The terms “common practice” and “best practice” are often used interchangeably but they have distinct differences. Common practice refers to the usual or customary way of doing something within a specific setting or industry. It is the prevailing approach that is commonly accepted and followed by practitioners. On the other hand, best practice refers to the most effective and efficient way of doing something based on evidence and research.
In the context of nursing, clinical practice involves the procedures and processes followed by nurses to provide patient care. Nurses often learn these practices from experienced colleagues or through formal orientation sessions. However, as nurses gain experience and develop their expertise, they may question the rationale behind these practices. Clinical inquiry arises when nurses start asking why things are done in a particular way and whether there is evidence to support these practices.
The main goal of clinical inquiry is to continuously improve patient care by critically examining current practices and seeking evidence-based alternatives. Nurses should not simply accept common practice without questioning its validity and efficiency. Instead, they should strive to determine if a particular practice is a best practice, meaning it is supported by research and proven to be effective and efficient.
In this assignment, you will be identifying clinical areas of interest and inquiry, and practice searching for research that either supports maintaining current practices or proposes changes to these practices. To do this, you will need to analyze the methodologies employed in peer-reviewed articles related to your clinical areas of interest.
The matrix worksheet that is provided will assist you in analyzing the methodologies employed in the selected articles. It is important to carefully evaluate the research methodologies used in these articles to determine the quality and reliability of the findings. The worksheet will guide you in documenting key aspects of each article’s methodology, such as the research design, sample size, data collection methods, and statistical analysis techniques used.
By analyzing the methodologies employed in each article, you will be able to compare and contrast the approaches taken by different researchers. This will help you identify trends, strengths, and limitations in the research related to your clinical areas of interest. It will also provide you with a foundation for further examining the evidence and making informed decisions about maintaining or changing current practices.
To complete this assignment, you will need to read each of the four peer-reviewed articles that you have selected. These articles should be relevant to your clinical areas of interest and address the research questions you have identified. The links provided can be used to access the articles through the Walden University Library.
After reading each article, use the Matrix Worksheet template to analyze the methodologies employed in each study. The analysis should include key details about the research design, sample size, data collection methods, and statistical analysis techniques. By completing this analysis, you will be able to compare and contrast the methodologies used in each article, identify any gaps or limitations in the research, and determine the overall strength of the evidence presented.
In conclusion, the difference between common practice and best practice lies in the evidence and research that supports them. As a nurse, it is important to engage in clinical inquiry to question common practices and seek evidence-based best practices. This assignment will guide you in identifying clinical areas of interest, searching for relevant research, and analyzing the methodologies employed in peer-reviewed articles. By engaging in this process, you will be able to make informed decisions about maintaining or changing current practices in order to improve patient care.
