First steps
Research is a fundamental part of advancing nursing and healthcare in general. As a student or nurse, you can contribute to improving clinical practice by identifying knowledge gaps and creating new solutions to health problems.
However, we know that entering the world of research can be intimidating, especially if you have no prior experience or knowledge of how to get started, but don't worry, our goal is to help you overcome the challenges and obstacles that may arise during the research process, allowing you to develop your skills and contribute to the advancement of clinical practice.
In this post, we’ll share valuable tips to help you get started in research. From identifying a topic of interest to presenting your research findings, we’ll provide useful information on how to find experienced advisors, gain theoretical knowledge, and get involved in research projects. With these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to begin your research journey.
1. Identify your area of interest:
Before you begin research, it is important to choose a topic that is meaningful and relevant to you. It is important that research serves a social purpose, but choosing a topic you don't feel invested in can lead you to give up halfway through. Start by thinking about your area of interest or a problem that you would like to solve in practice. Ask yourself:
Once you’ve chosen a topic, do some preliminary research to see if there are any similar studies in your area of interest. This can help you identify where the knowledge gaps are and where there is room for your research.
Still have questions? Here are six tips for finding your topic:
1. Start with what you already know: Reflect on what you already know and where you have experience and interest. Consider how you can apply this knowledge to answer a research question.
2. Consider the needs of the population and social relevance: Think about the needs of the population and how your research can help improve their health and well-being. Consider how your study can have a positive impact on society and public health.
3. Look for inspiration in scientific publications: Read articles and research related to your area of interest to gain ideas and inspiration.
4. Brainstorm: Make a list of topics of interest and potential research questions you would like to explore.
5. Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) wisely: AI can assist you in identifying topics. Through a question and answer system, it can help you explore topics in different areas of Nursing and general health, leading to possible insights for research projects.
6. Take our quiz, clicking here, and find out which research area best suits you, or read our post on 10 hottest topics in scientific publications.
When choosing a topic to study, remember that it is important to choose something that excites you and motivates you to research, as this can help keep you motivated throughout the research process. Additionally, choose a topic that is feasible for your field of expertise and level of experience.
2. Seek guidance:
An important step in the process of conducting scientific research is finding a supervisor. A supervisor can guide you in conducting successful research, help identify knowledge gaps, provide feedback on the research project, and assist in writing scientific articles.
A good advisor can also help you understand the research process better, which is especially important if you are new to the field. They can help you learn how to formulate relevant research questions, choose the most appropriate method, understand how to analyze results and interpret findings, and assist you in identifying and overcoming potential problems that may arise during the course of your research.
To find a mentor, it is important to research professors and health professionals who have experience in your area of interest. You can do this through online research, by looking for published articles, consulting their academic profiles, checking the faculty at your institution, or participating in research groups, as will be further detailed in the following section.
When choosing a mentor, make sure that they have solid research training and experience in your area of interest. It is also important to find a mentor with whom you feel comfortable working and who is available to provide guidance and feedback throughout the research process.
3. Participate in research groups:
In addition to finding a mentor, participating in research groups can be a great way to connect with other researchers and find potential mentors.
By joining a research group, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with other researchers, exchange ideas, and learn new skills. Additionally, many experienced advisors participate in research groups, so joining one can help you find an advisor who is interested in the area you want to research. Joining a research group can also help you establish connections with healthcare professionals and increase your chances of publishing scientific papers.
To join research groups, check to see if your institution has any groups related to nursing or general health. You can also look for research groups at other nearby institutions or join research groups online.
To assist you in this process, the Enfermagem Pesquisadora website has an exclusive area that identifies all active Nursing-focused research groups, organized by Brazilian state, registered with the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) click here.
4. Seek theoretical knowledge:
When embarking on a research project, it is essential to have a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge. Theory provides the framework and context needed to understand the research and its findings, and can help you formulate relevant research questions.
One way to seek theoretical knowledge is by reading scientific articles and reference books in your area of interest. These sources can provide valuable information about the current state of knowledge in the area, as well as introduce relevant theories and concepts. To access these materials, there are several sources available, such as scientific databases: BDENF, CINAHL, LILACS, PUBMED, SCOPUS, Web of Science, among others. These databases can be accessed through university libraries, digital libraries, and other online sources.
