Enhancing Rigor of Research Studies, Coursework Example

Introduction

Ethical and moral decision making in qualitative research must be universally applied across all studies in order to ensure a fair and equitable set of approaches to facilitate safe and effective results. This process requires nurses at all levels of preparation to be aligned with the principles of the research in question and to be proactive in working towards a set of solutions that will answer relevant and practical questions within a given subject area. Therefore, a high degree of rigor must be established that will positively impact the study and its level of validity (Thomas & Magilvy, 2011).

Body

Regardless of personal religious preference or core values, the basic ethics of nursing practice must be universal across all disciplines because this supports a valid and practical direction for the aims and principles of the research in question. It reflects the importance of recognizing that the cohesive elements of nursing ethics are core to the foundations of research and the studies that are performed (Nardi & Rooda, 2011). Similarly, although moral decision making may be aligned with disease states to some degree, they must be universal in nature, regardless of patient needs because all nurses must exercise the key principles of ethical decision-making within the practice setting at all times (Moser, Houtepen, van der Bruggen, Spreeuwenberg, & Widdershoven, 2009). The authors indicate that there are first and second-order moral capacities, defined as follows: first-order is associated with patient autonomy, and second-order is related to the dimensions of autonomy (Moser et.al, 2009). Based on these conditions, nurses must be able to effectively advocate in a morally sound and reasonable manner to the actions that they undertake and to be proactive in working towards viable solutions to achieve the desired results on a consistent basis, using first- and second-order objectives as necessary (Lecture Seven).

Conclusion

All nurse-led research studies must demonstrate a high level of support and understanding of ethical principles on a universal basis. This will reflect the importance of recognizing the ethical requirements of nurses and in developing a framework for moral decision-making within the nursing environment that is consistent and appropriate for the study in question.

References

Lecture Seven: enhancing rigor of research studies. Pp. 1-5.

Moser, A., Houtepen, R., van der Bruggen, H., Spreeuwenberg, C., & Widdershoven, G. (2009). Autonomous decision making and moral capacities. Nursing Ethics, 16(2), 203-218.

Nardi, D., & Rooda, L. (2011). Spirituality-based nursing practice by nursing students: an exploratory study. Journal of Professional Nursing, 27(4), 255-263.

Thomas, E., & Maglivy, J.K. (2011). Qualitative rigor or research validity in qualitative research. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 16, 151-155.