Library and Research Resources for M.S.N. Students

Evidence-based practice, or EBP, is about translating evidence and applying it to clinical decision-making. The purpose of evidence-based practice is to use the best evidence available to make patient-care decisions. Evidence-based practice goes beyond using research and includes clinical expertise and patient preferences and values. The use of evidence-based practice takes into consideration that sometimes the best evidence is that of opinion leaders and experts, even though there are no definitive results from research.

The evidence-based practice process has seven critical steps:

1. Cultivate a spirit of inquiry.
2. Ask a burning clinical question.
3. Collect the most relevant and best evidence.
4. Critically appraise the evidence.
5. Integrate evidence with clinical expertise, patient preferences, and values in making a practice decision or change.
6. Evaluate the practice decision or change.
7. Disseminate evidence-based practice results.

Conner, B. T. (2014). Differentiating research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement. American Nurse Today, 9 (6). Retrieved from https://www.americannursetoday.com/differentiating-research-evidence-based-practice-and-quality-improvement/

An Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice

This self-paced, interactive tutorial will guide you through the steps of the EBP process. This tutorial was developed by the Medical Center Library at Duke University and the Health Sciences Center Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.