Abstract

Big data is an advanced research methodology available to nurse researchers as part of a collaborative intra-professional team effort. In the Digital age large data sets are generated at a rate that defies definition. These data sets represent found data that exceeds the capacity of normal computer systems and is typically collected for another purpose, that are then used to answer research questions and test hypotheses. The team typically includes at least one or more health professionals who work on a collaborative team with data experts that include a statistician, software programmer and additional information technology experts. These methods are critical to the future advancement of nursing science and healthcare, and need to be integrated into the curriculum of Nursing PhD programs. The management of big data requires special ethical consideration by the IRB to insure that the project is either exempt or excluded and free from human subjects’ concerns. Big data methodology is important to and the advancement of nursing science and healthcare in the Digital Age.