Cardiology research falls under advanced practice, one of three broad categories of projects in nursing doctorate programs. Even within the narrow scope of illness and dysfunction of the circulatory system, multiple project ideas are available. One potential area of study is the relationship between heart problems and lifestyle choices and behavior. This includes questions of upbringing and environment, culture and even race and gender. Another area is the integration of new technologies, such as monitoring tools, into nursing practice.
Another topic from the general category of advanced practice, geriatrics research offers many possible project ideas for nursing doctoral candidates. One major area of research is the interconnectivity of physical and cognitive functions in geriatric patients. For example, a doctoral candidate might examine whether physical injuries, such as broken bones or illness, affect brain function or cause mental disease. Another area of research involves the theory and practice of teaching geriatric medicine in a nursing curriculum.
Health policy, the second broad category of nursing program curriculum, is an area of nursing, and health care in general, that deals with how different segments of society, as well as government institutions and other organizations, influence health care policy and delivery.
Many projects in this field deal with regional concerns about health services. For example, how do the needs of a rural farming community differ from those of a dense urban population? Also in this vein is research into the incidence and prevention of certain conditions or diseases in segments of society--for example, the rate of incidence of tuberculosis in homeless shelters.
This is the third and last major category of many nursing program curriculums, and many nursing doctorate projects are drawn from it. Health service delivery looks at the administrative side of nursing practice. Leadership, performance management and informatics are among the topics covered under health service delivery. Possible project ideas include research into leadership models for hospital nursing staff, uses of information technology and other equipment in nursing practice, and comparative nursing practices.