Research Guides: Research Methods in Nursing: Evidence Based Practice

What is Evidence-Based Medicine?

Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine
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From the Fundamentals of Evidence Based Medicine (2nd Ed.), this section includes the history, an explanation, strategies, limitations, misconceptions, and more about evidence-based medicine.
Evidence-Based Practice
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From the Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health (4th Ed.), this section defines evidence-based practice and provides information about the process from research to implementing practice changes.
The Levels of Evidence and their role in Evidence-Based Medicine
As the name suggests, evidence-based medicine (EBM), is about finding evidence and using that evidence to make clinical decisions. A cornerstone of EBM is the hierarchical system of classifying evidence. This hierarchy is known as the levels of evidence.
More about Evidence-Based Practice
Link to the Evidence-Based page in the Nursing Subject Guide.

Finding Evidence-Based Practice Resources

Recommended Databases

Cochrane Library This link opens in a new window
The Cochrane Library is a renowned resource for evidence-based medicine research. Search for systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials and more.
CINAHL Plus with Full Text This link opens in a new window
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In CINAHL, look for "Evidence-Based Care Sheets" at the top of the page. Additionally, applying the "Evidence-Based Practice" limiter allows you to limit results to articles from evidence-based practice journals, articles about evidence-based practice, research articles (including systematic reviews, clinical trials, meta analyses, etc.), and commentaries on research studies (applying practice to research).
MEDLINE (via EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Provides authoritative medical information on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system, pre-clinical sciences, and much more. Created by the National Library of Medicine, this database uses MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) indexing.
PubMed Central This link opens in a new window
Use "Clinical Inquiries" or filter search by level of evidence—systematic reviews, RCTs, case reports, clinical trials, etc.

Evidence-Based Guidelines

National Guideline Clearinghouse
"NGC is a public resource for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines." Create a free account, "Save your favorite guideline summaries and organizations, and create custom e-mail alerts."

PubMed Central This link opens in a new window
(Clinical Queries search option)
CINAHL Plus with Full Text This link opens in a new window
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(Advanced Search > Publication Type: 'Practice Guideline')

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