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Research Assistance

Sigma Theta Tau is committed to student excellence in research. The Theta Kappa Research Committee provides guidelines to assist in furthering members' research and funding opportunities.

Theta Kappa Research Committee

Guidelines for writing an abstract

Definition

An abstract is a brief summary of a research study.

Purpose

  • To summarize the research study
  • To assist the reader in deciding whether or not a study meets his/her need
  • To provide the reader with an overview of the remaining sections of the report

Characteristics

  • • Consists of 100 to 300 words
  • • Typically includes a purpose statement
  • • Describes research methods used
  • • Describes the sample and setting
  • • Provides a summary of findings and conclusions
  • • Can be organized using various headings that could include the following:
    • Purpose
    • Methods
    • Results
    • and
    • Conclusions/Implications.

Guidelines to evaluate a quantitative research study

Abstract

  • Is the abstract an appropriate length (i.e 100-250 word)?
  • Does it include a problem and purpose statement?
  • Does it describe the methods used in the study and provide a summary of study findings?
  • Would the abstract help the reader to decide whether or not to read the study?
  1. Introduction
    1. Problem and Purpose Statement
      • Is there a clear problem statement or is it implied?
      • Is the problem significant and how does it impact practice?
      • Is there a clear purpose statement or is it implied?
      • Is the purpose statement related to the problem statement?
      • Does the purpose statement clearly identify the study variables and the population under study?
    2. Review of the Literature
      • Does the literature review support the need for the study by providing an overview of what is currently known about the topic under consideration?
      • Does the literature review identify gaps and/or inconsistencies (discrepancies)?
      • Does the literature review identify and include all relevant concepts and study variables?
      • Are primary or secondary sources utilized?
    3. Theoretical Framework
      • Is a theoretical framework utilized and is it appropriate for the study?
      • Are the variables defined conceptually and operationally?
      • Does the theoretical framework provide an organizing framework or a context to examine problems and develop and test hypotheses?
      • Is the framework tested and accepted theory?
      • Does the author include a model depicting the relationship between/among variables?
    4. Hypotheses/Research Question (s)
      • Does the research report include formally stated Hypotheses and/or Research Questions? If not, is their absence justifiable?
      • Are they clearly worded and objective?
      • How many are included and are they testable?
      • Are they logically linked to the research problem, the theoretical framework, and the literature review?
      • Do they identify the research variables and the population being studied?
      • What type of hypotheses/research questions are included (e.g., simple vs. complex, directional/non-directional, causal, associative, etc.)? and Do they predict a relationship between and among the variables?
  2.  Methods
    1. Research Design
      • What type of research design is used and is the design appropriate?
      • What are the study variables (independent and dependent)?
      • How does the researcher control for confounding variables?
    2. Sampling
      • Describe the sample, type of sample, how it was selected.
      • Is the sampling plan sound and well conceived?
      • Is the sample size large enough?
      • Could a small sample size contribute to error and reduce the power of study?
      • Are there any ethical issues or informed consent issues?
      • Does the author describe IRB approvals and confidentiality issues?
    3. Instrumentation
      • What instruments were used to gather data (how many, describe each one-including demographic instruments)?
      • Are they valid and reliable? What are the reliabilities? (A Cronbach’s alpha .70 or better is acceptable for a new tool, .80 or better for an established tool)
      • What measures did the researcher take to ensure reliabilities and validities?
    4. Procedures
      • How was the data collected?
      • Are the procedures for data clearly identified so that the study could be replicated in future studies?
  3. Results
    • What type of statistical analyses were used and were they appropriate?
    • Were the findings significant and how significant?
    • What type of statistical analyses are reported (descriptive, t-tests, multiple regression, anova)?
  4. Discussion
    • Does the author provide an overview of major findings?
    • Are results interpreted in the context of the problem, purpose, hypothesis and framework?
    • Are findings discussed in terms of other research findings?
    • Does the author identify threats to internal and external validity? If not, what are the threats?
    • Are practice-based implications and recommendations for future research discussed?

JRK

Research grant proposals

Theta Kappa research grant application (PDF)

Call for research proposals

In keeping with the vision of Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), the Research Committee of the Theta Kappa Chapter of STTI invites applications for research grants.

General Information:

  • The Theta Kappa Grants Program is designed primarily to provide funding for pilot projects or small research projects including dissertations and DNP projects.
  • Grants are awarded to Theta Kappa members only.
  • The maximum grant award is up to $500.
  • Any Theta Kappa member is eligible to apply.

Deadline for submission: January 31, 2024 @ 5pm
Follow application guidelines and submit the research proposal electronically to Jennifer Viveiros, PhD, RN.

Research grant guidelines for submitting a research proposal, the application and agreement forms can be obtained on this site.

Please note, if guidelines are not followed including page limits, your proposal will be returned to you for edits or not considered for a research award.

For further information contact:
Jennifer Viveiros, PhD, RN, Theta Kappa Research Committee Chair

Guidelines for submission of a research grant application

(2022 BW)

In keeping with the vision of Sigma Theta Tau International, Theta Kappa Chapter invites members to submit applications for research grants. General information and the format for submission are included below.

General information

Grants are awarded to Theta Kappa members only. Membership must be current at the time of the application and at the time of selection. An application for membership may accompany the proposal. If there are multiple investigators, the primary investigator must be a member of Theta Kappa.

The principle investigator may submit only one proposal application per funding cycle.

The principle investigator must agree to the following:

  • Present the findings of the research at a Theta Kappa Meeting, either  through poster or oral presentation.
  • Submit progress reports every six months to the Theta Kappa Research  Committee until the study is completed (see Progress Report Form)

Acknowledge Theta Kappa Chapter as a funding source in publications or  presentations of the research.

Research finding is not released until documentation of IRB approval is received.

Format

Proposals submitted for consideration must include the following (in the order presented below). APA format is required. Length of proposal is limited to 5 pages, not including appendices or references. Note: Excess pages will result in your proposal being returned for editing.

  1. Proposal Cover Form
  2. The abstract should include significant background information, research design,  methods (including sample, data collection and data analysis) and relevance of the  study.
  3. Narrative addressing the following:
    1. Problem statement/purpose of the project
    2. Background and significance
      1. Critical statement of existing knowledge and identification of the gaps which this research will address. State the significance. For scholarly project, identify  the PICOT terms and purpose of the project. State the significance.
    3. Research/scholarly project design and methods
      1. Describe the research/scholarly project design
      2. Sample, size and sampling procedure
      3. Procedures to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the research or  purpose of scholarly project
      4. Describe instruments to be used, their reliability and validity (research) or data  collection/evaluation methods for scholarly project.
      5. Explain how the data will be collected, analyzed and interpreted.
  4. Budget and budget justification – be detailed and specific. For example, identified personnel,  supplies, equipment, travel, other.
  5. Timeframe
  6. Key references – not included in the page count.
  7. Appendices (including research instruments, letters of support from agency and faculty  sponsor if appropriate, IRB approval or letter indicating IRB submission or intent to submit.  Not included in the page count.
  8. Short biographical sketch of the principal investigator (limited to no more than 2 pages) – Not  included in the page count.

Selection

Research/scholarly project grant applications will be reviewed by the Research Committee. Recommendations for approval of funding will be presented to the Theta Kappa Executive Board. The Board will render final approval. Once approved by the Board, the applicants will be notified by the Research Committee.