| Pt. I | Overview of Nursing Research | |
| Ch. 1 | Exploring Nursing Research | 3 |
| Ch. 2 | Comprehending the Research Process | 14 |
| Ch. 3 | Reading Research Reports | 26 |
| Ch. 4 | Understanding the Ethics of Nursing Research | 31 |
| Pt. II | Preliminary Steps in the Research Process | |
| Ch. 5 | Scrutinizing Research Problems, Research Questions, and Hypotheses | 41 |
| Ch. 6 | Reviewing the Research Literature | 55 |
| Ch. 7 | Examining Theoretical Frameworks | 65 |
| Pt. III | Design for Nursing Research | |
| Ch. 8 | Understanding Quantitative Research Design | 75 |
| Ch. 9 | Understanding Qualitative Research Design | 92 |
| Ch. 10 | Examining Sampling Plans | 104 |
| Pt. IV | Collection of Research Data | |
| Ch. 11 | Scrutinizing Data Collection Methods | 117 |
| Ch. 12 | Evaluating Measurements and Data Quality | 137 |
| Pt. V | Analysis of Research Data | |
| Ch. 13 | Analyzing Quantitative Data | 151 |
| Ch. 14 | Analyzing Qualitative Data | 172 |
| Pt. VI | Critical Appraisal and Utilization of Nursing Research | |
| Ch. 15 | Critiquing Research Reports | 185 |
| Ch. 16 | Using Research Findings in Nursing Practice | 207 |
| Pt. VII | Research Reports | |
| Patient Outcomes for the Chronically Critically Ill: Special Care Unit Versus Intensive Care Unit | 217 |
| Family Members' Experiences Living with Members with Depression | 233 |
| Appendix: Answers to Selected Study Guide Questions | 255 |