What This Document Is
This is a comprehensive study guide for NUR 302: Ways of Knowing Nursing Research, offered at Lehman College. It’s designed to help students review key concepts and prepare for coursework related to nursing research methodologies and evidence-based practice. The guide consolidates core ideas from the course into a focused resource.
Why This Document Matters
This study guide is essential for nursing students enrolled in NUR 302. It’s particularly useful during exam preparation, for clarifying complex research paradigms, and for understanding the importance of evidence-based practice in modern nursing. It exists to support learning and improve performance in this foundational nursing research course.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This study guide is a *review* tool, not a replacement for attending lectures, completing assigned readings, or engaging with course materials. It provides a condensed overview and does not offer in-depth explanations or original research examples. It won’t substitute for a thorough understanding of the course content.
What This Document Provides
This study guide includes:
* Definitions of key terms like “research,” “evidence-based practice,” and “paradigm.”
* An overview of positivist and constructivist research paradigms, including their core beliefs and characteristics.
* A comparison of quantitative (QT) and qualitative (QLT) research methods.
* Discussion of the sources of evidence used in nursing practice, contrasting research with tradition and personal experience.
* Sample questions and answers related to clinical significance and reliable knowledge acquisition.
* An outline of the purposes of nursing research, including identification, description, and more.
This preview *does not* include the full range of topics covered in the complete study guide, nor does it contain all practice questions or detailed explanations. It offers a representative sample of the content.