Evidence-Based Research Methods in Nursing Practice

Introduction to Evidence-Based Research

Research is based on evidence, and the implementation of any program requires substantial data collection and evidence-based inquiry. A researcher must also make decisions throughout the research process and ground those decisions in the evidence uncovered. For example, nurses make clinical decisions based on information and practice, and certain forms of knowledge and evidence are considered superior to others; sources of information therefore vary accordingly (Polit & Beck, 2008).

Greater practice and study creates opportunities for the researcher to capture information, and that process requires follow-ups. Following up on a study can open new directions and reveal whether findings remain valid a decade later.

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods

Qualitative research is mostly grounded in naturalistic evidence about a topic, while quantitative research is linked with a positivist framework (Polit & Beck, 2008). These two approaches are fundamentally different from one another, yet they also share similarities that help researchers make effective use of the evidence they collect.

Both qualitative and quantitative research require evidence rather than the researcher's own beliefs or personal views. It is important to confirm that the information collected is valuable and relevant to the topic at hand; that requires a critical eye (Polit & Beck, 2008). A researcher gathers information through different evidence-based methods, and answers to a research question may vary in both content and format.

Using CAT and Journal Articles in Nursing Research

In order to connect relevant topics to a research project, it is important to identify suitable sources and integrate them effectively. The Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) is a tool available in nursing research that helps researchers select an article by reading its summary, which includes a clinical question, the best available evidence, and a recommendation (Polit & Beck, 2008). It is both a learning and teaching tool that researchers can use to address specific practice problems.

Journal articles form a central part of research and provide a large number of studies to be addressed in a literature review. To navigate relevant material, researchers can also consult the discussion sections of journal articles, which include the implications and meanings of findings, an evaluation of results, and guidance on how those results might be applied in practice (Polit & Beck, 2008). Reading journal articles frequently helps one become familiar with their style and structure. It is also useful to print an article and highlight key points while reading. A second reading is equally important, as significant points are often missed on a first pass. Statistical symbols and figures may appear confusing, but the goal is to grasp the central idea behind the results and findings. The next step is to write down what was understood and expand on it in paragraph form, summarizing the results in one's own words rather than reproducing numbers directly.

It is also important to read research with a critical point of view and to evaluate the methodological and conceptual decisions made by the researcher. This practice strengthens analytical skills and encourages consideration of the multiple perspectives present within any body of research (Polit & Beck, 2008).

Conclusion

Polit, D., & Beck, C. T. (2008). Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: Philadelphia.