Creating Research Teams

Q: Why participate in the research process?

a) To improve patient care processes and outcomes.
b) To progress on the Clinical Ladder.
c) To pursue professional development opportunities, including abstract presentations and publications.

A: All of the above!

Getting Started

The first reason to participate in clinical research is to identify car strategies and interventions that improve patient care and patient care outcomes. That is, every time we inquire about clinical practice, investigate using research, and then use those answers to inform care, we generate evidence that improves care. This process is referred to as the cycle of evidence and it is at the heart of the “patient care-research relationship.”

The purpose of clinical nursing research is to inquire, investigate, and inform patient care. We inquire each time we ask, “Why do we do it this way?” Each time a new product surfaces, and we ask ‘is it really better, or is it only “glitzier” ‘? Each time nurses come into a new environment with a fresh perspective and question the rationale for routines and practice standards, we are inquiring. We inquire based on what we know, what we read, and what we have experienced. When we use research processes to inquire, we inquire more effectively.

Another purpose in research is to investigate solutions. By doing research to answer clinical questions, nurses generate solid, science-based answers. Investigating clinical questions through the research process also requires using existing research. A study that answers one question, generally leads to another question, which generates further research. This circular process for investigation results in a stronger foundation for practice because a body of science is built around the topic or clinical question.

A third purpose of clinical nursing research is to inform practice. To “inform” is to use research for providing information that improves the care we deliver to patients every day. Research informs our practice by helping clinicians understand how, when, and why nursing interventions benefit the patient, and what interventions might be more beneficial than others.

Who Should Be On a Research Team?

Who should be on a research team? Anyone interested and willing to contribute time to the project, either for personal development, to achieve clinical ladder objectives, or simply to advance the science we use in caring for patients. Everyone on the team is important, and the roles and responsibilities vary depending on the size of your team. Some of the opportunities to participate include:

1. Team Leader/Principal Investigator
   • Establishing the meeting schedule and timeline, in conjunction with the group
   • Running the meetings
   • Delegation of work assignments
   • Oversight of the research process
2. Staff Nurse Participant
   • Patient consent, screening and enrollment
   • Data collection
   • Monitoring of data collected to ensure completeness and reliability of the data
   • Facilitating mechanisms for communication
   • Writing and editing the protocol
   • Training data collectors
   • Participation in presentation of study results
3. Administrative Staff
   • Creation of forms for consent and data collection
   • Assembly of enrollment packets
   • Oversight of supply/data form availability throughout the study

Finding Resources

Find outside resources:

• Navigating CRSO new investigator workshop
• Getting through the IRB certification modules
• Collating and distributing results from brainstorming research study topics or clinical questions

Use your team resources:

• Committing to meeting attendance and participation
• Making sure IRB certification modules are complete!
• Regularly reading your team minutes and responding to team email