Introduction to Research and Evidence Based Practice
Coventry University
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Mental Health Nursing Diploma
September 2009 Cohort
Describe the key issues surrounding reliability, validity and trustworthiness as applied to Evidence Based Practice
The findings from good, current, reliable, valid or trustworthy research are the basis for maintaining high standards of care and all nurses must practice based on the most up to date evidence (NMC 2008). It is now an important part of nursing to actively participate in research and evidence based practice in order to continually improve the standard of the health care system. This process ensures that nurses are kept up to date with relevant information needed to provide the most effective care for patients. In this essay I will base my research within the realms of mental health nursing which is my area of professional practice. Furthermore I will explain some of the key issues surrounding reliability, validity and trustworthiness, all terms of which will be defined. I will then relate these issues to how they are applied in mental health nursing practice by referring to existing research.
In order to fully explore the findings of the research I will use studies from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective. The European Commission states that ‘qualitative studies investigate in-depth the motivations, the feelings, the reactions of selected social groups towards a given subject or concept, by listening and analysing their way of expressing themselves in discussion groups or with non-directive interviews.’ This is largely different to information that is obtained in a quantitative study. Market Research World states that ‘quantitative research is used to measure how many people feel, think or act in a particular way. These surveys tend to include large samples. Structured questionnaires are usually used incorporating mainly closed questions - questions with set responses.’ However even though both types of research are
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Mental Health Nursing Diploma
September 2009 Cohort
Describe the key issues surrounding reliability, validity and trustworthiness as applied to Evidence Based Practice
The findings from good, current, reliable, valid or trustworthy research are the basis for maintaining high standards of care and all nurses must practice based on the most up to date evidence (NMC 2008). It is now an important part of nursing to actively participate in research and evidence based practice in order to continually improve the standard of the health care system. This process ensures that nurses are kept up to date with relevant information needed to provide the most effective care for patients. In this essay I will base my research within the realms of mental health nursing which is my area of professional practice. Furthermore I will explain some of the key issues surrounding reliability, validity and trustworthiness, all terms of which will be defined. I will then relate these issues to how they are applied in mental health nursing practice by referring to existing research.
In order to fully explore the findings of the research I will use studies from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective. The European Commission states that ‘qualitative studies investigate in-depth the motivations, the feelings, the reactions of selected social groups towards a given subject or concept, by listening and analysing their way of expressing themselves in discussion groups or with non-directive interviews.’ This is largely different to information that is obtained in a quantitative study. Market Research World states that ‘quantitative research is used to measure how many people feel, think or act in a particular way. These surveys tend to include large samples. Structured questionnaires are usually used incorporating mainly closed questions - questions with set responses.’ However even though both types of research are
References: Gerrish, K.; Lacey, A. (2006) The Research Process in Nursing. 5th edition. Wiley-Blackwell Hughes, K. (1997) Young people, alcohol, and designer drinks. British Medical Journal, 314: (1622) Macnee, C (2004) Understanding nursing research: using research in evidence-based practice. 2nd edition. Library of congress. Nurses and Midwifery council. http://www.nmc-uk.org Sinclair, J.; Green, J. (2005) Understanding resolution of deliberate self harm: qualitative interview study of patient’s experiences. British Medical Journal, 330 (7500). What is qualitative study? http://ec.europa.eu What is quantitative study? http://www.marketresearchworld.net