LibGuides: Nursing Science and Research: Understanding Evidence

Levels of Evidence

Systematic Reviews - Highest level of evidence, sometimes called a Meta-Analysis, which attempts to summarize quantitative data.

Randomized Controlled Trials - Includes both a control and test group of subjects that fit certain criteria and are divided randomly to avoid bias.

Practice Guidelines – Developed based on available evidence to recommend a course of treatment

Filtered Information – Condensed so that the conclusions are easy to read and can be quickly applied

Unfiltered Information – Used to create filtered information and can be used as a basis for clinical decisions when other evidence is lacking

Evidence Based Practice Tutorials

Introduction to EBP
Duke University Medical Center Library and the Health Sciences Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:
1. Overview
2. Ask
3. Acquire
4. Appraise
5. Practice
6. References & Links
Evidence Based Practice- An Inter-professional Tutorial
University of Minnesota Libraries:
1. Formulating a Well-Built Question
2. Identifying Resources
3. Critical Appraisal
4. Applying the Evidence
5. Re-Evaluation
American Nursing Association's Research Toolkit
Information for the ANA about providing EBP nursing practice to improve the care to patients, families, communities and healthcare systems.
- Asking a Question
- Acquiring Information
- Appraising the Evidence
- Essential Nursing Resources
- Research Glossaries
- Critique a Research Article
- Education about Evidence-based Practice and Research
- Comparative Effectiveness Research/Patient Centered Outcomes Research
- Human Subjects Protection
- Research Funding
- Research Organizations
- National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI®), a Press Ganey solution
- International Council of Nurses (ICN) Evidence-Based Practice Resource
- Research Repository [Members Only - Login Required]

Evidence Based Practice, Step by Step

American Journal of Nursing- EBP Step by Step
This collection of articles was authored by faculty from the Arizona State University College of Nursing and Health Innovation's Center for the Advancement of Evidence-Based Practice. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving approach to the delivery of health care that integrates the best evidence from studies and patient care data with clinician expertise and patient preferences and values. When delivered in a context of caring and in a supportive organizational culture, the highest quality of care and best patient outcomes can be achieved.

The purpose of this series is to give nurses the knowledge and skills they need to implement EBP consistently, one step at a time. Articles appeared every two months to allow time for staff to incorporate information as they worked toward implementing EBP at their institutions.

The series received the Nursing Media Award for Print from Sigma Theta Tau International Awards for Nursing Excellence.