are seeking approval for your research idea and for your plan for conducting the research study. Writing proposals is clearly a challenging task, but the rewards are great. Even the most experienced and expert researchers are sometimes disappointed by the results of a grant review. Revision and resubmission of a proposal, unless strongly discouraged by the reviewers or funder, is an expected part of grant writing. As you gain experience, your grantsmanship skills will increase, as will your success. The ultimate goal of nursing research is to inform practice thereby benefiting those who receive our care. Slowly but surely we are building the research base that will inform nursing practice and strengthen that important connection between research and practice through increasing nurses’ awareness of the value of the knowledge generated in clinical research. The use of such strategies as evidence-based practice reviews and guidelines will further the accomplishment of this goal. Studies that make up a program of research have a consistent theme, such as comfort measures, grieving, infection control, and postpartum depression. The studies should be progressive, building one upon the other, and increasing our understanding of a particular phenomenon. Many consider the development of a program of research to be the ideal way to build a research career as well as contributing to the cumulative nature of science. Assignment: Explore the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) website: http://www.ninr.nih.gov/ Review their publication Bringing science to life: NINR strategic plan (2011, p. 7) to identify the current priorities for nursing research. Do you agree with the priorities or would you recommend addition or elimination of some of the priorities? What effect do the nursing research priorities have on nursing researchers? What criteria must be met in order to consider a practice, evidence-based? Provide examples. Explain the role quality plays in evidence-based practice? Based on the information you’ve learned to this point, write a research proposal that relates to the topics you chose for a previous assignment. Be sure to include the following information in your proposal: Hypothesis Theory Design model Method Anticipated results Potential Dissemination Avenues