Is it true or false that once a nurse researcher retrieves potential primary source materials, the next step is to discard irrelevant or inappropriate references?

The statement is false. Once a nurse researcher retrieves potential primary source materials, the next step is to evaluate these sources for their relevance and appropriateness to the research question or topic. Discarding irrelevant or inappropriate references is indeed an important part of the research process, but it does not immediately follow the retrieval of materials.

After gathering primary sources, a thorough review is necessary to ascertain which of the retrieved materials genuinely contribute to the research objectives. This step involves assessing the credibility, methodology, and findings of each source, as well as examining whether they fit into the larger context of the research question. Once this evaluative process is complete, only then can the researcher effectively narrow down the sources to those that are pertinent and useful for their specific study.

Focusing exclusively on this evaluative phase is critical, as it ensures that the evidence used in practice is of high quality and relevant, ultimately strengthening the integrity of the research. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the importance of this evaluative step following retrieval rather than immediately discarding sources.