What is your first choice when looking for theoretical, clinical or research articles?

Choosing refereed or peer-reviewed journals as the primary source for theoretical, clinical, or research articles is essential because these journals uphold rigorous standards of quality and reliability in research. Peer review involves evaluation by experts in the field before publication, ensuring that the studies presented have undergone thorough scrutiny for validity, methodology, and significance. This process helps ensure that the findings are credible and applicable to clinical practice, making them an indispensable resource for nursing research.

In contrast, print resources from personal collections may not always be up-to-date or validated, as they can vary widely in quality and relevance. Articles available on social media often lack the rigor of academic scrutiny and may be biased or based on incomplete information. Personal blogs on health topics, while potentially insightful, usually do not adhere to scholarly standards and can include unverified or anecdotal claims, which diminishes their reliability as a source of evidence for research or practice. Thus, peer-reviewed journals are the most trustworthy and authoritative sources for nurses seeking evidence-based information.