Nursing Research Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice NINETH EDITION Geri LoBiondo-Wood, PhD, RN, FAAN Professor and Coordinator, PhD in Nursing Program, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Nursing, Houston, Texas Judith Haber, PhD, RN, FAAN 2 The Ursula Springer Leadership Professor in Nursing, New York University, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York, New York 3 Table of Contents Cover image Title page Copyright About the authors Contributors Reviewers To the faculty To the student Acknowledgments I. Overview of Research and Evidence-Based Practice Introduction 4 kindle:embed:0006?mime=image/jpg References 1. Integrating research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement processes References 2. Research questions, hypotheses, and clinical questions References 3. Gathering and appraising the literature References 4. Theoretical frameworks for research References II. Processes and Evidence Related to Qualitative Research Introduction References 5. Introduction to qualitative research References 6. Qualitative approaches to research References 7. Appraising qualitative research 5 Critique of a qualitative research study References References III. Processes and Evidence Related to Quantitative Research Introduction References 8. Introduction to quantitative research References 9. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs References 10. Nonexperimental designs References 11. Systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines References 12. Sampling References 13. Legal and ethical issues References 6 14. Data collection methods References 15. Reliability and validity References 16. Data analysis: Descriptive and inferential statistics References 17. Understanding research findings References 18. Appraising quantitative research Critique of a quantitative research study Critique of a quantitative research study References References References IV. Application of Research: Evidence-Based Practice Introduction References 19. Strategies and tools for developing an evidence-based practice References 7 20. Developing an evidence-based practice References 21. Quality improvement References Example of a randomized clinical trial (Nyamathi et al., 2015) Nursing case management peer coaching and hepatitis A and B vaccine completion among homeless men recently released on parole Example of a longitudinal/Cohort study (Hawthorne et al., 2016) Parent spirituality grief and mental health at 1 and 3 months after their infant schild s death in an intensive care unit Example of a qualitative study (van dijk et al., 2015) Postoperative patients perspectives on rating pain: A qualitative study Example of a correlational study (Turner et al., 2016) Psychological functioning post traumatic growth and coping in parents and siblings of adolescent cancer survivors Example of a systematic Review/Met ...

1. Nursing
Research
Methods and Critical
Appraisal for Evidence-Based
Practice
NINETH EDITION
Geri LoBiondo-Wood, PhD, RN,
FAAN
Professor and Coordinator, PhD in Nursing Program, University
of Texas
Health Science Center at Houston, School of Nursing, Houston,
Texas
Judith Haber, PhD, RN, FAAN
2
The Ursula Springer Leadership Professor in Nursing, New
York
University, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York, New
York
3

2. Table of Contents
Cover image
Title page
Copyright
About the authors
Contributors
Reviewers
To the faculty
To the student
Acknowledgments
I. Overview of Research and Evidence-Based
Practice
Introduction
4
kindle:embed:0006?mime=image/jpg
References
1. Integrating research, evidence-based practice, and quality
improvement processes
References

3. 2. Research questions, hypotheses, and clinical questions
References
3. Gathering and appraising the literature
References
4. Theoretical frameworks for research
References
II. Processes and Evidence Related to Qualitative
Research
Introduction
References
5. Introduction to qualitative research
References
6. Qualitative approaches to research
References
7. Appraising qualitative research
5
Critique of a qualitative research study

4. References
References
III. Processes and Evidence Related to
Quantitative Research
Introduction
References
8. Introduction to quantitative research
References
9. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs
References
10. Nonexperimental designs
References
11. Systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines
References
12. Sampling
References
13. Legal and ethical issues
References
6

5. 14. Data collection methods
References
15. Reliability and validity
References
16. Data analysis: Descriptive and inferential statistics
References
17. Understanding research findings
References
18. Appraising quantitative research
Critique of a quantitative research study
Critique of a quantitative research study
References
References
References
IV. Application of Research: Evidence-Based
Practice
Introduction

6. References
19. Strategies and tools for developing an evidence-based
practice
References
7
20. Developing an evidence-based practice
References
21. Quality improvement
References
Example of a randomized clinical trial (Nyamathi et al., 2015)
Nursing case management peer coaching and hepatitis A and B
vaccine completion among homeless men recently released on
parole
Example of a longitudinal/Cohort study (Hawthorne et al.,
2016)
Parent spirituality grief and mental health at 1 and 3 months
after
their infant schild s death in an intensive care unit
Example of a qualitative study (van dijk et al., 2015)
Postoperative
patients perspectives on rating pain: A qualitative study
Example of a correlational study (Turner et al., 2016)
Psychological

