Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

The student
- is able to describe the scientific research process in nursing research
- is able to distinguish the quantitative and qualitative approaches from each other
- is able to choose the proper data collection and analysis methods for each approach
- is able to assess the ethical principles of scientific research
- identifies the scientific challenges in nursing and perceives solutions for them
- is able to choose and delimit the thesis topic supporting his/her own learning and working life
- is able to explain his/her own choices with scientific arguments
- is able to independently seek data for the theoretical basis of the thesis
- is able to make a thesis plan in accordance with the instructions and to explain his/her choices and topic limitations
- is able to name main information sources in his/her field and systematically search for information on his/her topic
- is able to critically evaluate information and use it ethically in his/her thesis and in working life after his/her studies.

Content (course unit)

Nursing research
- recent studies in nursing science
- research ethics
- steps of the study process
- empirical research: quantitative, qualitative
- theoretical research
- data collection and analysis methods and their use

Statistics
- basics of SPSS
- use of the e-form editor — making an electronic questionnaire
- measuring scales
- description of statistical data
- basics of processing and reporting data

Orientation to the Bachelor’s Thesis
- projects in the bachelor’s thesis
- choosing and delimiting the topic for the bachelor’s thesis
- process of the bachelor’s thesis
- working life connection
- analysis tasks
- the bachelor’s thesis plan

Prerequisites (course unit)

The student has completed three supervised clinical practices in nursing and participated in the course on Nursing Science in Past and Today.

Assessment criteria, pass/fail (course unit)

Pass
The student
- is able to seek information on the topic of his / her thesis
- can identify the different aspects of previous studies
- is able to describe the research process
- knows the principles of quantitative, qualitative and theoretical research
- can identify the basics of statistics
- utilises the guidance and literature in the preparation of the thesis plan

Fail
The student
- does not know the stages of the research process
- cannot identify the different aspects of previous studies
- does not have knowledge of research methods
- cannot explain the basics of statistics
- has not utilized guidance and literature in the preparation of the thesis plan

Location and time

All contact lessons and online sessions are mandatory. Please see 20NURSE schedule for the details.

Moodle platform: BT process in DPN with WIHI (key provided in mandatory Orientation)

- Nursing Research week 34
- Orientation 1 and 2
- Topic workshop on Zoom by appointments via wiki (BT Moodle)
-Health statistics course online and test by 1 October
- Topic suggestion to WIHI by 25 August
- data search workshop 27.9. ( by information specialist) (see20NURSE schedule)
-Idea seminar week 35
- working life meeting
- Tutorial with the thesis advisor
-BT plan seminar week 2/2023


See TAMK Intra: TAMK's student guide > Student's handbook > Thesis at TAMK
https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/tamk?page=3104

Exam schedules

Independent orientation to the bachelor's thesis process
Nursing research exam is open 17.10.-31.10. on the Exam-system to be taken in the exam area of TAMK. (retake I in November, Retake II in December)
Data search: orientation video and task, class online / at school, completing data search task ( instructions from information specialist) by the due date
Health Statistics: Exam -test (due date 1.10.22)
Bachelor's thesis plan in January 2023: submitted before the tutorial.
Independent work: includes orientation, choosing and limiting the topic, writing the plan, and participating in the guidance tutorial.

Assessment methods and criteria

Please see the evaluation criteria for the bachelor's thesis.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, tasks, online learning, tutorials for the thesis work, workshops, independent and team work.
Nursing Research: test based on literature
Data search: Doing a data search and prepartory tasks and attending to an online class.
Statistics: online- Moodle course and EXAM-test

Learning materials

Boswell, C., & Cannon, S. (2020). Introduction to nursing research : incorporating evidence-based practice (Fifth edition). Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.

Fain, J. A. (2017) Reading, understanding, and applying nursing research. Fifth edition. Phliadelphia: F. A. Davis Company.

https://andor.tuni.fi/permalink/358FIN_TAMPO/1kfmqvo/alma998040296905973

Parahoo, K. (2014). Nursing research: principles, process and issues (3. ed. or any other edition). Palgrave Macmillan.

