Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses

Apply What You Have Learned

The EBP committee is nearly done analyzing the evidence. Complete the outcomes column in

the grid by adding information about the quantitative designs. When available, report the pre-

and post-hand hygiene compliance rates so that you can determine which interventions were

most effective.

the intervention. It is possible for researchers to report additional analyses

comparing risks and benefits. Reporting adverse effects is necessary so that

professionals and patients can make informed choices. Researchers should

also report incidental findings when findings have clinical significance or are

interesting and indicate a need for further research.

Imagine that manuscripts for 10 different studies conducted about the effect of massage on the

oxygen saturation of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit are sent to a variety of journals.

Only one study had significant findings, and it was accepted for publication. If none of the other

nine studies were accepted for publication, what evidence would be available to nurses for EBP?

How might practice be affected if all 10 studies were published?

CRITICAL THINKING EXERCISE 13-5

Which of the following are unethical?

1. Selecting an alpha of .05 so that the research hypothesis is supported when it would not
   be if the alpha were set at .01.


2. Publishing articles about studies with nonsignificant findings.


3. Including information about incidental findings, especially when they involve side
   effects or risks.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE 13-10

How did you do? 1. Unethical; 2. Ethical; 3. Ethical

374 CHAPTER 13 What Do the Quantitative Data Mean?