Basic Steps in Planning Nursing Research is written as an introduction to the research process and deals solely with the beginning phase of research--the research plan--from question to proposal.  It treats the planning process as an art, and contends that research is only as good as its plan, as a well-conceived plan is of immeasurable assistance throughout the rest of the research process.

• Focuses on the decision making process in planning a research project.

• Provides step-by-step directions for writing research proposals

• Features sample research proposals for ready reference.

Chapter 1. How to Write a Researchable Question
Chapter 2. From Question to Problem
Chapter 3. The Full and Final Research Problem
Chapter 4. Critical Review of the Literature
Chapter 5. Stating the Purpose of the Study
Chapter 6. Defining Your Terms
Chapter 7. The Research Design: Blueprint for Action
Chapter 8. Selecting the Sample
Chapter 9. Selecting a Method to Answer the Question
Chapter 10. Reliability and Validity of Measurement
Chapter 11. Ethics in Nursing Research
Chapter 12. Planning for Analysis of Data
Chapter 13. Writing the Research Proposal 

Appendix: Sample Research Proposals