Intended to help students learn to read and use research as a basis for nursing practice, this new Nursing Research textbook puts research into the context of evidence-based practice, helping students gain knowledge of research concepts while learning to apply them. The conversational style of the text minimizes the intimidating aspects of research to maximize understanding. Key Features Voices from the Field?stories from the real nurses and their real experiences with the research process Gray Matter?key concepts noted in the margins for quick review Critical Appraisal Exercises?directs you towards a full length research article Checklists to evaluate specific research activities and issues Summary of key concepts, including an overview of how research is created Full Glossary Practical advice for finding research, reading it critically, and strengthening research skills Learning Objectives Key Terms Evidence-based practice infused throughout text Separate Chapters on both ethics and legal issues Engaging, conversational style Uses evidence-based practice, research translation, research utilization, integrative review, and systematic reviews. Companion Web Site Enhances the Learning Experience with an online Environment Packed with Resources for students and Instructors. About The Author Janet Houser, PhD, RN-Academic Dean, Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, Regis University, Denver, Colorado Dr. Houser is the Academic Dean of the Rueckert Hartman College for Health Professions at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. She has a BSN, an MSN in Maternal-Child Health, an MS in healthcare administration, and a PhD in applied statistics and research methods. She has taught nurses, administration, and physical therapy students from undergraduate through doctoral level, primarily in the subjects of biostatistics and quantitative methods. Dr. Houser spent 20 years in health care administration with the Mercy Health System. Her last position was as Regional Administrator for Professional Practice for Mercy Health Partners in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was responsible for professional practice and clinical research in 29 facilities. During her tenure with MHP, she implemented evidence-based practice as a basis for the procedure manuals and system-wide care delivery policies, a shared governance model, and a collaborative care delivery system. Currently, Dr. Houser?s research agenda is focused on the association of nurse autonomy and outcomes. Dr. Houser has published three books, Clinical Research in Practice: A Guide for the Bedside Scientist (Jones and Bartlett, 2007) , Nursing Research: Reading, Using, and Creating Evidence (Jones and Bartlett, 2008), and Evidence-Based Practice: An Implementation Guide (Jones and Bartlett, 2010) and has more than 30 publications in journals and books. She has presented her research at regional, national and international conferences. She also manages a consulting firm, Abacus Systems, which specializes in biostatistical research analysis, developing measurement systems, and implementing evidence-based models of care delivery. Table of Contents PART I: AN INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH Chapter 1: The Importance of Research as Evidence in Nursing Chapter 2: The Research Process and Ways of Knowing Chapter 3: Ethical Considerations in Research Chapter 4: Legal and Regulatory Considerations PART II: PLANNING FOR RESEARCH Chapter 5: Finding Problems and Writing Questions Chapter 6: The Successful Literature Review Chapter 7: Theoretical Frameworks Chapter 8: Selecting an Appropriate Research Design PART III: RESEARCH PROCESS Chapter 9: The Sampling Strategy Chapter 10: Measurement Strategies Chapter 11: Data Collection Methods Chapter 12: Enhancing the Validity of Research PART IV: RESEARCH PROCESSES THAT DESCRIBE POPULATIONS Chapter 13: Descriptive Research Questions and Procedures Chapter 14: Summarizing and Reporting Descriptive Data PART V: RESEARCH THAT MEASURES EFFECTIVENESS Chapter 15: Quantitative Research Questions and Procedures Chapter 16: Analysis and Reporting of Quantitative Data PART VI: RESEARCH THAT DESCRIBES THE MEANING OF THE PATIENT?S EXPERIENCE Chapter 17: Qualitative Research Questions and Procedures Chapter 18: Analyzing and Reporting Qualitative Results PART VII: THE USE OF RESEARCH AS EVIDENCE Chapter 19: Communicating Research Findings Chapter 20: Translating Research into Practice