Developing a robust evidence base for nursing

Abstract

Systematic reviews provide robust evidence for nursing practice because of the exhaustiveness of search, the critical appraisal methods to determine the risks of bias, and synthesis methods that pool evidence to increase the power of statistical estimates or credibility of aggregated metasynthesis of qualitative findings. More consistency in publication standards will enhance the rigor of available evidence and allow nursing to live up to the promise of best available evidence.

Keywords: Best available evidence; Cochrane Collaboration; Joanna Briggs Institute; PRISMA; Systematic review.