An Investigation of Replication Practice in Nursing Education Research

Abstract

Abstract AIM The project aims to explore replication, as a concept and practice, in nursing education research. BACKGROUND Replication practices are important features supporting the science of nursing education. The absence of replication studies in the wider education community raises questions about the potential for similar absences in nursing education. As such, an investigation into replication practices within nursing education provides directions for future discussion. METHOD Using Scopus and databases of nursing education journals, three search strategies were launched to assess replication practices using bibliometric data and content analysis. RESULTS Inconsistency in definitions of the term replication creates barriers to recognizing replication attempts in the body of literature. Based on bibliometric data and content analysis, conceptual replication appears to be common in highly cited nursing education research. CONCLUSION Within the academic nursing community, consensus on the meaning of the term and promotion of practices that support replication is recommended.