Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses

(Ben Green) #1

primarily linked with quantitative research, is reasoning that moves from
the general to the particular. For example, researchers use a theory to help
them reason out a hunch. If the researcher believes that the position of the
body affects circulation, then the researcher could deduce that blood pressure
readings taken while lying down will be different from those measured while
standing. In contrast, inductive reasoning involves reasoning that moves from
the particular to the general and is associated with qualitative approaches. By
using inductive reasoning, researchers can take particular ideas and express an
overall general summary about the phenomenon (Figure 1-3).


What Makes Up a Research Article?


The development of EBP requires careful attention to research already published.
Therefore, it is essential for nurses to identify research studies from among the
many other types of articles included in the literature. The trick is knowing
what sections are contained in a research article.


Typically, an abstract is the first section of a research article and is usually
limited to 100–150 words. The purpose of the abstract is to provide an overview
of the study, but the presence of an abstract does not necessarily mean that an


Attribute Quantitative Qualitative
Philosophical perspective One reality that can be
objectively viewed by the
researcher

Multiple realities that are
subjective, occurring within
the context of the situation
Type of reasoning Primarily deductive Primarily inductive
Role of researcher Controlled and structured Participative and ongoing
Strategies Control and manipulation of
situations
Analysis of numbers with
statistical tests
Larger number of subjects

Naturalistic; allows
situations to unfold without
interference
Analysis of words to identify
themes
Smaller numbers of
participants
Possible designs Descriptive Survey
Correlational
Quasi-experimental
Experimental

Phenomenological
Ethnographic
Grounded Theory
Historical

TABLE 1-4 Comparisons of Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches


KEY TERMS
inductive
reasoning: Thinking
that moves
from the particular
to the general
abstract: The
first section of a
research article
that provides an
overview of the
study

1.2 What Is Nursing Research? 19
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