The Role of Qualitative Research in Evidence-Based Practice

Abstract

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE ensures that the best care is provided to patients and families, and the results include improved patient outcomes and satisfaction. As nurses master evidence-based practice, they are faced with searching out the best evidence to support assessments and interventions, refine policies, and develop new practices. Determining what is strong evidence and what is not is a complex task. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods generate valuable knowledge for our practice; however, it is critical to identify which type of evidence provides the best answers for specific practice questions. Quantitative evidence provides the empiric knowing necessary for practice, and qualitative evidence supports the personal and experiential knowing critical for practice. Qualitative research presents its findings through participants’ words and stories, which are easily applied to nursing care practices. Nurses are attracted to qualitative research because its methods and findings often emulate the art of nursing practice, where understanding the whole patient and knowing patients individually matters. Yet qualitative research has not always been considered sound evidence for practice.1 It has been accorded lesser importance than quantitative research, which has been the gold standard. Researchers are working to justify the importance of qualitative research to clinicians and fellow researchers and to identify its role in evidence-based practice.2,3