A beginner’s guide to research

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the research process and highlight some of the most important aspects. The definition of research and some general terminology are reviewed. Included in this article are discussions of the following: Defining a problem, reviewing the literature, types of study designs, sampling, types of measurement, reliability and validity, limitations and assumptions, data analysis, ethical concerns with human subjects, and time management. Examples of published research are used to illustrate the points where necessary. A supplemental bibliography is provided to direct the interested reader to more in-depth discussions of the various aspects of the research process. © 1990 by the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates.