Evidence-based practice (EBP) combines research-based information, clinical expertise, and patients' values and preferences when providing care. This involves five steps:
This guide will help you learn how to acquire and appraise research so that you can provide the best care to your patients.
Research studies can be broken down into two broad categories: primary research (or unfiltered information) and secondary research (or filtered information.
Primary Research refers to original studies. They can be
Secondary Research combines many primary research studies to look for patterns. Because of that, secondary research provides stronger evidence than primary research does. This category can include
Quantitative research collects and analyzes numerical data to learn about relationships between variables. Look for words like Compare, Assess, Evaluate, Measure, and Test.
Types of Quantitative Research
Sample Article
Herke, M., Fink, A., Langer, G., Wustmann, T., Watzke, S., Hanff, A. M., & Burckhardt, M. (2018). Environmental and behavioural modifications for improving food and fluid intake in people with dementia. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7(7), CD011542. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011542.pub2
Learn More
Ingham-Broomfield, R. (2014). A nurses’ guide to quantitative research. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 32(2): 32-38. https://www.ajan.com.au/archive/Vol32/Issue2/4Broomfield.pdf
The data collected from qualitative research is more descriptive of people's beliefs, attitudes, etc. and is gathered through methods such as interviews and focus groups. The data collected is often narrative. Look for words like Identify, Explore, Describe, and Explain.
Types of Quantitative Research
Sample Article
Dahl, B., Heinonen, K., & Bondas, T. E. (2020). From Midwife-Dominated to Midwifery-Led Antenatal Care: A Meta-Ethnography. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(23), 8946. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17238946
Learn more
Chicca, J. (2020, June 5). Introduction to qualitative nursing research. American Nurse. https://www.myamericannurse.com/introduction-to-qualitative-nursing-research/