help please!!

Published

So I have a research paper to do and I have no idea where to begin. I need to come up with a researchable question. It has to be a "hot topic" in the health care field and has to be within the last 2 years. Anybody have any ideas or topics to share!?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ebola

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with the poster who suggested Ebola, but it would refine it to deal with how nurses can educate the public regarding hysteria over unrealistic fears of epidemics (whipped up by media, in part). Another topic in the public eye is the rise of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks like measles and whooping cough as a result of anti-vaccine misinformation hysteria. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What type of "hot topic" are they wanting you to research, there are a wide range of things that could be covered under hot topics in the health career field, different diseases and the way in which we are treating them and things that we have been learning about them. Changes in how health care is being provided in the USA, what it means for individuals, what it means for those who are working in the medical field and even how it affects the facilities that provide health care, hospitals, private doctor offices, skilled nursing facilities and such. There has been the entire thing that has been going on with the VA. Take some time to read different posts on here and even google different topics to see if there is something that catches your interest that falls under what your instructor is looking for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have you considered "vaccinations" or the lack there of from parents,as a hot topic. There are a number of points you can write about, such as how the herd immunity of the population is protecting those who are not vaccinated. Another point is the potential rise of certain diseases as a lack of vacs, etc...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU.
Have you considered "vaccinations" or the lack there of from parents,as a hot topic. There are a number of points you can write about, such as how the herd immunity of the population is protecting those who are not vaccinated. Another point is the potential rise of certain diseases as a lack of vacs, etc...

I think this would be an excellent topic for a research paper! This is a very big hot button topic right now and there is a LOT of reputable source material for both sides of the argument for you to use in your paper.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone!

This is the exact assignment:

Again, this is a Research Paper, not a report, which means that you are critically answering a question and not, merely, providing information on a topic. For example, C-sections, is just a topic! However, writing about the success (or failure) of v-backs is a researchable question. Another example is children with ADHD, this is a topic, not a question. However, writing about how children with ADHD perform in school after being medicated is a researchable question. Please, ask if you have questions or concerns as REPORTS are prohibitted!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

You can use any topic you wish. You have to start with a general topic then narrow it down to something very specific to formulate your research question. Using the PICOT format is very popular with nursing schools on coming up with researchable questions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to AN!

To formulate questions in Evidence Based Practice and use the PICOT format.

PICOT stands for:

  • Population/ Patient Problem: Who is your patient? (Disease or Health status, age, race, sex)
  • Intervention: What do you plan to do for the patient? (Specific tests, therapies, medications)
  • Comparison: What is the alternative to your plan? (ie. No treatment, different type of treatment, etc.)
  • Outcome: What outcome do you seek? (Less symptoms, no symptoms, full health, etc.)
  • Time: What is the time frame? (This element is not always included.)

Your PICOT question should fall under one of these types:

  • Therapy/Prevention
  • Diagnosis
  • Etiology
  • Prognosis

PICOT - Nursing - Research Guides at Lansing Community College Library

PICO questions

'P I C O' examples

PICO

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

The most recent one comes to mind that has been heavily discussed on AN is the topic of brain death vs life support family rites, end of life debate. Using the Jahi Mcmath case as a case study.

There is the whole vaccination debate

Teen pregnancy rates and school nurses supplying birth control

The effect Obamacare has had on the healthcare system

The " nursing shortage" but is actual surplus while hospitals do not fill empty positions

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion