title: Structure and process of outcomes research for nurse practitioners.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present a framework for nurse practitioners (NPs) who wish to engage in outcomes research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of scientific literature on the design of outcomes research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The structure and process of outcomes research includes both the research protocol and the decisions related to designing and implementing a study. Each identified step of the presented framework incorporates issues related to decision making relevant for that specific component of the research protocol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Practical advice guides the NP in beginning to identify researchable problems within the clinical setting suited to outcomes research. Using a framework to design an outcomes study assists the NP in making key study decisions.
authors.affiliation: Beth-El College of Nursing, Colorado Springs, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moores
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Breslin
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*