Evidence for practice, epistemology, and critical reflection

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Epistemology
• Philosophy of Science

Background:

• Evidence-based practice (EBP) is central to ethical and accountable nursing.
• Current EBP models may overvalue scientific evidence, undervaluing clinical judgment and expertise.
• A critical analysis of EBP's conceptual underpinnings is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the empiricist basis of knowledge claims in nursing.
• To challenge the positivist view that only scientific evidence is credible.
• To propose a broader understanding of evidence and its critical reflection in nursing.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of evidence-based practice.
• Exploration of empiricist and positivist epistemologies.
• Argumentation for critical reflection on diverse evidence sources.

Main Results:

• Knowledge claims can be based on evidence beyond traditional scientific research.
• Critical reflection is a key component of empirical epistemology.
• Integrating evidence from science, arts, humanities, and practice experience is valuable.

Conclusions:

• Nursing knowledge and expert practice benefit from explicit critical reflection on diverse evidence.
• EBP should encompass clinical judgment and nursing expertise alongside scientific data.
• A broader epistemological approach supports robust nursing practice without relying on non-reducible concepts like intuition.