Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses

2.2 Keeping It Ethical

The Joanna Briggs Institute is an international research and development

unit of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, which is located in Adelaide, South Aus-

tralia (see http://www.joannabriggs.org). The institute was established in 1995

and became fully operational in 1996. It aims to improve the effectiveness of

nursing practice and healthcare outcomes. Some initiatives include conducting

systematic reviews, collaborating with expert researchers to facilitate develop-

ment of practice information sheets, and designing, promoting, and delivering

short courses about EBP.

Match the following entities to the corresponding level of collaboration they provide:

1. APN


2. Joanna Briggs Institute


3. Policy committee


4. AHRQ


5. Librarian


6. NINR


7. Staff nurse

a. Individual nurse level

b. Organizational level

c. Regional level

d. National level

e. International level

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE 2-1

How did you do? 1. a; 2. e; 3. b; 4. d; 5. c; 6. d; 7. a

At the end of this section, you will be able to:

‹ Discuss international and national initiatives designed to promote ethical conduct

‹ Describe the rights that must be protected and the three ethical principles that must

be upheld when conducting research

‹ Explain the composition and functions of IRBs at the organizational level

‹ Discuss the nurse’s role as patient advocate in research situations

Ethical research exists because international, national, organizational, and

individual factors are in place to protect the rights of individuals. Without

these factors, scientific studies that violate human rights, such as the Nazi ex-

periments, could proceed unchecked. Many factors of ethical research, which

evolved in response to unethical scientific conduct, are aimed at protecting

54 CHAPTER 2 Using Evidence Through Collaboration to Promote Excellence