Research in health care is often conducted using the 5 A's of the Evidence-Based Practice Process.
- Ask a question that can be answered with research evidence. Many health care professionals use the PICO mnemonic to help them develop good clinical research questions.
- Acquire literature by searching databases and the online catalog for evidence to answer your clinical question.
- Appraise the evidence you have collected for validity and applicability to your question. In other words, evaluate your sources.
- Apply your evidence to clinical practice after integrating it with your clinical expertise and your patient's preferences.
- Assess or evaluate the effects of the change in practice.
The American Journal of Nursing has collected an informative series of nursing research articles on Evidence-Based Practice, Step by Step.