Oral Testimony As a Research Method in Nursing

Nursing research involves the utilization of varying methods for information gathering and analysis. Oral testimony is a research method that complements other methods, such as qualitative or quantitative analysis.

Potential

• Oral testimony can be used as a standalone basis for evidence but is often used as a complement to other research, particularly qualitative research. Providing additional, complex information and shedding light on significant issues are the potential attractions of oral testimony.

Benefits

• Conducting oral testimony research means the nursing professionals can ask questions customized for the research subject. It also means that they can probe the research subject for additional information.

  The nursing professionals can also gather other information during an oral testimony, such as a sense of the subject's emotion, socioeconomic status and appearance. There is considerable value in oral testimony.

Considerations

• Conducting research involves many factors, and successful selection of research methodologies is one of the criteria involved. Considering whether oral testimony is the best method or one of many methods, or whether it is appropriate at all, is part of the decisions required by an effective research team. However, nursing professionals must consider privacy and ethical implications associated with conducting research of subjects.