Developing a rationale for research based practice: some considerations for nurse teachers

There is considerable interest in nursing literature regarding the development of research-based practice. This paper considers the implications for nurse teachers advocating a research focus on the problems that arise in practice utilising practitioner and action-based methodologies. The rationale for practitioner action-based approaches is outlined with consideration of the major claims made for the approach in educational literature. The paper concludes with a warning about the limitations of the approach and a statement of its contemporary relevance to nurse education.