Final answer:
The next step after identifying the problem and clarifying the purpose of a study for a nurse researcher is to perform a literature review, which involves researching existing sources related to the topic.
Step-by-step explanation:
After a nurse researcher has identified and stated the problem and clarified the purpose of the study, the next step in the research process should be to perform a literature review. This step involves researching existing sources to understand what is already known about the topic at hand.
This is critical before formulating a hypothesis or developing a conceptual framework because it ensures that the research is built on a solid foundation of existing knowledge and is not duplicating effort. Moreover, a thorough literature review can help in defining the study variables accurately, which is an essential step that precedes hypothesis formulation.