Nursing research is the term used to describe the evidence used to support Nursing practice. Nursing, as an evidence based area of practice, has been developing since the time of Florence Nightingale, but more recently throughout the 20th century. Nurse education places emphasis upon
the use of evidence from research in order to rationalise nursing interventions. In England and Wales courts may determine whether or not a nurse acted reasonably based upon whether or not their intervention was supported by research.
Nursing research falls largely into two areas:
- quantitative research, focused upon outcomes for clients, and
- qualitative research, which is focused upon the experience of those receiving or delivering the nursing care.
Recently in the UK action research has become increasingly popular in nursing.
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