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Evaluation of observational research reports published in T urkish nursing journals
Author(s) -
Karaçam Z.,
Şen E.,
Yildirim B.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international nursing review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1466-7657
pISSN - 0020-8132
DOI - 10.1111/inr.12186
Subject(s) - observational study , strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology , medicine , nursing , research design , observational methods in psychology , inclusion (mineral) , family medicine , psychology , pathology , social psychology , social science , sociology
Aim The aim of this literature‐based descriptive study was to examine the reporting of the observational research studies published in peer‐reviewed nursing journals in T urkey. Methods Eleven peer‐reviewed nursing journals printed on a regular basis in T urkey between 2007 and 2012 were selected. These journals were searched for observational research studies, and 502 studies were selected and examined by using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Statement. Results Of the 502 studies, 495 were cross‐sectional, 3 were cohort, and 4 were case controlled. Summary and introduction and aim sections were sufficient in most of the studies. The methods sections of the reports were mostly not reported: 64.3% of the reports did not indicate eligibility/inclusion criteria; sampling method, 67.0%; possible sources of bias, 99.2%; ways to reach sample size, 92.6%. In the results section, the number of individuals participating in each stage of the studies (44.0%) and in other analyses made (39.2%) was not reported. In the discussion section, a main comment about research findings was partly made (97.4%), and limitations of the studies and possible sources of bias were not written in 99.0% of the studies. Conclusions This study clearly revealed that the observational research studies published in nursing journals in T urkey did not fulfil the important criteria and needed to be improved. Implications for nursing and health policy Information obtained from this study can contribute to improvement of the quality of reporting observational studies in nursing and thus using obtained findings in practice.