Time-series designs in clinical nursing research: human issues.

Prospective time-series research methods require substantially greater commitment and effort from both subjects and investigators compared to designs that involve one-time data collection. Human issues such as retention, confidentiality, burnout, and clinician-researcher role conflict have not been adequately addressed in existing literature on time-series methodology. To maintain the scientific integrity of a time-series design and minimize unnecessary costs associated with subject and staff attrition, these issues should not be overlooked.