A Nurse's Step by-Step Guide to Writing a Dissertation or Scholarly Project

201 Pages·2018·13.24 MB·English

by  Karen Roush

Praise for the second edition of A Nurse’s Step-By-Step
Guide to Writing a Dissertation or Scholarly Project
“Karen Roush provides a comprehensive and insightful framework for writ-
ing a dissertation (traditional or manuscript option) or a scholarly project. The
book guides the reader with specific directions on how best to begin, develop, and
complete the various parts of a dissertation. Whether you need lessons in scientific
writing or sequential steps in organizing your dissertation or project, know that
Roush has written a book that deconstructs the complexities, chaos, and craft of
writing. She has provided the remedy to sleepless nights and blank pages on the
computer screen by offering this book as a real solution.”
–Donna M. Nickitas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CNE, FNAP, FAAN
Dean and Professor, Rutgers School of Nursing—Camden
“A Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Dissertation or Scholarly
Project, Second Edition, is a straightforward resource for students as they proceed
through their scholarly work. Writing in an easy conversational style, Karen
Roush provides specific guidance for completing each chapter of the dissertation
or scholarly project. Her skill and passion for writing show throughout. The new
chapter on writing manuscripts is a great addition. The book is a valuable tool for
both students and faculty.”
–Eleanor T. Campbell, EdD, RN, FAAM
Associate Professor, Nursing Lehman College
Graduate Center of the City University of New York
“This book is a clearly written, comprehensive guide with practical advice for
any doctoral student preparing to write a dissertation or scholarly project. The
content is contemporary, with easy-to-understand examples that help highlight the
main points. The questions embedded in each chapter skillfully guide the student
through the writing process. I will recommend this book to all of my doctoral
students.”
–Kristen Sethares, PhD, RN, CNE, FAHA
Professor of Nursing, PhD Graduate Program Director
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
“Dr. Roush offers a timely, practical, and all-inclusive writing guide for doctoral
students that provides valuable, easily applied information about writing the
dissertation or scholarly project for academic and, ultimately, publication purposes.
The format of the book promotes understanding of the complementary nature of
the scholarly work undertaken by students in both research- and practice-focused
doctoral programs. I applaud the unifying approach employed by the author.”
–Mary Jo Vetter, DNP, RN, AGPCNP-BC
Director, DNP Program, Clinical Associate Professor
Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University
“Roush’s triumph in her quest as writing mentor is sustained in this second
edition. She has further streamlined the process for the most daunting of all
graduate student research projects. This guide concisely outlines elements of
chapters, integrates crucial tips for formatting and for preventing common er-
rors, and, most notably, eliminates the mystery of the construction of a disser-
tation or scholarly project, often the greatest obstacle to writing advancement.
A Nurse’s Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Dissertation or Scholarly
Project is a required text for doctoral nursing students whom I mentor.”
–Donna Rolin, PhD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC
Associate Professor, Director of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program
University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing
First Edition Praise
“Finally, there is a clear, step-by-step guide for students—and faculty—on writing
dissertations and scholarly projects. From the introduction that covers how to use
the book to the practical review of basic (but sorely needed) writing skills at the
end, Roush coaches readers through the scholarly writing process in an engaging,
conversational style. I hope this book finds its way into the hands of anyone seeking
to write a scholarly paper. It’s certainly a resource I will be recommending.”
–Maureen Shawn Kennedy, MA, RN, FAAN
Editor in Chief, American Journal of Nursing
“Roush’s work has taken the mystery and confusion out of the often dreaded and
frequently feared experience of writing a dissertation. In a clear, reader-friendly,
engaging, and thorough manner, she has laid out an extremely helpful guide
for those whose academic journey requires completion of this last step toward the
prize. I commend both her and the work, and know that I will recommend it to
doctoral students with whom I work.”
–Donna Sabella, PhD, MEd, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC
Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Nursing
“Drawing on years of experience as editorial director and clinical managing
editor, Roush provides a practical guide to the often overwhelming process of putting
ideas succinctly on paper. With the help of many detailed examples, the author
shows how each step can be confronted and completed efficiently in good time.”
–Wendy C. Budin, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN
Professor and Associate Dean, Rutgers University School of Nursing
“The next generation of nurses to set off on that long, lonely quest of the finished
dissertation or scholarly project will surely declare Karen Roush’s new guidebook
indispensable. Roush provides steps to success in a voice that is clear, straight-
forward, and unflappable. No doubt her readers will embrace this book—first page
to last—as the trusted companion that saw them through.”
–Madeleine Mysko, MA, RN
Contributing Editor, American Journal of Nursing
“A Nurse’s Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Dissertation or Scholarly
Project gives practical guidance in a voice that seems at once trustworthy and
wise. That’s because Roush knows writing from every angle: as an editor, a nurs-
ing professor, and a writer of works both scholarly and creative. This book will
prove itself essential for any nurse pursuing the PhD or DNP.”
–Joy Jacobson, MFA Adjunct Faculty, Hunter–Bellevue School of Nursing
Poet-in-Residence, Center for Health, Media, and Policy, Hunter College
WRITING A
DISSERTATION
“This book is a must-read for all doctoral students as they embark on their indepen-
