key: cord-0959524-hp544rkk
authors: Mignone, Alex
title: The Dangers of Flawed Methodology in Research: Our Patient's Lives Depend on Us to be the Knowledge Brokers
date: 2021-04-02
journal: Clin Nurse Spec
DOI: 10.1097/nur.0000000000000588
sha: b084a81ab6ab324948e513ae5d22b1b241382831
doc_id: 959524
cord_uid: hp544rkk

nan

The manuscripts that were retracted had common concerns that warrant remembering and paying close attention to so that the future learns from the past. Data falsification, methodological concerns, and research participation privacy concerns were the issues that surfaced from the retracted publications. 2 The common theme from all the retracted publications to date has been methodological issues. 2 There is also the issue of preprint servers-even though the authors state clearly that the manuscripts should be viewed in totality and not to be used for clinical decision making. It is essential for all researchers to adhere to the same principles during pandemics as they do normally. Consulting ethics committees and doing quality checks and rechecks of all data and analysis are standard work of all researchers. Ethical researchers have always undertaken ethics and integrity training and adhere to the principles.

A robust review of COVID-19 data is essential to disseminating scientific information that will save lives. 6 There is a greater need now to involve dedicated professionals who are experts in their field of research and skilled in synthesizing evidence and distinguishing scientific information from misinformation, and then disseminating through proven platforms and social media to reach millions of readers quickly. During times of pandemics, finding and securing expert reviewers are problematic, and manuscripts may take many weeks to go through the review process, which may affect the usefulness of the results once published, as new research continues to emerge. Journals have many issues to deal with as the number of submissions for COVID-19 is substantial.

TRUSTING PROVEN AND RELIABLE DATA SOURCES Systematic Review and Meta-analysis; Implementing Evidence-Based Practice As the COVID-19 pandemic impacts countries globally, local and national care interventions are being developed to support health systems. These interventions are based on the best available evidence. Relying on flawed logic without sound evidence, as demonstrated by the promotion of chloroquine phosphate, is confusing and even harmful. 7 This treatment that was initially thought to inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in vitro was later found to cause death with sustained use. 8 The sheer volume of published research can be a barrier to identifying the most reliable sources of information. 9 This problem is made worse when those seeking to benefit from the findings do not possess the skills to decipher valid from questionable evidence. 10 Guidance for the improvement of healthcare services should involve evidence that considers the feasibility, appropriateness, meaningfulness, and effectiveness of healthcare practices at both the system and organization level. These criteria are consistent with the JBI model of evidence synthesis and translation (Figure) . 11, 12 Knowledge Brokers: Translating Reliable Recommendations

The Canadian Institute of Health Research defines knowledge translation as the synthesis, dissemination, exchange, and ethically sound application of knowledge to improve health and the health system. 13 Depending on its purpose, knowledge translation is a social and interactive process between those producing the research and those who need it. 14, 15 One of the many journals for disseminating and implementing evidence-based practice is JBI Evidence Implementation. JBI Evidence Implementation is an international online journal publishing reliable findings developed from the JBI model that informs and furthers the science and practice of evidence-based healthcare. The journal publishes in association with a network of knowledge brokers who help classify and highlight the best evidence by acting as intermediaries who can facilitate collaborations and the transfer of reliable information between researchers and end-users. These enablers of knowledge exchange willingly promote and offer insight on the published research for the benefit of users and can influence and assist health systems by evaluating the quality of the evidence from an informed practice perspective. 10 For those who are clinical based and less experienced interpreting scientific data, brokers translate the best outcomes in language that can be easily understood and implemented. Brokers with a strong practice understanding can identify the potential for policy discussions where FIGURE. JBI model of evidence synthesis and translation. the research could help inform workplace practice. Individuals with diverse experience in research, clinical practice, and decision or policymaking are well suited to knowledge brokering. 10 Brokers offer commentary in writing, video, or podcast that is made available via the journal platform. This type of dissemination is done by many journals to encourage all types of readers to gain knowledge. Although this community of knowledge exchange is relatively informal, it is effective at bringing together world-leading experts from different fields to discuss, consider, and identify the best available evidence regarding common healthcare issues.

The clinical nurse specialist is a critical link in this whole process. More than ever, the clinical nurse specialist serves as the expert in ensuring evidence-based practice is used when present and generating new evidence. Connecting researchers with research users and partnering both in the research process are strong predictors that the most reliable research findings will be used and that the research endeavor overall will achieve a greater impact. 10 Using journals such as JBI and the Clinical Nurse Specialist Journal to connect nurses to the research and the "how to" implement the research findings will accelerate evidence-based practice. Using all types of media such as podcasts is another avenue for nurses to further their knowledge of the information in the journals presenting snapshots of the work published.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 outbreak on frontline nurses: a cross-sectional survey study

The carnage of substandard research during the COVID-19 pandemic: a call for quality

Retractionhydroxychloroquine or chloroquine with or without a macrolide for treatment of COVID-19: a multinational registry analysis

Retraction-cardiovascular disease, drug therapy, and mortality in COVID-19

Effectiveness of surgical and cotton masks in blocking SARS-CoV-2: a controlled comparison in 4 patients

Monitoring information flow on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Guidance to implementing evidence-based initiatives to manage pandemics in healthcare services: a discussion paper

Treatment of severe chloroquine poisoning

Knowledge translation of research findings

Moving knowledge to action through dissemination and exchange

JBI handbook for evidence implementation

Redeveloping the JBI model of evidence based healthcare

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Knowledge Translation: A Research Matters Toolkit Bridging the "Know-Do" Gap: A Resource Guide for Researchers. Ottawa, Canada: International Development Research Centre

Enabling the implementation of evidence based practice: a conceptual framework