Nursing

Best practice: Evidence-based practice requires literature critiques

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, August 25, 2009

Cultivating a nursing environment grounded in evidence-based practice requires nurses to be able to read and critique research reports. Critiquing research requires a critical view of what is written, and nurses must determine whether the study was valid and whether it actually promoted nursing practice.

Many nurses feel unsure of their ability to critique research articles, but with practice and some general guidelines, the task becomes much easier. Often, critiquing research articles helps novice researchers develop an improved design for the type and format of research they want to conduct.

The type of study determines what components should be examined when critiquing research. Quantitative studies are conducted and written to help describe phenomena, to explain relationships among variables, or to help answer questions pertinent to nursing practice. Qualitative studies are conducted and written to help explain or describe a phenomenon of interest.

Source: HCPro's Advisor to the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®, August issue. Don't have a subscription? Take a look at the benefits of becoming a member of HCPro's Resource Center for the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®.

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