Lubbe, W., Ham-Baloyi, W. & Smit, K. (2020). The integrative literature review as a research method: A demonstration review of research on neurodevelopmental supportive care in preterm infants. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 26(6), 308-315. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2020.04.006

Polit, D., & Beck, C. (2010). ESSENTIALS OF NURSING RESEARCH (7th ed., or any other edition). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

A variety of other research articles appointed by the lecturer.
Additional reading:
Jämsä, U. 2014. Kuntoutuksen muutosagentit. Tutkimus työelämälähtöisestä oppimisesta ylemmässä ammattikorkeakoulutuksessa. Acta Universitatis Ouluensis D Medica 1252. (toiminnalliseen)
• Toikko, T. & Rantanen, T. 2009. Tutkimuksellinen kehittämistoiminta. Tampere: Tampereen yliopistopaino oy. (toiminnalliseen)
• Tuomi, J., Sarajärvi, Anneli 2018. Laadullinen tutkimmus ja sisällönanalyysi. Tammi.
• Tietoarkiston tutkimusmenetelmien verkkokäsikirja: https://www.fsd.tuni.fi/fi/palvelut/menetelmaopetus/
• Isojärvi J. 2011. Tutkimuskysymyksestä hakustrategiaksi: PICO-asetelma informaatikon työkaluna. Osaamisen ytimessä – tietoaineistot tutuiksi. BMF ry:n kevätseminaari 13.4.2011 Kuopio. Viitattu 5.3.2021. Saatavana: https://bmfry.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/pico-asetelma-informaatikon-tyc3b6kaluna.pdf
Eriksson, K. et al. 2012. Hoitotiede. 4. uud. p. Helsinki: Sanoma Pro.
• Kankkunen, P. & Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K. 2013. Tutkimus hoitotieteessä. 3. uud. p. Helsinki: Sanoma Pro.
• Kylmä, J. & Juvakka, T. 2007. Laadullinen terveystutkimus. Helsinki: Edita.
• Lauri, S. & Kyngäs, H. 2005. Hoitotieteen teorian kehittäminen. Porvoo: WSOY.
• Hirsjärvi, S., Remes, P., Sajavaara, P. & Sinivuori, E. 2009. Tutki ja kirjoita. 15. uud. p. Helsinki: Tammi.
• Heikkilä, A. Jokinen, P., Nurmela, T. 2008. Tutkiva kehittäminen: avaimia tutkimus- ja kehittämishankkeisiin terveysalalla. WSOY.
• Heikkinen, H., Rovio, E., Syrjälä, L. 2006. Toiminnasta tietoon: toimintatutkimuksen menetelmät ja lähestymistavat. Kansanvalistusseura.
• Kirjallisuuskatsaus hoitotieteessä. 2016. Toim. M. Stolt, A. Axelin, R. Suhonen. Turku: Turun yliopisto Hoitotieteen laitoksen julkaisuja. Tutkimuksia ja raportteja. Sarja A.
• Vilkka, H. & Airaksinen, T. 2003. Toiminnallinen opinnäytetyö . Helsinki: Tammi. (toiminnalliseen)
• Vilkka, H. 2020. Akateemisen lukemisen ja kirjoittamisen opas. Jyväskylä: PS-kustannus.
https://andor.tuni.fi/permalink/358FIN_TAMPO/1kfmqvo/alma9911131569305973
• Vilkka, H. 2015. Tutki ja kehitä. 4. uud. p. Jyväskylä: PS-kustannus

Student workload

135 hours

Completion alternatives

Credit transfer (5-10 credits) is possible based on earlier bachelor's or master's thesis. Please see the instructions from BT Moodle. Contact Pia Keiski, if applicable.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Each thesis will be written in collaboration with a working life connection. The contact person will be appointed by TAMK.

Further information

Prerequisites are: Nursing Science in Past and Today-course participation, studies progressed with 20nurse, 50 ects, and 3 clinical trainings.

Bachelor's thesis, descriptive literature review, is written with a pair or in a group of three students.