Effective use of critique and dialogue at scholarly conferences

In this article, the authors offer a solution to a phenomenon identified as “silencing” among nurse colleagues during national, regional, and international scholarly conferences. Through an electronic anonymous survey, data were collected regarding perceptions of the structure and process at scholarly nursing conferences. The need for critique and dialogue while sharing research ideas or findings is identified as a means to encourage direct exchange at professional conferences. Based on an examination of the process of critique and dialogue, and theories that explain why honest and direct dialogue are sometimes subdued, the authors propose a model of constructive scholarly dialogue for conference participation. The goals of implementing this model are to make scholarly exchanges normative at nursing conferences, and to revise standard conference formats so that constructive critique and dialogue are encouraged actively. The likely outcomes include improved nursing science and professional development of nurses.