| Sumario: | With the Court's overwhelming reliance on Federal Rule of Evidence (FRE) 702 and the gate-keeping function of the judge for admissibility of expert testimony, it has never been more incumbent on the legal nurse consultant (LNC) to locate, interpret, and critique the medical literature of evidence-based medicine (EBM). Published in the Winter 2007 issue, Part I examined the need for and importance of scientific literature in court. Unquestionably, research is conducted in all fields of professional study, and published reports likewise result, but the LNC's focus is EBM in scientific research. As Registered Nurses (RNs), we utilize scientific research in our patient care and evaluate patient outcomes in daily practice. As LNCs, we possess the insider's knowledge that only results from immersion in practice. This primer for the novice LNC or attorney new to reading medical research will examine the pitfalls of scientific publication and the benefits of critical analysis of the scientific article. The intent of this article is to provide the reader with a basic understanding of scientific design and is intentionally limited in its scope, as true comprehension of scientific principles is a life-long journey. This article concludes with a list of online resources and a glossary of terms to assist the dedicated traveler in taking their first steps.
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