Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Thrid Edition: Model and Guidelines

(^104) Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice: Model and Guidelines, Third Edition

Individual Research Studies

The EBP team begins its evidence search in the hope of finding the highest level

of scientific evidence available on the topic of interest. Table 6.2 outlines the dis-

tinctive features of the various types of research designs and evidence the team

may uncover.

Table 6.2 Research Designs, Distinctive Features, and Examples

Research Design Distinctive Features Examples

Experimental ■■An intervention

■■Control

■■Random assignment

to the intervention or

control group

■■Manipulation of one

variable

■■Randomized controlled trial

Quasi-experimental ■■An intervention

■■Lacks either a control

group or random

assignment to the

intervention group

■■Nonequivalent control

(comparison) group: posttest

only or pretest–posttest

■■One group: posttest only or

pretest–posttest

■■Time series

■■Untreated control, repeated

measures

■■Repeated treatment where

subjects serve as their own

controls

■■Crossover design