Nursing Research Tips

What’s at the Top? Understanding Levels of Evidence

Not all research is created equal. In this episode, we break down the evidence pyramid to help you understand how different types of studies stack up in terms of reliability and applicability. From expert opinion to systematic reviews, we’ll guide you through when to trust what—and when to dig deeper. Whether you’re a student, practicing nurse, or research-curious listener, this episode will sharpen your ability to pick the best evidence for the job.
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Disclaimer: The content presented within this podcast episode is meant for informational purposes only. No content is intended to be considered professional health care advice for the diagnosis or treatment of any conditions. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speaker(s) and do not represent any formal organization or academic entity.

Now That I Found It… How Do I Read It?

You’ve finally found a research article that might answer your clinical question—but now what? In this episode, we break down how to actually read a research study without zoning out or getting lost in the jargon. From scanning abstracts to appraising methods and spotting red flags, this episode will teach you how to tell if an article is trustworthy, relevant, and worth your time. Whether you’re a student, a bedside nurse, or just research-curious—this one's for you.
Intro/Closing Music provided royalty-free within Soundtrap "Lucid-Synth Pad 02." Other music featured in this podcast episode includes “Dark Chi-Ambient Piano Chords 2” and “Dark Chi-Autumn Piano 05.” All sound clips provided royalty-free within Soundtrap.
Disclaimer: The content presented within this podcast episode is meant for informational purposes only. No content is intended to be considered professional health care advice for the diagnosis or treatment of any conditions. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speaker(s) and do not represent any formal organization or academic entity.

Find it Like a Pro: Smart Searching for EBP Evidence

Struggling to find the right research for your evidence-based practice project? In this episode, we break down exactly how to search smarter, not harder. Learn how to pull key terms from your PICO question, avoid common pitfalls (like Google Scholar rabbit holes), and evaluate whether what you’ve found actually fits your clinical question. We also share tips on organizing search results, using filters effectively, and setting up alerts that do the work for you. If you’re tired of sifting through endless articles and still not finding what you need—this episode is for you.
Intro/Closing Music provided royalty-free within Soundtrap "Lucid-Synth Pad 02." Other music featured in this podcast episode includes “Lucid-Celesta 04,” “Dark Ice-Interstellar (Instrumental),” and “Vertigo-Chill Synth Chords 02.” All sound clips provided royalty-free within Soundtrap.
Disclaimer: The content presented within this podcast episode is meant for informational purposes only. No content is intended to be considered professional health care advice for the diagnosis or treatment of any conditions. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speaker(s) and do not represent any formal organization or academic entity.

PICO, PIO, and Picking Better Questions

What makes a great evidence-based practice (EBP) question? In this episode, we break down the difference between background and foreground questions, walk through the PICO and PIO frameworks, and tackle the most common mistakes students and clinicians make when developing clinical questions. Whether you're just starting out or want to sharpen your inquiry skills, this episode will help you write questions that actually lead to meaningful, practice-changing evidence.
Intro/Closing Music provided royalty-free within Soundtrap "Lucid-Synth Pad 02." Other music featured in this podcast episode includes “Lucid-Piano Chords 20.” All sound clips provided royalty-free within Soundtrap.
Disclaimer: The content presented within this podcast episode is meant for informational purposes only. No content is intended to be considered professional health care advice for the diagnosis or treatment of any conditions. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speaker(s) and do not represent any formal organization or academic entity.

From Theory to Practice: Choosing and Using Frameworks in Nursing Projects

In this episode, we explore what theoretical frameworks are and why they’re important in nursing research, education, and practice. You’ll learn the difference between theories, models, and frameworks, with examples from commonly used theories and models. We also share tips for choosing the right framework and how research librarians and mentors can help. Whether you’re new to nursing research or looking to sharpen your project planning, this episode will help you build a strong foundation for success.
Intro/Closing Music provided royalty-free within Soundtrap "Lucid-Synth Pad 02." Other music featured in this podcast episode includes “Lucid-Upright Piano 02,” “Oaks-Piano 16,” and “Lucid-Piano Chords 19.” All sound clips provided royalty-free within Soundtrap.
Disclaimer: The content presented within this podcast episode is meant for informational purposes only. No content is intended to be considered professional health care advice for the diagnosis or treatment of any conditions. The views and opinions expressed in this episode

Epistemology: How Do Nurses Know What They Know?