7. functioning post traumatic growth and coping in parents and
siblings of adolescent cancer survivors
Example of a systematic Review/Meta analysis (Al mallah et
al.,
2015) The impact of nurse led clinics on the mortality and
morbidity
of patients with cardiovascular diseases
Glossary
Index
Special features
8
Copyright
3251 Riverport Lane
St. Louis, Missouri 63043
NURSING RESEARCH: METHODS AND CRITICAL
APPRAISAL
FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE, NINTH EDITION ISBN:
978-
0-323-43131-6
Copyright © 2018 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
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9
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As new research and experience broaden our understanding,
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Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: LoBiondo-Wood, Geri, editor. | Haber, Judith, editor.
Title: Nursing research : methods and critical appraisal for
evidence-based
practice / [edited by] Geri LoBiondo-Wood, Judith Haber.
Other titles: Nursing research (LoBiondo-Wood)
Description: 9th edition. | St. Louis, Missouri : Elsevier, [2018]
|
10

10. Includes
bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017008727 | ISBN 9780323431316 (pbk. :
alk.
paper)
Subjects: | MESH: Nursing Research—methods | Research
Design |
Evidence-Based Nursing—methods
Classification: LCC RT81.5 | NLM WY 20.5 | DDC
610.73072—dc23
LC record available
at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017008727
Executive Content Strategist: Lee Henderson
Content Development Manager: Lisa Newton
Content Development Specialist: Melissa Rawe
Publishing Services Manager: Jeff Patterson
Book Production Specialist: Carol O’Connell
Design Direction: Renee Duenow
Printed in China
Last digit is the print number: 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
11
https://lccn.loc.gov/2017008727
About the authors
Geri LoBiondo-Wood, PhD, RN, FAAN, is Professor and
Coordinator of the PhD in Nursing Program at the University of
Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Nursing

11. (UTHSC-Houston) and former Director of Research and
Evidence-
Based Practice Planning and Development at the MD Anderson
Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. She received her Diploma in
Nursing at St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Rochester,
New York; Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University
of
Rochester; and a PhD in Nursing Theory and Research from
New
York University. Dr. LoBiondo-Wood teaches research and
evidence-based practice principles to undergraduate, graduate,
and
doctoral students. At MD Anderson Cancer Center, she
developed
and implemented the Evidence-Based Resource Unit Nurse (EB-
RUN) Program. She has extensive national and international
experience guiding nurses and other health care professionals in
the
development and utilization of research. Dr. LoBiondo-Wood is
an
Editorial Board member of Progress in Transplantation and a
reviewer for Nursing Research, Oncology Nursing Forum, and
Oncology Nursing. Her research and publications focus on
chronic
12
illness and oncology nursing. Dr. Wood has received funding
from
the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing
Scholars
program for the past several years to fund full-time doctoral
students.

12. Dr. LoBiondo-Wood has been active locally and nationally in
many professional organizations, including the Oncology
Nursing
Society, Southern Nursing Research Society, the Midwest
Nursing
Research Society, and the North American Transplant
Coordinators
Organization. She has received local and national awards for
teaching and contributions to nursing. In 1997, she received the
Distinguished Alumnus Award from New York University,
Division of Nursing Alumni Association. In 2001 she was
inducted
as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and in 2007 as
a
Fellow of the University of Texas Academy of Health Science
Education. In 2012 she was appointed as a Distinguished
Teaching
Professor of the University of Texas System and in 2015
received
the John McGovern Outstanding Teacher Award from the
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of
Nursing.
Judith Haber, PhD, RN, FAAN, is the Ursula Springer
Leadership
Professor in Nursing at the Rory Meyers College of Nursing at
New
York University. She received her undergraduate nursing
education
at Adelphi University in New York, and she holds a Master’s
degree in Adult Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing and a PhD
in
Nursing Theory and Research from New York University. Dr.
Haber is internationally recognized as a clinician and educator
in
psychiatric–mental health nursing. She was the editor of the

