Why Nursing Research Methodology Matters in Modern Care

Overview of Nursing Research

There is a certain expectation within any academic field that there will be continuous research and development in order to keep the scholarship and expertise up to date within that discipline. This is especially true in the medical field, where sometimes the research is far removed from the actual practical needs of staff and patients. In this context, the modern nurse performs a very critical role: that of helping drive the intellectual development of the medical field forward while, at the same time, focusing on the more practical and implementable aspects of research and development.

The idea of research can be daunting to anyone, and the idea of taking courses on research methodologies even more so. Nursing research is a two-way academic communication — it results from data that comes from the ground up, but it must be processed by those who have the expertise and time to perform the proper steps within acceptable methodology. In the field of contemporary medical care, particularly physician and nursing practice, there are five major reasons why more than a cursory knowledge of research and research methodology is essential for a professional career: the expectation of a level of academic proficiency; the ability to understand and communicate complex terminology to multiple stakeholders; an understanding of the research process so that new materials are comprehensible as they become available; the possibility of conducting research or pursuing further interest in specific subject matter; and, finally, the essential need to remain cognizant of contemporary medical developments.

Research and the Contemporary Nursing Model

The modern nurse is expected to have a certain level of medical expertise that goes beyond simple care and advocacy. The nurse is expected to understand complex physiological relationships, pharmacology, and to possess a degree of academic expertise that elevates the field to a higher standard. As the medical world becomes more complex, the bar rises throughout the profession, and as the level just below the physician, the nurse must exert a higher level of cerebral knowledge in balance with compassionate care.

As the complex nature of the medical world continues to expand, there must be a level within personalized medical care that has the time and ability to explain complex matters to the patient and the patient's family. Without exposure to research and research methodologies, the contemporary nurse would be unable to meet that standard of academic excellence. This is especially true given that the nurse must be conversant with the doctor and the specialist, while still understanding the overall medical paradigm well enough to communicate effectively with all levels of stakeholders.

Since new materials are produced faster than anyone could possibly keep up with — via journals, the Internet, conferences, and other outlets — the ability to quickly scan and glean information from complex materials is essential. Without a background in research, this process would be cumbersome and take far more time than the beneficial outcome would justify.