Meta-analysis research.

Abstract

Beginning with Florence Nightingale, nurses have attempted to base their practice on the best evidence. Research findings often form part of the evidence for practice. The proliferation of studies and the frequent contradictory findings between studies make it difficult to determine the scientific basis for practice. Increasingly, nurses are finding meta-analysis research reports on important practice topics. This article provides an overview of key features of meta-analyses to enable nurses to determine whether meta-analyses findings are valid and useful for their practice.