Contributions of qualitative research to evidence-based practice in nursing.
OBJECTIVE
This article aims to identify the contributions of qualitative research to evidence-based practice in nursing.


BACKGROUND
Qualitative research dates back to the 1920s and 1930s, when anthropologists and sociologists used qualitative research methods to study human phenomena in naturalistic settings and from a holistic viewpoint. Afterwards, other subject matters, including nursing, adopted qualitative methods to answer their research questions. The restructuring of health care over the past decade has brought about increased accountability in nursing research. One method for increasing this accountability is evidence-based practice.


METHODS
The method used was a search in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature database from 1999-present. The search resulted in 61 citations for evidence-based practice in nursing research; however, only 5 citations focused on evidence-based practice and qualitative research.


RESULTS
The authors' findings revealed six contributions of qualitative research to evidence-based practice: generation of hypotheses; development and validation of instruments; provision of context for evaluation; development of nursing interventions; development of new research questions; and application of Qualitative Outcome Analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Qualitative research makes important contributions to the quality of evidence-based practice.
Ailinger
Rita L
RL
College of Nursing and Health Science, George Mason University. railinge@gmu.edu
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D009736:Nursing Process; D015399:Nursing Research