13. award-
winning classic textbook, Comprehensive Psychiatric Nursing,
published for eight editions and translated into five languages.
She
has extensive clinical experience in psychiatric nursing, having
been
an advanced practice psychiatric nurse in private practice for
over
13
30 years, specializing in treatment of families coping with the
psychosocial impact of acute and chronic illness. Her NIH-
funded
program of research addressed physical and psychosocial
adjustment to illness, focusing specifically on women with
breast
cancer and their partners and, more recently, breast cancer
survivorship and lymphedema prevention and risk reduction. Dr.
Haber is also committed to an interprofessional program of
clinical
scholarship related to interprofessional education and improving
oral-systemic health outcomes and is the Executive Director of
a
national nursing oral health initiative, the Oral Health Nursing
Education and Practice (OHNEP) program, funded by the
DentaQuest and Washington Dental Service Foundations.
Dr. Haber is the recipient of numerous awards, including the
1995 and 2005 APNA Psychiatric Nurse of the Year Award, the
2005
APNA Outstanding Research Award, and the 1998 ANA
Hildegarde Peplau Award. She received the 2007 NYU
Distinguished Alumnae Award, the 2011 Distinguished

14. Teaching
Award, and the 2014 NYU Meritorious Service Award. In 2015,
Dr.
Haber received the Sigma Theta Tau International Marie
Hippensteel Lingeman Award for Excellence in Nursing
Practice.
Dr. Haber is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and
the
New York Academy of Medicine. Dr. Haber has consulted,
presented, and published widely on evidence-based practice,
interprofessional education and practice, as well as oral-
systemic
health issues.
14
Contributors
Terri Armstrong, PhD, ANP-BC, FAANP, Senior
Investigator,
Neuro-oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National
Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda,
Maryland
Julie Barroso, PhD, ANP, RN, FAAN, Professor and
Department
Chair, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South
Carolina
Carol Bova, PhD, RN, ANP, Professor of Nursing and
Medicine,
Graduate School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts,

15. Worcester, Massachusetts
Dona Rinaldi Carpenter, EdD, RN, Professor and Chair,
University of Scranton, Department of Nursing, Scranton,
Pennsylvania
Maja Djukic, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Rory Meyers
College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New
York
Mei R. Fu, PhD, RN, FAAN, Associate Professor, Rory
Meyers
College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New
York
15
Mattia J. Gilmartin, PhD, RN, Senior Research
Scientist , Executive Director, NICHE Program, Rory Meyers
College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New
York
Deborah J. Jones, PhD, MS, RN, Margaret A.
Barnett/PARTNERS Professorship , Associate Dean for
Professional Development and Faculty Affairs , Associate
Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at
Houston,
School of Nursing, Houston, Texas

16. Carl Kirton, DNP, RN, MBA, Chief Nursing Officer,
University
Hospital, Newark, New Jersey; , Adjunct Faculty, Rory
Meyers
College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New
York
Barbara Krainovich-Miller, EdD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, ANEF,
FAAN, Professor, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New
York
University, New York, New York
Elaine Larson, PhD, RN, FAAN, CIC, Anna C. Maxwell
Professor of Nursing Research , Associate Dean for
Research,
Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York
Melanie McEwen, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, Professor,
University
of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Nursing,
Houston, Texas
Gail D’Eramo Melkus, EdD, ANP, FAAN, Florence &
William
Downs Professor in Nursing Research, Associate Dean for
Research, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York
University,
New York, New York
Susan Sullivan-Bolyai, DNSc, CNS, RN, FAAN, Associate

17. 16
Professor, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York
University,
New York, New York
Marita Titler, PhD, RN, FAAN, Rhetaugh G. Dumas
Endowed
Professor , Department Chair, Department of Systems,
Populations
and Leadership, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann
Arbor, Michigan
Mark Toles, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, University of
North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Nursing, Chapel Hill, North
Carolina
17
Reviewers
Karen E. Alexander, PhD, RN, CNOR, Program Director RN-
BSN, Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, University
of
Houston Clear Lake-Pearland, Houston, Texas
Donelle M. Barnes, PhD, RN, CNE, Associate Professor,
College