In this episode of Nursing Research Tips, we unpack one of the most foundational—and often overlooked—concepts in nursing: epistemology, or the study of how we know what we know. From Carper’s classic Four Ways of Knowing to Chinn’s powerful addition of emancipatory knowing, you’ll learn how different types of knowledge shape the questions nurses ask, the research they pursue, and the care they provide. Whether you're a student, educator, or practicing nurse, this episode offers fresh insight into how your thinking impacts your practice.
Intro/Closing Music provided royalty-free within Soundtrap "Lucid-Synth Pad 02." Other music featured in this podcast episode includes “Piano-Pluck 1,” “Dark Chi-Ambient Piano Chords 1,” “Lucid-Celesta 02,” and “Monarch-Deep Piano 01.” All sound clips provided royalty-free within Soundtrap.
Disclaimer: The content presented within this podcast episode is meant for informational purposes only. No content is intended to be considered professional health care advice for the diagnosis or treatment of any conditions. The views and opinions expressed in this episode

Quant or Qual? Breaking Down Research Approaches

Not all research speaks the same language—some use numbers, others use stories. In this episode, we break down the essential differences between quantitative and qualitative nursing research, including their philosophical roots, types of questions they answer, and how each approach adds value to evidence-based practice. We’ll also touch on mixed methods research and clear up the difference between methods and methodology. Whether you’re skimming a journal article or joining a project team, this episode helps you become a sharper consumer of nursing science.
Intro/Closing Music provided royalty-free within Soundtrap "Lucid-Synth Pad 02. "Other music featured in this podcast episode include “Lucid Upright Piano 01” and “Crate Piano - Kiyoto 04.” All sound clips provided royalty-free within Soundtrap.
Disclaimer: The content presented within this podcast episode is meant for informational purposes only. No content is intended to be considered professional health care advice for the diagnosis or treatment of any conditions. The views and opinions expressed in this episode

This Isn't Research...It's Quality Improvement

In this episode of Nursing Research Tips, we explore Quality Improvement (QI) — what it is, how it differs from nursing research and evidence-based practice, and why it’s essential for improving patient care right now. Learn how the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle drives continuous improvement through small, practical changes in your clinical setting. Plus, discover simple ways you can get involved in QI initiatives on your unit and start making a difference today.
Intro/Closing Music provided royalty-free within Soundtrap "Lucid-Synth Pad 02. "Other music featured in this podcast episode includes “Oaks Electric Guitar 04” and “Oaks Piano 05.” All sound clips provided royalty-free within Soundtrap.
Disclaimer: The content presented within this podcast episode is meant for informational purposes only. No content is intended to be considered professional health care advice for the diagnosis or treatment of any conditions. The views and opinions expressed in this episode

What's EBP Got to Do with It?

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is more than just applying research findings—it’s about integrating the best available evidence, clinical expertise, patient preferences, and practical constraints to guide care decisions. In this episode, we define EBP, break down how it differs from nursing research and quality improvement (QI), and explain why understanding these differences matters. You’ll also get quick tips for spotting EBP in action and applying it in everyday practice.
 
Intro/Closing Music provided royalty-free within Soundtrap "Lucid-Synth Pad 02. "Other music featured in this podcast episode include “Lucid Sad Synth Lead 01” and “Lucid Sad Synth Lead 03.” All sound clips provided royalty-free within Soundtrap.
 
Disclaimer: The content presented within this podcast episode is meant for informational purposes only. No content is intended to be considered professional health care advice for the diagnosis or treatment of any conditions. The views and opinions expressed in this episode

What is Nursing Research, Anyway?

On today’s episode, we are going to go backwards because I never got a chance to formally introduce myself, this podcast in general, and my vision for the future of this podcast. After we set that groundwork, the remaining goal of this episode is to define nursing research in general with a couple of examples while also explaining why nursing research matters. You’ll discover how nursing research relates to other healthcare-related research fields and one example of how nursing-specific research has changed real-world nursing practice.
Listeners are also encouraged to reach out to the host to share any potential future topics they’d like to hear covered on this podcast. In addition, if you are a nursing researcher who has published a body of work that you’d love to share on this venue, please use this same feedback form to give me more information, including your email address so I can reach out in the future. Here is the link for listener interaction: https://forms.office.com/r/FWGv4rXMUM
Intro/Closing Music provided royalty-free within Soundtrap "Lucid-Synth Pad 02. "Other music featured in this podcast episode include “Lucid Sad Synth Lead 01,” “Lucid Sad Synth Lead 03,” and “Lucid After Lead 01.” All sound clips provided royalty-free within Soundtrap.
Disclaimer: The content presented within this podcast episode is meant for informational purposes only. No content is intended to be considered professional health care advice for the diagnosis or treatment of any conditions. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speaker(s) and do not represent any formal organization or academic entity.