Components of Evidence-Based Practice: Searching the Evidence

Order Instructions

Week 8: Components of Evidence-Based Practice: Searching the Evidence

Reflect on the thought you apply in evaluating a patient’s symptoms. In some situations the problem and response may be clear and direct. In others, you consider whether you have the information you need or whether you need more. Bring to mind what you might look for, such as more patient history or test results, to gather evidence that supports a successful treatment.

Searching the evidence for evidence-based practice also requires a careful and judicious process. Your topic may produce a rush of scholarly articles, and a scan of each may signal promising results. Or you may need to continue to search, or to refine your search terms. Searching the evidence involves time and close attention, just like searching to understand a patient’s needs.

This week you will begin your literature search in the Walden Library for evidence to inform a practice change. Your Discussion with colleagues can help launch a successful search.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Evaluate literature search experience

Apply literature search strategies

Evaluate scholarly articles for a literature review

Analyze scholarly literature for evidence

Evaluate quality of evidence to inform practice changes

Synthesize research to support nursing practice problems

Justify quality improvement/practice change initiatives

Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

Optional Resources (click to expand/reduce)

Discussion: Search-Based Questions

The Discussion this week invites you to check in with colleagues and your Instructor on your experience as you begin your Module 4 Assignment to conduct a literature search in the Walden Library. This Discussion is a particularly good example of how colleagues can support one another in tandem as common work gets underway.

Photo Credit: steheap / Adobe Stock

Note what you are discovering about search strategies that could be of benefit to colleagues, and prepare to consider their recommendations as well. Be sure that you begin your search of scholarly literature in the Walden Library promptly this week, to be prepared to post by Day 3. References and citations are not required for this Discussion.

To prepare:

Review the Week 8 Learning Resources, with particular attention to the Walden Library resources to support your literature search.

Evaluate your process as you access the resource materials and your literature search gets underway. Keep in mind the importance of selecting current literature, i.e., published in the previous 5 years. Consider what is working for you in identifying search topics related to your critical question and in finding relevant current articles, and what questions you have for colleagues and your Instructor.

Also draw on your Week 7 Discussion experience in identifying scholarly articles related to your critical question and comments from colleagues to act on as you begin your literature search. Be proactive in stating your questions and needs and clarifying your search process, to maximize the value of this Discussion and your Assignment in this module.

In addition to your Discussion post, you may also contact the Instructor directly by email with specific questions or needs related to your literature search. Follow the guidelines in the Course Syllabus for contacting the Instructor.

With these thoughts in mind …

By Day 3 of Week 8

Post a summary of your experience in beginning your literature search and assess your initial progress. Explain what is working for you in terms of a plan or search strategy for finding relevant, current literature, including Walden Library support resources you would recommend. Explain issues of concern and specific questions regarding the search process. References and citations are not required.