College of Nursing - Dissertation Guide

39 Chapter One Problem and Domain of Inquiry This section contains the introductory information that provides a background of the problem. The content may contain statistical data that supports that a problem exists. This section explains what the study is about and makes a natural bridge to the problem statement. Problem Statement The problem statement should not be more than a few sentences that are specific and explains why the study is important. The statement included the topic and population of interest and the significance of the topic or how it is problematic. The problem statement is a natural bridge to the purpose of the study. Purpose of the Study The purpose should not be more than a few sentences. The purpose of qualitative research varies according to the research method and the associated assumptions. The study should be designed as an inquiry process to describe or interpret a social or human phenomenon studied in the natural environment. Research Questions Research questions guide the inquiry and will depend on the research tradition. Research Question 1 Significance of the Study Explain how your study results will contribute to nursing knowledge in the following areas . Nursing Education Nursing Practice Nursing Research Public Policy Philosophical Underpinnings The basic assumptions of any given paradigm involve: ontology (the nature of reality), epistemology (one’s belief about how knowledge is acquired, e.g., how we know what we know), and the methods (The particular steps used by the individual to uncover the answer(s) to his or her research question). Positivism and post-positivism are the philosophical underpinnings for quantitative research; constructivism, interpretation and critical theory constitute the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research. In general, all qualitative paradigms assume the relativist ontology (there are multiple realities that are socially and individually constructed) and transactional epistemology (the knower and the known are inextricably entwined), as well as dialogic/interpretive methodology. The discussion of the philosophical underpinnings that is congruent with the student’s beliefs should include information about the philosophers that initiated the position. Research Tradition A wide variety of approaches guide a qualitative study; common approaches include: ethnography, phenomenology, and grounded theory. Thoroughly describe the approach and its application to the study. Definition of Terms