Discussion response

Critically analyze current practice to formulate researchable problems.

An important aspect that I have learned in the process is the need to apply logical and critical thinking in finding the most pressing challenges in the clinical, academic, and community settings. To this effect, in the early week of the class, I was able to research the effect of falls which is not only an issue in my area of work but the US and globally. Thus, I was able to focus on the use of enhanced education with the help of the professor as the area of focus in my research paper. Essentially, I have developed more in nursing research based on the explanation, control, and prediction on implementation of the best research in practice. 

Evaluate research as the basis for decision-making to improve outcomes through translation into evidence-based practice. 

One key aspect that I have borrowed largely in the process of nursing research is the realization that not all practices are applicable in the clinical setting. To this effect, we have to rely on the best and most current evidence-based practice as supported in research even as we serve patients. This was an instrumental learning point as I was going through the various research papers that have been done in relation to falls in picking the best practice approach to undertake for my paper. According to Gray & Grove, 2019 the ultimate goal of nursing is an EBP that promotes quality, safe, and cost-effective outcomes for patients, families, healthcare providers, and the healthcare system. Thus I have been able to learn all through the 10 weeks that the best research evidence is that of empirical knowledge as generated from the synthesis of quality health studies in addressing clinical challenges. 

Synthesize an understanding of the research process through the development of a proposal to address a nursing problem or focus area identified in nursing practice.

This was the applicable research developmental stage that we went through in the first three weeks. Thus, through the help of the professor, I was able to holistically understand the research developmental process and the need to focus on a specific innovative idea that would otherwise not strain on my time and resources. It was on this basis that I researched and reached the conclusion that falls in a health care setting has been a problem across the world for generations and have caused injuries, longer inpatient stays, and higher health care costs than necessary. Falls present a huge threat to older adults and the larger society, through health risks, financial, social, psychological, and environmental impacts. 

Investigate ethical issues related to the conduct of scientific research, including informed consent, data management, data analysis, and protection of human subjects.

I was also able to learn that in conducting research, there is a stipulated method to follow where human subjects are involved. This is where ethics come into play in the protection of human subjects and the need for concern on data privacy issues. As such, I was able to learn the fundamental aspect as required by the IRB on the need to provide information to research participants such as the right to self-determination, a description of the study, and what the subjects will be asked to do. There is also the need to inform the participants of the risk involved in the study and the right to withdraw at will. In this context, four key issues need to be factored in thus, disclosure, comprehension, competence, and voluntary agreement. (Gray & Grove, 2019). Data privacy is also an issue especially in the digital age and there is a need to ensure that all participants data are safely stored and guarded against unsafe intrusion. 

Explore national and international initiatives and research priorities.

On this aspect, one key learning point that I was able to learn throughout the course is that there has been research done by reputable organizations as IOM that provided a landing port for the national and international initiatives in research with a clear outline on measures that enhance the quality, cost, and safety of people in the various community settings. Thus teams of expert researchers, healthcare professionals, and sometimes policymakers and consumers synthesize the best research evidence in different areas to develop nationally standardized guidelines for clinical practice. This is also evident in systematic reviews where national and international guidelines in the management of health problems are developed. 

Reference 
Gray, J. R., Grove, S. K., (2019). Burns and Grove’s The Practice of Nursing Research: Appraisal, Synthesis, and Generation of Evidence. Elsevier-Health Sciences Division.