Chapter Objectives Key Terms - Jones & Bartlett Learning

1 VLADGRIN/iStock/ThinkstockChapter ObjectivesAt the conclusion of this Chapter , the learner will be able to:1. Provide a rationale for completing a research List the necessary elements in a research Examine the evidence-based Evaluate evidence needed for clinical decision Use evidence-based practice guidelines to manage holistic nursing Te r m sCarol Boswell and Sharon CannonThe Research Critique Process and the Evidence-Based Appraisal ProcessCritiqueHypothesisQualitative researchQuantitative researchChapter 40310/17/15 10:19 AM Jones & Bartlett Learning , LLC.

2 NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTIONnnRationale for Doing a Research CritiqueWhen a critical question in nursing practice has been posed, the imme-diate reaction is often itself a question: What s in the literature? A common assumption made by most people is that the printed words are absolute or true. This assumption is even more commonplace when the literature is a researched study . Unfortunately, not all published research is scientifically sound. As a result, it is imperative that a nurse be able to critically assess a to Burns and Grove (2009), in the 1940s and 1950s nursing research generated critiques that were less than pleasant.

3 Consequently, little nursing research was undertaken until the 1980s and 1990s. No studies are without some imperfections, but fearing imperfect studies is not a valid excuse for failure to conduct research. The basic concept of research management is that the researcher makes decisions about the research plan and justifies those decisions. According to Glasofer (2014), quality is the extent to which a study has minimized biases in the selection of subjects and measurement of outcomes, as well as minimized influence of anything outside of the factors being studied on the results (p.)

4 19). If the researcher has done a good job with the justifications, then the strength of the results is supported. When poor justifications for the research decisions are evident, the strength of the results must be questioned. As a result of this realization, scrutiny focusing on the limitations and strengths of studies is now common-place. This shift from criticism to analysis provides a more positive approach to examining the usefulness of the scientific data generated. Nurses must critically contemplate and evaluate studies, particularly research studies, to determine the appropriate application to practice.

5 Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt (2015) support this sentiment in relation to research and evidence-based practice (EBP). In EBP, research provides the evidence that guides clinical practice in making decisions about the care nurses to Polit and Beck (2008), a research critique is a mecha-nism to provide feedback for improvement. They suggest that nurses who can critically review a study make valuable contributions to the body of nursing knowledge. Individuals conducting critiques need to be aware of biases that they could insert into their review. Care needs to be given THINK OUTSIDE THE BOXL ooking critically at the evidence required of nurses today, how could you start the process of gaining confidence in doing research critiques?

6 What are some of the reasons for doing research critiques?404 | Chapter 14 The Research Critique 40410/17/15 10:19 AM Jones & Bartlett Learning , LLC. NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION when looking at sources to determine the effectiveness of the material for practice, so that changes in practice are based on material that has minimal biases within the review of the , considering a rationale for a research critique can be found in the definition of the word critique as offered by the Merriam-Webster (2015) Learner s Dictionary: a careful judgment in which you give your opinion about the good and bad parts of something (such as a piece of writing or a work of art) (p.)

7 1). If one thinks of nursing as both an art and a science, then a critical review of nursing research can be seen as a work of art. Studies withstanding the test of time through careful exploration of findings and implementation allow nurses to practice the art and science of the profession. Each nurse is asked to regularly and consistently examine how and what they are doing in light of the evidence to ensure that the care provided is current. By examining the different articles for positive and negative items within the discussion, gaps and consistencies can be determined.

8 Research is a significant aspect of EBP; therefore, this Chapter discusses the research critique of a Research CritiqueBefore considering the elements of a research critique, let s discuss the types of critiques. Burns and Grove (2009) have identified nine types of critiques, ranging from student critiques to critiques of research proposals: Students learn to critique in their nursing education programs. Practicing nurses analyze studies for evidence on which to base the care provided. Educators approach critiques from the aspect of improving instruction. Nurse researchers focus on building a program of research emphasizing the review of studies in one specific area.

9 Abstracts are frequently reviewed for use in presenting research findings. Presenting research at meetings, conferences, and workshops allows participants to verbally critique studies. Several nursing journals publish critiques of published articles, with the authors of the original article subsequently respond-ing to concerns raised with the critique. These types of cri-tiques often take the form of letters to the editor. An article submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal undergoes a review by peers who assess the quality of the study . Requests for funding for research studies from agencies such as the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) are sub-jected to of a Research Critique | 40510/17/15 10:19 AM Jones & Bartlett Learning , LLC.

10 NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTIONC ritiques are essential to EBP and are expressed in the various forms just discussed. Regardless of the type of critique, each critique includes certain elements. Brink and Wood (2001) have suggested that the rationale for a research critique is to ascertain whether the conclu-sions are serviceable within the setting in which you are functioning. Some general questions can be associated with the elements of a PurposeThe first element of a research critique generally involves determining the purpose of a study . For example, this material is found in the introduction of the study by Iverson and colleagues (2014), although it is not labeled as such.