18. of Nursing, University of Texas, Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Susan M. Bezek, PhD, RN, ACNP, CNE, Assistant Professor,
Division of Nursing, Keuka College, Keuka Park, New York
Rose M. Kutlenios, PhD, MSN, MN, BSN, ANCC Board
Certification, Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical
Specialist,
ANCC Board Certification, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Nursing
Program Director and Associate Professor, Department of
Nursing,
West Liberty University, West Liberty, West Virginia
Shirley M. Newberry, PhD, RN, PHN, Professor, Department
of
Nursing, Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota
Sheryl Scott, DNP, RN, CNE, Assistant Professor and Chair,
School of Nursing, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin
18
To the faculty
Geri LoBiondo-Wood, [email protected], Judith Haber,
[email protected]
The foundation of the ninth edition of Nursing Research:
Methods and
Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice continues to be
the belief
that nursing research is integral to all levels of nursing
education
and practice. Over the past three decades since the first edition
of

19. this textbook, we have seen the depth and breadth of nursing
research grow, with more nurses conducting research and using
research evidence to shape clinical practice, education,
administration, and health policy.
The National Academy of Medicine has challenged all health
professionals to provide team-based care based on the best
available scientific evidence. This is an exciting challenge.
Nurses,
as clinicians and interprofessional team members, are using the
best
available evidence, combined with their clinical judgment and
patient preferences, to influence the nature and direction of
health
care delivery and document outcomes related to the quality and
cost-effectiveness of patient care. As nurses continue to develop
a
unique body of nursing knowledge through research, decisions
about clinical nursing practice will be increasingly evidence
based.
As editors, we believe that all nurses need not only to
understand
the research process but also to know how to critically read,
evaluate, and apply research findings in practice. We realize
that
understanding research, as a component of evidence-based
practice
and quality improvement practices, is a challenge for every
student,
but we believe that the challenge can be accomplished in a
19

20. stimulating, lively, and learner-friendly manner.
Consistent with this perspective is an ongoing commitment to
advancing implementation of evidence-based practice.
Understanding and applying research must be an integral
dimension of baccalaureate education, evident not only in the
undergraduate nursing research course but also threaded
throughout the curriculum. The research role of baccalaureate
graduates calls for evidence-based practice and quality
improvement competencies; central to this are critical appraisal
skills—that is, nurses should be competent research consumers.
Preparing students for this role involves developing their
critical
thinking skills, thereby enhancing their understanding of the
research process, their appreciation of the role of the critiquer,
and
their ability to actually critically appraise research. An
undergraduate research course should develop this basic level of
competence, an essential requirement if students are to engage
in
evidence-informed clinical decision making and practice, as
well as
quality improvement activities.
The primary audience for this textbook remains undergraduate
students who are learning the steps of the research process, as
well
as how to develop clinical questions, critically appraise
published
research literature, and use research findings to inform
evidence-
based clinical practice and quality improvement initiatives. This
book is also a valuable resource for students at the master’s,
DNP,
and PhD levels who want a concise review of the basic steps of

21. the
research process, the critical appraisal process, and the
principles
and tools for evidence-based practice and quality improvement.
This text is also an important resource for practicing nurses who
strive to use research evidence as the basis for clinical decision
making and development of evidence-based policies, protocols,
and
standards or who collaborate with nurse-scientists in conducting
clinical research and evidence-based practice. Finally, this text
is an
important resource for considering how evidence-based
practice,
quality improvement, and interprofessional collaboration are
essential competencies for students and clinicians practicing in
a
transformed health care system, where nurses and their
interprofessional team members are accountable for the quality
and
cost-effectiveness of care provided to their patient population.
20
Building on the success of the eighth edition, we reaffirm our
commitment to introducing evidence-based practice, quality
improvement processes, and research principles to baccalaureate
students, thereby providing a cutting-edge, research consumer
foundation for their clinical practice. Nursing Research:
Methods and
Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice prepares nursing
students and practicing nurses to become knowledgeable
nursing
research consumers by doing the following:

22. • Addressing the essential evidence-based practice and quality
improvement role of the nurse, thereby embedding evidence-
based competencies in clinical practice.
• Demystifying research, which is sometimes viewed as a
complex
process.
• Using a user-friendly, evidence-based approach to teaching the
fundamentals of the research process.
• Including an exciting chapter on the role of theory in research
and
evidence-based practice.
• Providing a robust chapter on systematic reviews and clinical
guidelines.
• Offering two innovative chapters on current strategies and
tools
for developing an evidence-based practice.
• Concluding with an exciting chapter on quality improvement
and
its application to practice.
• Teaching the critical appraisal process in a user-friendly
progression.
• Promoting a lively spirit of inquiry that develops critical
thinking
and critical reading skills, facilitating mastery of the critical
appraisal process.
• Developing information literacy, searching, and evidence-

