Introduction:
Other authors in this volume have argued for the need to undertake
audit and research related to nurse practitioner practice. Audit
and research require skills in competently reviewing literature
on a topic, developing an answerable question and devising an
appropriate design and methodology. However, these are not
the only aspects that need consideration before commencing the
data collection phase. Too often clinicians successfully review the
literature, identify the question, design and methods and then
launch into the ‘doing’ of the project without also planning how
data will be managed and analysed. The organising and processing
of data are just as important as any other phase of the project, but
these components of a successful project are often overlooked in
the planning stages