Questionable Research Practices: p-Hacking.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education Research
• Research Integrity
• Scientific Methodology

Background:

• Questionable research practices pose a threat to scientific advancement.
• P-hacking, a specific concern, can lead to unreliable findings in nursing studies.
• The Methodology Corner highlights critical issues in research for 2025.

Purpose of the Study:

• To raise awareness about p-hacking within the nursing education community.
• To provide actionable recommendations for preventing p-hacking.
• To safeguard the quality and reliability of nursing education literature.

Main Methods:

• This column focuses on the concept and implications of p-hacking.
• It reviews the potential negative impacts of p-hacking on nursing education research.
• Recommendations are developed based on current understanding of research best practices.

Main Results:

• P-hacking can distort research findings, leading to erroneous conclusions.
• The prevalence of p-hacking undermines the credibility of published nursing research.
• Proactive measures are necessary to mitigate the risks associated with p-hacking.

Conclusions:

• The nursing education community must actively combat p-hacking.
• Implementing the provided recommendations can enhance research rigor.
• Protecting the integrity of nursing education literature is a collective responsibility.