School unveils new research framework

The School of Nursing unveiled its new research framework that better reflects the nursing research being conducted at the school and the health needs of the community.

“We undertook updating the research model to ensure we are reflecting all of the research being conducted and align those areas with the National Institute of Nursing Research research lenses and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” says Diane Treat-Jacobson, PhD, RN, FAHA, MSVM, FAAN, FNAP, senior executive associate dean for research.

The new research model captures the depth and breadth of research being conducted at the school. At its core is equitable health for all people, populations and the planet. The values that support that mission are innovation and bold ideas, community engagement, social justice and human dignity, patient-centered care, data-driven solutions and interprofessional collaboration.

“Those are the values that have grown out of our mission,” says Treat-Jacobson, Cora Meidl Siehl Chair in Nursing Research for Improved Care. “With those values, we have different approaches to our research we conduct at our school.” 

The approaches include research that promotes a just health care system, population/global/planetary health, use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and informatics to expand our knowledge, management of health across the lifespan, development of a strong nursing workforce, and health and wellness promotion. 

After analyzing the research grants received within the last five years and categorizing them, faculty were invited to refine the categories. “Faculty were deeply engaged in the process and thoughtful,” says Treat-Jacobson. “Our conversations were rigorous and honed in on our areas of expertise.”

The school then partnered with the Strategic Partnerships and Research Collaborative (SPARC) with the Office of the Vice President for Research to develop a framework that reflects the values and approaches utilized in research at the school and the school’s overall mission and vision.