23. based
practice competencies that prepare students and nurses to
21
effectively locate and evaluate the best research evidence.
• Emphasizing the role of evidence-based practice and quality
improvement initiatives as the basis for informing clinical
decisions that support nursing practice.
• Presenting numerous examples of recently published research
studies that illustrate and highlight research concepts in a
manner that brings abstract ideas to life for students. These
examples are critical links that reinforce evidence-based
concepts
and the critiquing process.
• Presenting five published articles, including a meta-analysis,
in
the Appendices, the highlights of which are woven throughout
the text as exemplars of research and evidence-based practice.
• Showcasing, in four new inspirational Research Vignettes, the
work of renowned nurse researchers whose careers exemplify
the
links among research, education, and practice.
• Introducing new pedagogical interprofessional education
chapter
features, IPE Highlights and IPE Critical Thinking Challenges
and quality improvement, QSEN Evidence-Based Practice Tips.
• Integrating stimulating pedagogical chapter features that

24. reinforce learning, including Learning Outcomes, Key Terms,
Key Points, Critical Thinking Challenges, Helpful Hints,
Evidence-Based Practice Tips, Critical Thinking Decision Paths,
and numerous tables, boxes, and figures.
• Featuring a revised section titled Appraising the Evidence,
accompanied by an updated Critiquing Criteria box in each
chapter that presents a step of the research process.
• Offering a student Evolve site with interactive review
questions
that provide chapter-by-chapter review in a format consistent
with that of the NCLEX® Examination.
• Offering a Student Study Guide that promotes active learning
and assimilation of nursing research content.
22
• Presenting Faculty Evolve Resources that include a test bank,
TEACH lesson plans, PowerPoint slides with integrated
audience
response system questions, and an image collection. Evolve
resources for both students and faculty also include a research
article library with appraisal exercises for additional practice in
reviewing and critiquing, as well as content updates.
The ninth edition of Nursing Research: Methods and Critical
Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice is organized into four
parts.
Each part is preceded by an introductory section and opens with
an
engaging Research Vignette by a renowned nurse researcher.

25. Part I, Overview of Research and Evidence-Based Practice,
contains four chapters: Chapter 1, “Integrating Research,
Evidence-
Based Practice, and Quality Improvement Processes,” provides
an
excellent overview of research and evidence-based practice
processes that shape clinical practice. The chapter speaks
directly to
students and highlights critical reading concepts and strategies,
facilitating student understanding of the research process and its
relationship to the critical appraisal process. The chapter
introduces
a model evidence hierarchy that is used throughout the text. The
style and content of this chapter are designed to make
subsequent
chapters user friendly. The next two chapters address
foundational
components of the research process. Chapter 2, “Research
Questions, Hypotheses, and Clinical Questions,” focuses on how
research questions and hypotheses are derived, operationalized,
and critically appraised. Students are also taught how to
develop
clinical questions that are used to guide evidence-based inquiry,
including quality improvement projects. Chapter 3, “Gathering
and
Appraising the Literature,” showcases cutting-edge information
literacy content and provides students and nurses with the tools
necessary to effectively search, retrieve, manage, and evaluate
research studies and their findings. Chapter 4, “Theoretical
Frameworks for Research,” is a user-friendly theory chapter that
provides students with an understanding of how theories provide
the foundation of research studies and evidence-based practice
projects.
Part II, Processes and Evidence Related to Qualitative Research,
contains three interrelated qualitative research chapters. Chapter

26. 5,
23
“Introduction to Qualitative Research,” provides an exciting
framework for understanding qualitative research and the
significant contribution of qualitative research to evidence-
based
practice. Chapter 6, “Qualitative Approaches to Research,”
presents, illustrates, and showcases major qualitative methods
using examples from the literature as exemplars. This chapter
highlights the questions most appropriately answered using
qualitative methods. Chapter 7, “Appraising Qualitative
Research,”
synthesizes essential components of and criteria for critiquing
qualitative research reports using published qualitative research
study.
Part III, Processes and Evidence Related to Quantitative
Research, contains Chapters 8 to 18Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter
10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter
15Chapter
16Chapter 17Chapter 18. This group of chapters delineates
essential
steps of the quantitative research process, with published
clinical
research studies used to illustrate each step. These chapters are
streamlined to make the case for linking an evidence-based
approach with essential steps of the research process. Students
are
taught how to critically appraise the strengths and weaknesses
of
each step of the research process in a synthesized critique of a
study. The steps of the quantitative research process, evidence -

