The main reason for research to be evaluated and critiqued is due to evidence based practice. Evidence based practice is a method of problem solving, which includes identifying the clinical problem, searching literature, evaluating the research evidence and then deciding on the interventions (White 1997). The Department of Health (1997) emphasises the importance of using evidence based practice in all nursing situations to assist nurses in providing the best possible care available. Nursing care involves a wide range of interventions and therefore draws on a diverse evidence base of knowledge and research (Pearson et al 2002). When providing evidence in practice it is important to ensure that records are accurately maintained in order for the evidence to be reliable.
When carrying out Evidence Based Practice it is important to start off with a clear aim or outcome that needs to be achieved. In this case a specific question is the focus of the research in the hope of locating articles which answer the question. Therefore in relation to the question the articles will show parents experiences of caring for a child with autism, while comparing the different experiences parents encounter.
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