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Research refers to the systematic investigation of facts or it is simply a search for knowledge. With the help of research, researchers can establish or confirm different facts, reassure the results of previous works or studies, give solutions to problems, or develop new theories for further research. Research can be of two types: Basic research and Applied Research.
Basic research is also known as pure or fundamental research. It is mostly driven by the interest or curiosity of a question. For example, what were the factors behind the start of the universe? Or what is the reproduction process of slime molds? Key point in the basic research is to improve the knowledge rather than invent or create something new that is why it can be said that basic research has no commercial value. It is through the basic research that fundamental points in every branch of science can be understood, i.e. basic research develops a foundation for the applied research or science (San Jose State University, 2012).
On the other hand, applied research helps in solving the practical problems of the world rather than just studying the different aspects of the world. It can be said that the purpose of applied research is to improve the condition of humanity as, for example, applied research deals with the treatment or cure of a certain disease, or improvement of the production of crops. Experts are of opinion that in the present world, it is important to move from purely basic research to the applied research. They are in strong support of applied research due to the generation of different problems such as pollution, overpopulation of the world, and the overutilization of the natural resources of the earth (San Jose State University, 2012).
Research has a significant role in the advanced practice nursing. Actually, participating in research studies is one of the most important functions of advanced practice nursing as this profession is grounded in theory as well as research. Advanced practice nurses are not only involved in the provision of healthcare services but they are also involved in the development of differential diagnosis for patients, evaluation of the response of patients to a particular therapeutic strategy and modification of therapeutic plans, and studying the novel findings in their field of study. These functions of advanced practice nursing make them not only responsible and compassionate in their profession but also smart and savvy (Vanderbilt University, n.d.).
In nursing profession, nurses deal with living beings and that is why it is very important for them to work on the basis of clear evidences and proofs rather than just gut feelings or hunch. This can be achieved with the help of the use of results of research that are based on established scientific methods and data. Evidence based practice (EBP) that uses research findings is considered very important for nurses to utilize in their practice (Boswell & Cannon, 2012).
Advanced nursing practice utilizes the basic research and applied research. In this case, models and frameworks can help in predicting and explaining the healthcare provided by the nurses, i.e. a kind of basic research. Models of care in advanced nursing practice and their frameworks help in improving the knowledge of nurses as, for example, Professional Care Models help in getting knowledge about the unique needs of patients and providing responsibility as well as authority in patient care. Most of the nursing care models as well as research models are based on problem-solving process that starts with a question. Nurses ask clinical-related questions about patients, and an informal research is done on the basis of those questions. When a nurse finds the same kind of phenomenon with many patients having the same diagnosis, a pattern develops. In this way, observations are validated through experience and informal research, therefore, basic research helps in the development of framework (Boswell & Cannon, 2012).
On the other hand, applied research helps in the development of best practices, which is based on scientific data in the advanced nursing practice. In this case, reaffirmation of the gained knowledge in the basic research is done with the help of scientific data, thereby validating the desired outcomes and strengthening the best practices. Applied research is particularly helpful in those cases, when a nurse feels or thinks that the observations and/or results are accurate, when in reality they are not. Researchers have given an example of oxygen consumption by patients. Common observation can show that taking a patient to a bedside commode could result in more consumption of oxygen as compared to the use of bedpan, but research has shown that this is not an accurate observation. Therefore, reality or observation (basic research) in advanced nursing practice can be checked with the help of well-designed scientific inquiry (applied research) and evidence. Experts are of opinion that EBP, which is related to applied research can help in knowing the truth about nursing practice (Boswell & Cannon, 2012).
Research has an important role in best healthcare practices. Both the basic research and applied research are important for nurses, who are primarily involved in healthcare services. Nurses can take the help of basic research to get answers for everyday problems encountered by them, and they can utilize applied research to know whether their answers are right or not. With the combination of basic research and applied research, advanced nursing practice actually becomes a validated best practice.
References
Boswell, C., & Cannon, S. (2012). Introduction to Nursing Research: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
San Jose State University. (2012). Basic vs. Applied Research (from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory). Retrieved from http://www.sjsu.edu/people/fred.prochaska/courses/ScWk170/s0/Basic-vs.-Applied-Research.pdf
Vanderbilt University. (n.d.). What is Advanced Practice Nursing? Retrieved from http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/whatisapn.html