27. based concepts, and critical appraisal criteria are synthesized in
Chapter 18 using two published research studies, providing a
model for appraising strengths and weaknesses of studies, and
determining applicability to practice. Chapter 11, a unique
chapter,
addresses the use of the types of systematic reviews that support
an
evidence-based practice as well as the development and
application
of clinical guidelines.
Part IV, Application of Research: Evidence-Based Practice,
contains three chapters that showcase evidence-based practice
models and tools. Chapter 19, “Strategies and Tools for
Developing
an Evidence-Based Practice,” is a revised, vibrant, user-
friendly,
evidence-based toolkit with exemplars that capture the essence
of
high-quality, evidence-informed nursing care. It “walks”
students
and practicing nurses through clinical scenarios and challenges
them to consider the relevant evidence-based practice “tools” to
develop and answer questions that emerge from clinical
situations.
24
Chapter 20, “Developing an Evidence-Based Practice,” offers a
dynamic presentation of important evidence-based practice
models
that promote evidence-based decision making. Chapter 21,
“Quality
Improvement,” is an innovative, engaging chapter that outlines

28. the
quality improvement process with information from current
guidelines. Together, these chapters provide an inspirational
conclusion to a text that we hope motivates students and
practicing
nurses to advance their evidence-based practice and quality
improvement knowledge base and clinical competence,
positioning
them to make important contributions to improving health care
outcomes as essential members of interprofessional teams.
Stimulating critical thinking is a core value of this text.
Innovative
chapter features such as Critical Thinking Decision Paths,
Evidence-Based Practice Tips, Helpful Hints, Critical Thinking
Challenges, IPE Highlights, and QSEN Evidence-Based Practice
Tips enhance critical thinking, promote the development of
evidence-based decision-making skills, and cultivate a positive
value about the importance of collaboration in promoting
evidence-
based, high quality and cost-effective clinical outcomes.
Consistent with previous editions, we promote critical thinking
by including sections called “Appraising the Evidence,” which
describe the critical appraisal process related to the focus of the
chapter. Critiquing Criteria are included in this section to
stimulate
a systematic and evaluative approach to reading and
understanding qualitative and quantitative research and
evaluating
its strengths and weaknesses. Extensive resources are provided
on
the Evolve site that can be used to develop critical thinking and
evidence-based competencies.
The development and refinement of an evidence-based

29. foundation for clinical nursing practice is an essential priority
for
the future of professional nursing practice. The ninth edition of
Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for
Evidence-Based
Practice will help students develop a basic level of competence
in
understanding the steps of the research process that will enable
them to critically analyze research studies, judge their merit,
and
judiciously apply evidence in clinical practice. To the extent
that
this goal is accomplished, the next generation of nursing
professionals will …
Executive Program Practical Connection Assignment
At UC, it is a priority that students are provided with strong
educational programs and courses that allow them to be servant-
leaders in their disciplines and communities, linking research
with practice and knowledge with ethical decision-making. This
assignment is a written assignment where students will
demonstrate how this course research has connected and put
into practice within their own career.
Assignment:
Provide a reflection of at least 500 words (or 2 pages double
spaced) of how the knowledge, skills, or theories of this course
have been applied, or could be applied, in a practical manner to
your current work environment. If you are not currently
working, share times when you have or could observe these
theories and knowledge could be applied to an employment
opportunity in your field of study.
Requirements:
Provide a 500 word (or 2 pages double spaced) minimum
reflection.
Use of proper APA formatting and citations is required. When

30. supporting evidence from outside resources is required, those
must be used and properly cited.
Share a personal connection that identifies specific knowledge
and theories from this course.
Demonstrate a connection to your current work environment. If
you are not employed, demonstrate a connection to your desired
work environment.
Do NOT provide an overview of the assignments assigned in the
course. Doing so will result in a grade of 0. This is a critical
thinking assignment requiring you to apply concepts learned in
this course. The assignment asks that you reflect how the
knowledge and skills obtained through meeting course
objectives were applied or could be applied in the workplace.