Florence Nightingale is considered the pioneer of modern nursing research. In the mid-1800s, she collected data on patient mortality rates in British military hospitals during the Crimean War. She used this data to show that improved sanitation and hygiene could significantly reduce the number of deaths. Her work helped to establish nursing as a profession based on science and evidence.

Since Nightingale’s time, nursing research has evolved in a number of ways. First, the scope of research has expanded to include a wide range of topics, such as nursing interventions, patient outcomes, healthcare systems, and nursing education. Second, the methods used to conduct research have become more sophisticated. Researchers now use a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to collect data and analyze their findings. Third, the importance of research in nursing practice has become increasingly recognized. Nurses are now expected to use evidence from research to inform their practice.

Here are some specific examples of how nursing research has evolved since the Florence Nightingale era:

• In the 1950s and 1960s, nursing research focused on developing and testing nursing interventions. For example, researchers studied the effectiveness of different types of wound dressings and pain management techniques.
• In the 1970s and 1980s, nursing research began to focus on patient outcomes. Researchers studied the impact of nursing care on patient satisfaction, quality of life, and mortality rates.
• In the 1990s and 2000s, nursing research began to focus on healthcare systems and nursing education. Researchers studied the factors that influence the delivery of nursing care and the effectiveness of nursing education programs.
• In recent years, nursing research has focused on emerging areas such as translational science, genomics, and global health.

How research and EBP are different

Research and evidence-based practice (EBP) are two related concepts, but they are not the same. Research is the process of collecting and analyzing data to answer questions about the world around us. EBP is the process of using research evidence to inform practice decisions.

In other words, research is the process of generating knowledge, while EBP is the process of applying that knowledge.

How research supports EBP for nursing

Research supports EBP for nursing in a number of ways. First, research provides nurses with the evidence they need to make informed decisions about patient care. Second, research helps nurses to identify and implement best practices. Third, research helps nurses to evaluate the effectiveness of their practice.

For example, research has shown that the use of evidence-based nursing interventions can improve patient outcomes such as reduced mortality rates, shorter hospital stays, and improved quality of life.

Past/historical unethical breach of research conduct

One past/historical unethical breach of research conduct is the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. This study was conducted by the United States Public Health Service from 1932 to 1972. It involved 600 African American men who were infected with syphilis. The participants were not told that they had syphilis, and they were not offered treatment. The purpose of the study was to study the progression of syphilis in untreated men.

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study is considered to be one of the most unethical research studies ever conducted. It violated a number of ethical principles, including the principle of informed consent and the principle of beneficence.

How to ensure care of a study participant using one ethical or legal research consideration (guideline/principle)

One ethical or legal research consideration that can be used to ensure the care of a study participant is the principle of beneficence. This principle states that researchers must always act in the best interests of their participants.

Here are some ways that researchers can apply the principle of beneficence to ensure the care of study participants:

• Provide participants with all relevant information about the study before they consent to participate.
• Minimize risks to participants and maximize potential benefits.
• Provide participants with access to quality healthcare, both during and after the study.
• Treat participants with respect and dignity.

Conclusion

Nursing research has evolved significantly since the Florence Nightingale era. Today, nursing researchers are conducting cutting-edge research on a wide range of topics. This research is helping to improve the quality of nursing care and patient outcomes.

EBP is the process of using research evidence to inform practice decisions. Research supports EBP for nursing by providing nurses with the evidence they need to make informed decisions about patient care, identifying and implementing best practices, and evaluating the effectiveness of their practice.

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study is a historical example of an unethical research study. This study violated a number of ethical principles, including the principle of informed consent and the principle of beneficence.