Formulate the question that you seek to answer clearly. Write out what the variable (such as education retention) is, as well as how you want the variable to change.
Identify nurses that could provide you with detailed, accurate accounts of their experiences with patients. Locate the patients for follow-up questionnaires if necessary. Look for nurses who directly supervise or perform the aspects of practice that you are researching (such as a triage nurse).
Develop a data-gathering methodology. For example, you might send out questionnaires to patients asking about their triage experience and look for recurring themes in the patients' responses. Keep track of all data that you collect from participants. Organize the data according to your methodology.
Change your methodology if necessary. Adjust the approaches that you take as your research provides a clearer sense of the subjects' viewpoints.