Which statement(s) regarding historical research in nursing is (are) true? Standard Text: Select all that apply

Question

1. Historical research is of interest only to doctoral students completing dissertations.
2. Primary sources for historical information are rare.
3. Linking past events to future happenings is the primary reason for conducting historical research.
4. Historical research is not recognized as valid research, but is just reporting on the past.
5. Most historical research has been done on historical figures rather than on the practice of nursing.

Answer 1

3,5
Rationale 1: Whereas much of this research has been completed by doctoral students, interest in historical research is not limited to those nurses.
Rationale 2: There are many examples of primary sources: oral histories, written records, diaries, eyewitnesses, pictorial sources, and physical evidence.
Rationale 3: Whereas many readers are simply interested in reading about the past, the primary reason for any nursing research is to improve the provision of nursing services. Applying knowledge of past events to current happenings is a good way to make use of the work of those nurses who have gone before us.
Rationale 4: Historical research is a valid type of nursing research.
Rationale 5: This is a true statement. More research into the actual historical practice of nursing is needed.