Page 54 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

B

States. This educational path is used more
Basic ReseaRch often in countries where doctoral programs
in nursing are not available. Another link
between the basic sciences and nursing has
Basic research includes all forms of scholarly evolved as a result of doctoral students in
inquiry for the purpose of demonstrating nursing pursuing a graduate minor in a basic
the existence or elucidation of phenomena. science or a postdoctoral fellowship in a basic
Basic research is conducted without intent science. These basic research programs for
to address specific problems or real-world nurses with doctoral degrees in nursing are
application of knowledge. As a discipline and facilitated by nurses with doctoral degrees
a science, nursing is informed by knowledge in basic research disciplines. Nurse research-
from basic and applied research, and nurs- ers often engage in basic research to generate
ing disciplinary knowledge is integrated into knowledge that may lead to new perspectives
the broader context of the whole of human for applied research in nursing.
knowledge.
The origins of nursing research trace Sue K. Donaldson
back to Florence Nightingale. Over time, the
majority of the scholarly work is best catego-
rized as applied rather than basic research
in that nursing research has been con- BehavioRal ReseaRch
ducted for the primary purpose of solving
problems related to human health. Nursing
seeks knowledge from the perspective of the An examination of behavioral research is
human experience of health. Human percep- best begun by examining what it is and dif-
tions and experiences of health are studied ferentiating it from related areas of research.
with the intent to generate knowledge to Behavioral research within nursing generally
solve problems through nursing care and refers to the study of health-related behaviors
practice. of persons. Studies may include the following
There is a cadre of nurses who were areas: (a) health-promoting behaviors such as
doctorally prepared in the basic sciences, exercise, diet, immunization, and smoking
both social and biological, as part of the cessation; (b) screening behaviors such as
U.S. Public Health Service Nurse Scientist mammography, breast self-examination, and
Training Program from 1962 until the late prostate examinations; and (c) therapeutic
1970s. Nurses with doctoral degrees in basic behaviors such as adherence to a treatment
sciences were prepared to contribute as basic regimen, blood glucose monitoring, partic-
researchers, and then they adapted their ipation in cardiac rehabilitation programs,
knowledge and skills to conduct nursing and treatment-related appointment keep-
research. Despite the growing number and ing. The research spans medical and psychi-
popularity of doctoral programs in nursing, atric populations. It is directed toward an
small numbers of nurses continue to pursue understanding of the nature of behavior and
degrees in the basic sciences in the United health relationships and to the modification