Academic Programs - PhD

Course Descriptions

NURS 6101– Responsible Conduct of Research
Explores a variety of ethical and policy issues pertinent to the responsible conduct of research. Analysis and application of topics including conflict of interest, responsible authorship, policies for handling misconduct, data management, data sharing, and policies involving use of human and animal subjects. (1 credit)

NURS 6102– Roles and Responsibilities of the Nurse Scientist
Socialization process to role of nursing scholar/scientist. Career trajectories of nursing scholars who have pursued various roles. This seminar addresses the responsibilities and activities of a scientist in the health profession. (2 credits)

NURS 6103 – Philosophy of Science
Systematic study of contemporary philosophy of science. Survey of main issues in the philosophy of science. Topics will include the structure of scientific theories, theory testing, and the rationale of scientific methodologies. The rationality of scientific belief and the moral constraints of scientific research may also be discussed. (3 credits)

NURS 6111– Ethics in Research and Scholarship
Analysis of philosophical and empirical research in health care ethics with consideration of human diversity and vulnerability. Deals with ethical imperatives and implications for the role of clinical nurse scientists in research. Ethical theories are critiqued. Discusses ethical issues related to ethnically diverse and/or vulnerable populations as research participants. (1 credit)

NURS 6203 – Epistemology in Nursing Science
Students synthesize theory development knowledge with strategies for testing theoretical statements. The student critically evaluates, compares, and contrasts the major theory development strategies used in nursing. (3 credits)

NURS 6303 – Vulnerability and Disparity in Diverse Populations
Vulnerability is appraised from physiological, psychosocial, and environmental perspectives. Selected environment, cultural, and social factors influencing health and healthcare are explored. (3 credits)

BMSC 5001 – Integrity in Scientific Research
Ethical research conduct from design to dissemination. (1 credit)

NURS 6113 – Quantitative Methods in Research
An introduction to research designs for causal inference. (3 credits)

NURS 6123 – Applied Statistics I
Advanced conceptual understanding and applied statistical techniques to answer questions relevant to nursing. Students review assumptions underlying specific analyses, perform and interpret output from descriptive and inferential statistical analyses using statistical software, determine appropriate statistical approaches to answer reserach questions, develop sound analysis plan based on type of data collected. (3 credits)

NURS 6213 – Qualitative Methods in Research
An introduction to qualitative inquiry as an approach to knowledge discovery related to clinical nursing research. (3 credits)

NURS 6223 – Applied Statistics II
Advanced conceptual and applied use of multivariate statistical techniques. Students review assumptions underlying specific multivariate approaches, perform and interpret output from analyses completed using statistical software, determine appropriate multivariate statistical approach to answer defined reserach questions relevant to nursing, and apply MANOVA, Multiple Regression and group prediction models. (3 credits)

NURS 6323 – Special Focus in Applied Statistics
Intensive focus of specific statistical analytic approaches relevant to nursing with application and interpretation of statistical output. Topic area varies depending on faculty expertise and student dissertation needs. Includes analysis of data sets and interpretation of outcomes from designated statistical approaches. May be repeated with change of focus. (3 credits)

NURS 6313 – Research Measurement and Instrumentation
A course in research instrumentation presenting modern and classical psychometrics for research studies from the perspective of item response theory. (3 credits)

NURS 6401 – Grant Writing Seminar
This seminar course provides a foundation upon which to build skills for writing grant applications from seeking appropriate mechanisms for accomplishing the dissertation through the completion of the application. Included in this continuum is the articulation of the background and significance, methods, plans for analysis, and discussion regarding human subjects or vertebrate animals. Students project budget development and packaging of ideas as information basic to creating successful proposals. (1 credit)

NURS 6402 – Implementing Research with Diverse Populations
Issues and approaches for implementing research with diverse populations. (2 credits)

NURS 6423 – Special Focus in Qualitative Approaches
In-depth focus on specific qualitative research method and analytic approach relevant to nursing. Topic varies depending on faculty expertise and student dissertation needs. Theoretical underpinnings, project planning and implementation, sampling, data management issues and techniques are examined with emphasis on analysis, application, and interpretation of findings within healthcare context. (3 credits)

NURS 6960 – Directed Readings in Nursing Science
Intensive directed readings in a specific area of interest. May be repeated wtih variabel topics and content; maximum credit nine hours. Individually tailored for each student with an extensive directed reading in a specific area of teh student's interest and/or background. (1-6 credits)

NURS 6990 – Special Studies in Nursing Science
Contemporary theoretical issues; significant research developments or special research ideas studied under the direction of the faculty. Students may select areas related to their research topics, substantive area or selected methodologies. May be repeated wtih change of subject matter. (1-4 credits)

NURS 6301 – Research Practicum
This clinical research practicum is designed to give the student actual research experience in their area of focus outside the dissertation. Teamwork and collaboration are encouraged. Students may participate as a team member in the mentor’s research. (1-6 credits)

Substantive Focus Area (Individually tailored for each student)
Courses will be selected, with guidance of the advisor and dissertation chair, which provide substantive support (topical, theoretical or methodological) to the student's dissertation.

NURS 6501 – Prospectus Seminar
Seminar for the doctoral student beginning dissertation work. Development, justification, and refinement of the dissertation proposal. (1 credit)

NURS 6980 – Dissertation Research
Dissertation credit arranged. (12-21 credits)