NURS 6901 - Theoretical Foundations in Science and Research
Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section A03, CRN 30374,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Amy Weaver
Professional Qualifications:
PhD in Nursing, Villanova University
Master of Science Nursing (MSN)/Clinical Nurse Specialist with Chronic Illness focus, Youngstown State University
Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN), West Liberty State College
Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), National League for Nursing
Professor
Email: aweaver@ysu.edu
Office: Cushwa Hall 3114
Office Phone: 330-941-2328
Preferred Contact Method: Please contact me directly from your YSU email to my YSU email (not through Blackboard email or Blackboard messages).
Communication Expectations:
Faculty will respond to student emails within 48 hours. Students are expected to respond to faculty emails within 48 hours.
Students are required to check announcements, weekly modules, and discussion boards each week at the beginning of each week for weekly assignments and at least three times per week for updates. It is the student’s responsibility to frequently monitor their YSU email for faculty communication. It is also the student’s responsibility to complete assignments on time and contact faculty for assistance if needed prior to the due date.
Assignments will be graded within one week of the due date. If an assignment is submitted late, it will be graded within one week of submission date.
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Weaver
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Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | (2026). Nursing research: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice (11th ed.). Elsevier. | LoBiondo-Wood, G. & Haber, J. | |
| Required | (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association: The official guide to APA style (7th ed.). American Psychological Association. | American Psychological Association |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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NURS 6901 Theoretical Foundations Course Schedule - The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are tentative and are subject to change by the instructor as necessary throughout the term to meet the needs of the class, and/or to ensure better learning.
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/29 | Read: LoBiondo-Wood & Haber Ch 1, 2, 3 & 4 Read: PICOT Information Folder Read: LoBiondo-Wood & Haber Ch 8, 9 & 10 Read: APA Resources Folder (in Getting Started) Read: LoBiondo-Wood & Haber Ch 11, 12 & 13 Read: LoBiondo-Wood & Haber Ch 14, 15, 16 & 17 Read: LoBiondo-Wood & Haber Ch 5 & 6 Read: LoBiondo-Wood & Haber Ch 19, 20 & 21 |
Introduction to Course Overview of Research & Evidence-based Practice Integrating research, evidence-based practice & quality improvement Research questions, hypotheses & clinical questions Gathering and appraising literature Theoretical frameworks Quantitative Research Introduction Experimental & quasi-experimental designs Nonexperimental designs Quantitative Research Systematic reviews Sampling Legal & ethical issues Quantitative Research Data collection methods Reliability & validity Data analysis Understanding research findings Processes & Evidence related to Qualitative Research Application of Research: Evidence-Based Practice & Quality Improvement Translating Evidence into Practice |
Discussion Board Introduce Yourself Sun 11:59pm EST Discussion Board PICOT Question Thurs 11:59pm EST Quiz – APA 7 Format Open Wed 11:59pm EST to Sunday 11:59pm EST Final Revision of PICOT from Module 1 (if needed) Must be approved by Thurs 11:59pm EST Search Strategy Form Sun 11:59pm EST Discussion Board Post – Research Ethics Thurs 11:59pm EST Respond to other students by Sun 11:59pm EST Literature Summary Table Sun 11:59pm EST Research Synthesis Paper Sun 11:59pm EST Narrated PowerPoint Presentation - Literature Review (post in Module 7 Discussion Board also) Sun 11:59pm EST Discussion Board Posts: Viewing of Classmates’ Narrated PowerPoint Presentations FRI 11:59pm EST |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.