In nursing and midwifery research we often do survey studies. How can we justify that our nursing and midwifery research proposals are really research and not a quality improvement project?
Quality improvement projects are generally carried out to test a process/program against established standards/guidelines to improve systems. By doing a survey, you are aiming at knowledge synthesis, which can be generalizable through a research question. The survey will follow a strict protocol or pre-specified procedure for data collection, recording and reporting; however, quality improvement projects are adaptive, usually follows models for improvement such as PDSA.
Do an analytical epidemiological study instead of an observational study. Formulate a null hypothesis and then test it by an analytical study.
It can be a fine line in nursing and midwifery research as even service evaluation/QI projects will still need ethical permission to access your participants.
This link offers clear guidance:
http://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/research-innovation/for-researchers/is-it-research,-audit-or-service-evaluation/
We do qualitative nursing and midwifery research and use the rule of thumb that we are looking for new knowledge. This starts with how you frame your question (obvious i know) for example; 'What is the impact on decision-making of the clinical nurse specialist in XX speciality' or 'How do Midwives achieve confidence and competence in perineal assessment'. A QI question would look more like this: Do clinical nurse specialists in XX speciality increase the uptake of surgery?' or 'Evaluation of perineal assessment training among Midwives'.
If you can link with an academic department, they can guide you. But be aware, 'research' brings a lot of paperwork and restrictions!