Research Proposal: Part 1 Instructions

Background, Significance, and Research Hypothesis/Question(s)

The information you provide in this assignment would typically serve as the first part of a research proposal. Therefore, you will first need to clearly identify the research topic for this proposal, and then expound on your topic by providing background information along with a scholarly explanation as to its significance and contribution to nursing research. This part of the proposal must also include a hypothesis and/or research question(s). Your research proposal does NOT need to include a research hypothesis, but in the absence of a hypothesis your research question(s) must be clearly defined.

The research question or hypothesis must include the key concepts/variables that you are interested in studying. In addition, the group/population of interest must be included in the research question or hypothesis. The following is an example of a research question:

“Do pregnant women who are obese develop more obstetric complications than pregnant women who are of normal body weight?”

The key variables are:

(1) Obesity status, which is the independent variable or “cause;” and

(2) Obstetric complications, which is the dependent variable or “effect.”

The population of interest is pregnant women.

The purpose of this research question is to determine if there is a relationship between obesity status and obstetrical complications. Weight status needs to be defined.

How would the researcher determine the obesity status of the subjects? Also, what is meant by “obstetrical complications?” How will the researcher determine who experiences obstetrical complications. How will complications be measured?

Sometimes, research questions do not have specific independent and dependent variables. For example, the research question, “How knowledgeable are 18-year-old females regarding breast self-exam?” does not include clear cut independent and dependent variables. It would be more appropriate to define variables of interest, (1) knowledge: define knowledge; how will you determine if subjects are knowledgeable? And, (2) breast self-exam: define what is meant by breast self-exam.

A research hypothesis MUST include an independent variable (cause) and a dependent variable (the outcome or effect). If an experimental or quasi-experimental design is used, the independent variable MUST be manipulated. An experimental approach calls for manipulation of some kind of treatment or intervention. Describe your intervention in either this section (you can briefly describe it in the body of the proposal, then include a more detailed explanation in an appendix), or you can include this information in the research design section of the proposal. Be sure to clearly identify the independent and dependent variables, and discuss how you will operationalize or “measure” them.

Note: When considering a research topic, select something that has not already been overly studied in the research literature. It must either add something completely new to the body of knowledge, or build upon an existing study in a way that provides fresh ideas to nursing research and patient care. Your instructor must be supportive of your research proposal idea/topic before you can complete Part 2 of the Research Proposal, so feel free to run your idea by your professor if you believe it would be helpful. Past work-related research studies are not appropriate for this assignment. In addition, always review the grading rubric in advance of completing your assignment to ensure you have addressed all of the required elements.

This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 3.