Motivating Online Students to Engage in Research and Evidence-Based Practice Mary Boyd PhD, RN Vera Polyakova Norwood MEd College of Nursing University of South Carolina Graduate Nursing Programs at the University of South Carolina MSN and DNP degrees and NP certificate program are delivered primarily online PhD degree is being adapted for online delivery Course Objectives: 1. Discuss influencing factors and common trends in nursing research activities in the last 30 years. 2. Identifyy the impact p of ethical moral factors on questions q studied, designs used in nursing research, and functions of the nurse related to research. 3. Formulate a researchable nursing problem (health problem), develop a research question or hypothesis based on an abbreviated literature review, develop a study conceptual framework and identify an appropriate design and statistical methods of analyses. 1
Who are the students? MSN and DNP students Different generations Geographically dispersed Work full time or part time Varying levels of professional experience Multiple family responsibilities Fall 2008: 30 students Fall 2009: 33 students Teaching research: Challenges Students Attitudes: Very hard to understand Boring Not practical Takes away from clinical courses No prior experience with this content What can we do? Authentic learning focuses on real world complex problems and their solutions, using role play exercises, problem based activities, case studies and participation in communities of practice. (Lombardi, 2007, p.2) 2
Authentic learning provides motivation to persevere Authentic learning settings appear to be able to provide support in the initial stages of learning, enabling students to experience a suspension of disbelief, and through these means to be encouraged to persevere with their learning through initial difficulties. (Herrington, J., Oliver R., & Reeves, T. C., 2003) Course project: Learning objectives To demonstrate understanding of the nursing research process and acquire skills in reviewing research literature, developing research questions or hypotheses, selecting an appropriate design and statistical methods of analyses. Develop skills for discussing research with the general public. Course project: Activities Write a mini research proposal Develop a multimedia on a topic suggested by one of presentation Best tproposal about li is funded your d by b the local health agencies proposal for the staff instructor nurses in health care organizations Best Multimedia Presentation is selected by the students 3
Research topics suggested by local hospitals Effects on infection rates with hospital versus home laundered scrubs Use of music to reduce pain and anxiety during arterial femoral sheath removal and subsequent bed rest Do organized exercise programs for nurses reduce employee healthcare cost? Proposal writing process Step 1: Step 2: Problem Statement Purpose, significance, Step 3: framework Variables, objectives, Step 4: hypotheses Step 5: Study design d i and d Framework, conceptual rationale Step 6: map, lit Step review 7: Design, sample, sampling Design, sample, sampling procedure procedure, instruments, Step 8: protocol Complete Proposal Writing using feedback Step 1: Problem statement Step 2: Purpose, significance, framework Step 3: Variables, objectives, hypotheses feedback feedback feedback 4
What kind of feedback? Written feedback may be Very intimidating Hard to understand Audio Feedback Found More Effective More effective than text based feedback for conveying nuance; Increased retention of content; Perception that the instructor cared more about the student; Increased willingness to apply content; Increased the level at which students applied such content. (Ice, Curtis, Phillips, & Wells, 2007) Selecting technologies Adobe Connect Blackboard 5
Supportive learning environment Course Weekly Guides Readings Multimedia lectures Study questions Learning activities Examples of writing Self study quizzes Assignments due dates Links to resources Technology guides and technical support 6
Getting started Week 1 Activities Explore the course site Read the Syllabus Introduce yourself to the Class Meet tyour Team Write a Team Contract Develop a Team Wiki Sign up for a Leadership Term Assess your own research competencies Research Teams Organizing the team process Team Contract We, members of Team, agree upon the following norms for our collaborative work process in NURS 790: Communication and Collaboration Norms Technology Related Issues Conflict Management Strategies Quality of Deliverables 7
How does a real research proposal look like? Tools for collaborative writing Consultations with the instructor I will hold live online meetings with each research team to guide and assist you with your research proposals. Well, that was COOL Nice to see & hear everybody. She said Thanks for all you all are doing. She reiterated how impressed she was about how well things were thought out, etc. There's lots to be proud of. 8
Consultation with the statistician We had a very productive meeting with Dr. Tavakoli today. He likes what we have done so far and agrees that we should make Dr. Boyd s suggestions on Assignment 2. He thinks our purpose and specific p aim look good g and that our hypotheses are workable and good. Here are the rest of his suggestions: Challenges: Proposal writing is an iterative process Step 1: Problem statement Step 2: Purpose, significance, framework Step 3: Variables, objectives, hypotheses feedback feedback feedback Student feedback at midterm 21 responses I really like the video feedback from all of the assignments. 9
Research proposals completed! Dr. Boyd reviewed for the final time and everything is ok. I have made the changes. I will submit when you all agree. Yippee!!! I havereviewed and the proposal looks very professional. The group has done a great job preparing this! Thanks to all. Thanks, Ellen for the final edit. Good to go! Thanks to everyone now on to a successful wiki Presenting proposals to colleagues in practice How effective was this strategy? t t? 10
Please vote and also tell us Did the course assignments increase your Did the course assignments increase your understanding of nursing research? understanding of nursing research? Moderately/Greatly 100% Did the course assignments increase your Did the course assignments increase your willingness to engage in research process? willingness to engage in research process? Moderately/Greatly 74% Fall 2008 & 2009: 63 students 54 responses Student perspective I was nervous about this course, but I really enjoyed creating the research proposal. It was a pleasant experience that left me excited about nursing research. Boring! Nurses should only have to take research if they want to. We were forced to take this! Clinical would have taught us more. This course not only taught research skills but organization, leadership and collaboration. Whatever I put into this course I got out of it. Student perspective The amount of work for this course was very high. It should be combined with another class such as theory so that more time can be made for clinical courses. I love the way the class was structured. I never felt overwhelmed, but still feel like I have accomplished a lot! I really learned how to like research! 11
perspective Our next challenge Spring 2010 Graduate Curricula Redesigned Research Methods to Change If it ain t broke, do FIX it. Patterson, 2008 Questions? Comments? 26 th Annual Distance Teaching and Learning Conference Mary Boyd mrboyd@mailbox.sc.edu Vera Polyakova Norwood vnorwood@mailbox.sc.edu August 6, 2010 College of Nursing University of South Carolina 12