dent project as the last requirement for their degree. This is a well-written primer
of practical advice on how to organize, stay focused, and most importantly, complete
OR SCHOLARLY
the project. This is the sage advice a student will rarely receive in the classroom or
from faculty. I highly recommend this key resource to all doctoral students and their
faculties.”
PROJECT
–Jane Barnsteiner, PhD, RN, FAAN
Emeritus Professor, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania
“A Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Dissertation or Scholarly
Project is a ‘must-have’ for all PhD and DNP scholars. The checklists, tips,
examples, and resource lists are invaluable tools for success!”
–Darlene J. Curley, MS, RN, FAAN
Executive Director, Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans Healthcare
A NURSE’S
STEP BY STEP
GUIDE TO
WRITING A
DISSERTATION
OR SCHOLARLY
PROJECT
SECOND EDITION
KAREN ROUSH, PhD, APN
Copyright © 2019 by Sigma Theta Tau International
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ISBN: 9781948057127
EPUB ISBN: 9781948057134
PDF ISBN: 9781948057141
MOBI ISBN: 9781948057158
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data
Names: Roush, Karen, author. | Sigma Theta Tau International, issuing body.
Title: A nurse’s step-by-step guide to writing a dissertation or scholarly
project / by Karen Roush.
Other titles: Nurse’s step-by-step guide to writing your dissertation or
capstone
Description: Second edition. | Indianapolis, IN : Sigma Theta Tau
International Honor Society of Nursing, [2019] | Preceded by A nurse’s
step-by-step guide to writing your dissertation or capstone / Karen Roush.
2015. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018043049 (print) | LCCN 2018043834 (ebook) | ISBN
9781948057134 (epub) | ISBN 9781948057141 (pdf) | ISBN 9781948057158 (
Mobi/Amazon) | ISBN 9781948057127 (softcover) | ISBN 9781948057158 (mobi)
Subjects: | MESH: Education, Nursing--methods | Writing | Nursing
Research--standards | Academic Dissertations as Topic | Manuscripts as
Topic | Review Literature as Topic
Classification: LCC RT73 (ebook) | LCC RT73 (print) | NLM WY 18.2 | DDC
610.73071/1--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018043049
______________________________________________________________________________________________
First Printing, 2018
Publisher: Dustin Sullivan Managing Editor: Carla Hall
Acquisitions Editor: Emily Hatch Project Editor: Todd Lothery
Copy Editor: Todd Lothery Proofreader: Gill Editorial Services
Cover Designer: Rebecca Batchelor Indexer: Larry D. Sweazy
Interior Design/Page Layout: Rebecca Batchelor
Dedication
This book is dedicated to the upcoming cohorts of doctoral
nursing students who will carry the science forward and improve
healthcare for all of us.
About the Author
Karen Roush, PhD, APN, is Assistant Professor of Nursing at
the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in Dartmouth, Mas-
sachusetts, where she teaches in the PhD and DNP programs and
conducts research in doctoral education. She received her PhD
in nursing research and theory development from the College of
Nursing at New York University. She started her nursing education
with an associate degree in nursing from Adirondack Community
College in 1982, went on for her BSN at Russell Sage College,
and then earned a master’s degree at Columbia University in 1996,
where she specialized as a family nurse practitioner.
Roush served for many years as Editorial Director and Clinical
Managing Editor for the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) and
continues her affiliation with the journal as an editorial consultant.
In addition, she is the founder of The Scholar’s Voice, which works
to strengthen the voice of nursing through writing mentorship for
nurses. She is an award-winning writer who has authored multiple
consumer healthcare books, numerous nursing articles in peer-
reviewed journals, essays, and poetry. Roush received the award
for Outstanding Doctoral Graduate at NYU College of Nursing
in 2014 and the Fred Schmidt Award for Humanitarian Focused
Research in 2011. She has traveled to Rwanda, Uganda, and India
as a nursing volunteer and taught nursing students in Ghana. In
addition, she was a visiting scholar in the Department of Human
Resources for Health at the World Health Organization in Ge-
neva, Switzerland.
Table of Contents
About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
1 Writing Your Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
You’ve Already Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Creating an Outline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Writing the Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Purpose Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
PICOT Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Your Plan (Methodology) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Research Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Checking That You’ve Covered Your Purpose Statement . . . . . 17
2 Writing Your Literature Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Begin With an Overview and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Explaining Your Theoretical Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Explaining Your Search Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Critically Appraising the Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Synthesizing Your Literature Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Summary and Research Gaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Purpose Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Research Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Appraisal Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
3 Writing Your Methodology Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Explaining the Design of Your Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Establishing Your Study’s Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Establishing Your Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Ethical Considerations and Consent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Scholarly Project Planning and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Data Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Rigor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71