Chapter 27
Developing a Program of Research
Program of Research
A program of research is a sequential “series of related studies aimed at addressing a particular knowledge gap” of importance to one’s discipline (Pranulis, 1991)
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Program of Research
The opposite approach to deliberately building a program of research would be to conduct a number of discrete, unrelated studies on various topics
This is a more opportunistic, less planned approach to building a research portfolio
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Program of Research
Research trajectory is having a clear path to a long-term goal in mind
This helps to guide your choices and maintain your focus as you build your research career
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Advantages of a Program of Research
Builds expertise in your chosen area of research
Increases the likelihood you will be able to make a substantial contribution to the nursing practice
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Advantages of a Program of Research
Raises the quality of your studies because you will have greater expertise when concentrating on one subject area you know very well
Allows you to see new patterns and connections that lead to new discoveries
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Launching a Program of Research
Choose an area of great interest to you
Be sure the topic is also important to nursing
Consider focusing on a persistent problem
Be willing to drop a line of research that turns out to be a dead end
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Launching a Program of Research
Begin with a small study (this might be a master’s project or doctoral dissertation)
The goal of your first study is to gain new insights into the subject of interest
Continue with a second small or medium-size study building on the first study
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Launching a Program of Research
The second study is often a pilot study used to test your ideas and procedures before launching a larger study
Begin to form a research team including both colleagues and research assistants
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Launching a Program of Research
Become involved in larger, more complex studies, either as the lead investigator or as a co-investigator
Add “branches” to your research now, increasing breadth as well as depth
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Launching a Program of Research
All along, present findings at conferences and publish the results in professional journals
As an established scholar and researcher you will now mentor new researchers, serve as a grant reviewer, or become a consultant
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