Full Answer Section

1. • Justice: Fair distribution of benefits and burdens of research; equitable selection of participants.
   • Confidentiality and Anonymity: Protecting participants’ privacy and ensuring their data cannot be linked back to them.
2. Scientific Rigor: Research must be conducted systematically and methodologically sound to ensure the reliability and validity of findings. This involves:
   • Clear Research Question: A well-defined, answerable question (often in PICOT format for clinical questions).
   • Appropriate Design: Selecting a research design (e.g., experimental, descriptive, qualitative) that best answers the question.
   • Sound Methodology: Using valid and reliable data collection instruments, appropriate sampling techniques, and rigorous data analysis methods.
   • Objectivity: Striving to minimize bias in all stages of the research process.
3. Relevance and Impact: Research should address pertinent clinical problems or gaps in knowledge that have the potential to improve patient outcomes, enhance healthcare efficiency, or inform policy.
4. Dissemination: Research findings must be effectively communicated to the wider healthcare community through publications, presentations, and conferences to translate knowledge into practice.
5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Nursing research often benefits from collaboration with other healthcare professionals (physicians, pharmacists, therapists) and researchers from diverse fields to provide comprehensive insights.

Principles of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

EBP is the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. It is not just about research; it integrates three core components:

1. Best External Evidence: This refers to the most current, clinically relevant, and scientifically sound research findings, typically from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and well-designed observational studies. It also considers clinical practice guidelines.
2. Individual Clinical Expertise: This encompasses the clinician’s accumulated experience, education, clinical skills, and understanding of the patient’s unique health situation. It involves using critical thinking and clinical judgment to interpret the evidence in the context of the patient.
3. Patient Values and Preferences: This emphasizes the importance of considering the patient’s unique values, beliefs, cultural background, expectations, and personal circumstances when making clinical decisions. Shared decision-making is central to this principle.