Useful resources

This learning area has been compiled from a range of evidence. You may now be motivated to go deeper into the topic so a range of different resources are listed below and wherever possible we have tried to create direct links to them. Where direct linking is not possible we provide information on where sources can be accessed. These listings will get you started and as a lifelong learner you will be able to identify other sources beyond these that are specifically relevant to you.

If you find other useful material then perhaps you could share this by providing the details, or even writing a review and submitting this to learning.zone@rcn.org.uk where we will consider it for addition to the site.

If you don't find what you want in the list then good starting points for further exploration are the RCN Library Catalogue for books or the BNI (British Nursing Index) database for journals.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the RCN, select the link: Join the RCN.

Books

Aveyard H (2010) Doing a literature review in health and social care (second edition), Maidenhead: Open University Press. Available to borrow from RCN UK Library.
Craig J and Smyth R (editors) (2007) The evidence-based practice manual for nurses, Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. Available to borrow from RCN UK Library.
Culley L and Dyson S (2010) Ethnicity and healthcare practice: a guide for the primary care team, London: Quay. Available to borrow from RCN UK Library.
Greenhalgh T (2010) How to read a paper: the basics of evidence-based medicine (fourth edition), Chichester: Wiley Blackwell. Available online by opening this link and selecting "URL" in the new window. (RCN membership required)
National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2007) How to change practice: understand, identify and overcome barriers to change, London: NICE. Available online by opening this link and selecting "URL" in the new window. (RCN membership required)

Journals

Full text versions of the following articles are available to RCN members via the e-Library. Select the following link to login and gain direct access the full text version: RCN members.

Coughlan M, Cronin P and Ryan F (2007) Step-by-step guide to critiquing research, part 1: quantitative research, British Journal of Nursing, 16 (11), 14 June, pp.658-663.
Devitt P, Hardicre J and Coad J (2007) Writing for publication: ten steps to getting your paper published in a professional journal, British Journal of Nursing, 16 (5), 8-21 March, pp.290-291.
Gordon, J. and Watts, C. (2011) Applying skills and knowledge: Principle of Nursing Practice F, Nursing Standard, 25 (33), 20 April, pp.35-37.
Ingham-Broomfield R (2009) A nurses’ guide to the critical reading of research, Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 26 (1), September-November, pp.102-109.
Ryan F, Coughlan M and Cronin P (2007) Step-by-step guide to critiquing research, part 2: qualitative research, British Journal of Nursing, 16 (12), 28 June, pp.738-744.
Wright, K and Ferns, T (2010) Simple writing skills for students, part 2: researching your subject, British Journal of Nursing, 19 (17), 23 September, pp.1118-1120.

Websites

Bandolier: Critical appraisal
Guidelines and Audit Implementation Network (GAIN) (Northern Ireland)
NHS Choices Behind the Headlines - this NHS website publishes the reports behind topical media health-related headlines
NHS e-libraries - This RCN web page has details of what is available on the 4 national NHS e-libraries and links to them
RCN e-library
RCN website: Nursing practice issues - Prinicples of Nursing Practice
TRIP - Turning Research Into Practice