Over a period of seven years (1994-2000), the Foundation of Nursing Studies (FoNS) was involved in the development, organisation and evaluation of a number of activities to assist nurses to critically appraise and apply research/evidence in their everyday practice.

Taking Action is based on the findings of three UK-wide pieces of work:

•  The organisation of nine critical appraisal skills (CAS)/research utilisation workshops and a short term evaluation of these which is reported in full in Reflection for Action (FoNS, 1996).

•  A long-term evaluation of the impact of these workshops.

•  A consultation exercise designed to validate and update the findings of the evaluations.

Taking Action reports on the evaluation of this programme of work, and comments on the implications this has for the evolution of evidence-based practice in the light of FoNS' experience in this area. Implications are drawn out not only in terms of the current R&D agenda, but also for education and professional development, trust management, individual practitioners, and indeed for FoNS itself.

Taking Action and a series of associated reports are available to download in PDF format by clicking on the links below.

Taking Action (422KB)
Taking Action - Executive Summary (528KB)
England Preliminary Report (175KB)
Northern Ireland Preliminary Report (179KB)
Scotland Preliminary Report (175KB)
Wales Preliminary Report (180KB)
Consultation Document (111KB)

For further information about this report please contact: theresa.shaw@fons.org