Line of reasoning as a representation of nurses' clinical decision making

Line of reasoning (LOR) is offered as an alternative representation of clinical decision making for studies using protocol analysis and Operationalization of LOR in the form of templates and narratives enhances systematic data interpretation and coding.

Abstract

Line of reasoning (LOR) is offered as an alternative representation of clinical decision making for studies using protocol analysis. A LOR is defined as an argument or set of arguments leading to a conclusion. Because LOR combines both knowledge and cognitive processes, it provides a more complete representation of how a person uses knowledge to make a decision in a particular situation than do other representations. Operationalization of LOR in the form of templates and narratives enhances systematic data interpretation and coding. The use of LOR as a representation is illustrated in a study of critical care nurses' clinical decision making, specifically the determination of a patient's readiness to wean from mechanical ventilation.