3 Credits

This is the initial course in the research sequence of the Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program and builds on the student’s knowledge and experience in research with the emphasis on clinical application, using a variety of models. The diverse levels of preparation among the students will be addressed with a review of qualitative and quantitative methods including problem identification, levels of research, design, data collection, and strategies for analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data. This content is the foundation for the discussion of a variety of research models and designs used for specific purposes.

“The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice,” formulated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) (2006), has identified specific research and evaluation competencies for nurses prepared in DNP programs. In order to build the foundation for evidence-based practice, this document states that DNP graduates must be prepared with the knowledge and research skills to design and implement clinical research and quality improvement projects that evaluate health care services to facilitate the analysis of outcomes of both practice and health care systems. DNP clinicians are expected to lead, design, and implement research and quality improvement projects.