(^80) Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice: Model and Guidelines, Third Edition
however, have made searching for medical information much easier and faster
than in years past. This chapter:
■■ Describes key information formats
■■ Identifies steps to find evidence to answer the EBP questions
■■ Suggests information and evidence resources
■■ Provides tips for search strategies
■■ Suggests methods of evaluating search results
Key Information Formats
Nursing is awash with research data and resources in support of evidence-based
nursing, which itself is continually evolving (Johnson, 2015). Evidence-based lit-
erature comes from many sources, and nurses need to keep them all in mind. The
literature search is a vital component of the EBP process. If nurses search only
a single resource, database, or journal, they will likely miss important evidence.
Through the search, nurses expand their experience in locating evidence impor-
tant to the care they deliver.
Translation literature refers to evidence-based research findings that, after much
research and analysis, have been translated into guidelines used in the clinical
setting. It includes practice guidelines, protocols, standards, critical pathways,
clinical innovations, evidence-based care centers, peer-reviewed journals, and
bibliographic databases. Some sources of translation literature are the National
Guideline Clearinghouse, the Best Practice information sheets of the Joanna
Briggs Institute, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature
(CINAHL), and PubMed. (Information on accessing such resources is provided
later in this chapter.)
Evidence summaries include systematic reviews, integrative reviews, meta-
analysis, meta-synthesis, and evidence synthesis. These are summaries of the
literature that identify, select, and critically appraise relevant research and use
appropriate statistical or interpretive analysis to summarize the results of the
studies. Evidence-based summaries can be found in library catalogs, online book