Question: 1. Discovering the right information to answer a given question often requires using more than one resource. When nurses explore only one resource and find no evidence, they may incorrectly assume that there is no evidence to answer their question. Additionally, when nurses search for randomized control studies to answer a clinical question, and use only web-based search engines they will not find the information they need and miss evidence that is crucial to their research. Therefore, when searching for answers to clinical questions, all evidence should be considered; however, caution must be used when deciding about practice changes that are based solely on evidence that may have substantial bias.
What levels of evidence are present in relation to research and practice, and why it is important regardless of the method you use?
2. In addition to the knowledge gained from clinical practice, nurses are compelled to create and use evidence from research when determining effective strategies for implementing change for improving care practices and patient outcomes.
What factors must be assessed when critically appraising quantitative studies (e.g., validity, reliability, and applicability)? Which is the most important? Why?