Additionally, it is important to attend classes, seminars, and workshops to learn from other professionals and researchers in the field. These opportunities can provide you with up-to-date information on the latest research and practices in nursing and healthcare, and can also help you develop practical skills such as data analysis and writing scientific papers.
Another option is to join online discussion groups and forums, where you can connect with other researchers and exchange ideas and information. This can be especially helpful for those who don’t have easy access to in-person classes or seminars.
Finally, it is important to seek out mentors and consultants who are experienced in your area of interest and who can provide personalized guidance and feedback. They can help you understand complex theoretical concepts and provide useful insights on how to apply these concepts to your research.
5. Participate in research projects:
Participating in research projects is a great way to gain practical knowledge and experience in the field of research. By participating in a research project, you will have the opportunity to work with other professionals in the field, such as nurses, doctors, and other researchers in the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
There are several ways to participate in research projects. You can take part in projects through internship programs, undergraduate research programs, or by volunteering in research laboratories. In addition, you can look for opportunities to participate in projects by joining research groups or by contacting professors and researchers in the field.
When participating in a research project, you will perform a variety of roles and may learn important skills such as:
It is important to remember that participating in research projects can not only provide valuable experience, but can also be a way to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the health field. By participating in a project, you can help identify new solutions to health problems and improve clinical practice, developing new forms of care and treatment for a wide range of health conditions.
6. Participate in academic events:
Academic events are important for nursing professionals and students who want to get involved in research. Participating in academic events is a way to increase theoretical and practical knowledge in the area of nursing and general health, and offers an excellent opportunity to share and discuss ideas and research results with other professionals and researchers. These events include conferences, symposia, workshops, seminars, congresses, and other types of academic meetings.
By participating in these events, you can gain access to lectures, round tables, presentations of scientific papers, and other activities that offer valuable insights into the latest research, practices, and trends in Nursing and healthcare. Additionally, attending academic events allows you to meet other professionals in the field, making it a great place to network, which can be useful in seeking future research opportunities and collaborations.
Many scientific events also offer the possibility of publishing the work presented in the event proceedings, helping to disseminate research results to a wider audience. Publishing in the event proceedings provides visibility for the work presented, as well as an opportunity to receive feedback and constructive criticism from other researchers, which can help improve the research project. Furthermore, having your work published in the event proceedings can be a differentiator in an academic and professional career, especially for those who wish to pursue a career in research and teaching.
To participate in academic events, you need to be aware of the dates and locations of the events and register in advance. There are several free in-person, remote, or hybrid events, but most conferences are paid, and the cost can be high. Therefore, be aware of the discounts these events usually offer for students and professionals, especially during early bird registration periods. Such events can be found on academic institutions' websites or through specialized search engines, such as Google. One tip is to keep an eye on the social networks of research groups, as professors and researchers often publicize events through them.
7. Publish your studies:
Publishing scientific articles is a crucial step in academic research, as it allows the results obtained to be shared with the scientific community and used by other researchers and professionals in the field. In addition, publishing articles is a way to establish and strengthen the reputation of researchers and institutions, as well as contribute to the advancement of science and technology. However, this process can be more complex than one might imagine.
It is important to emphasize that publishing articles requires careful attention to detail, from choosing the right journal to writing the article itself. It is essential to choose a journal that is relevant to the research topic and that has a good impact factor in the area, as this can increase the visibility of your work in the scientific community.
To choose the right journal, you need to consider a number of aspects, such as the scope of the journal, the target audience, indexing in relevant databases, the impact factor of the journal and, above all, its alignment with Good Editorial Practices. Journals specialized in your research area may be a good option, as they increase the chances of your work being accepted for publication.
Additionally, it is important to follow the formatting and writing standards established by the chosen journal. Each journal has its own guidelines, which include requirements for article structure, formatting, and references. By following these guidelines, you increase your chances of having your article accepted for publication.
Finally, it is important to highlight that publishing scientific articles requires patience and persistence, as the process can often be time-consuming and require several revisions and adjustments to the work.
In conclusion, the tips presented here make it clear that research is an essential tool for improving clinical practice and nursing as a science, and any student or professional can contribute to this field by taking simple steps, such as those presented. These actions can be enriching, both for your career and for the advancement of science and clinical practice, so be sure to explore these opportunities and seek new ways of learning and developing. Together, we can build a more promising future for health and, above all, for nursing.