The Simulation Research Rubric: A Pilot Study Evaluating Published Simulation Studies

It is important to assess the effectiveness of simulation through research. This pilot project used the Simulation Research Rubric developed in 2014 to appraise the quality of published simulation research. Sixty-nine simulation-based research articles published in the Clinical Simulation in Nursing journal in 2013 to 2014 were scored by an eight-member team using the Simulation Research Rubric. Of the 69 articles reviewed, 15 (21.8%) received a rating of excellent (76%-100%), 47 (68.1%) were rated as good (51%-75%), and 7 (10.1%) were rated as fair (26%-50%). In conclusion, the strengths and weaknesses of two years of published simulation-based research reports were identified. Recommendations were made to improve reporting, which may strengthen the evidence guiding simulation in education and practice. In addition, results may be used to guide the design of published research in the future.