One distinguishing feature of evidence-based practice (EBP) is the in-
clusion of multiple sources of evidence. When research evidence does
not exist or is insufficient to answer the practice question, nurses have
a range of nonresearch evidence to draw from that has the potential
to inform their practice.
Such evidence includes personal, aesthetic, and ethical ways of know-
ing (Carper, 1978)—for example, the expertise, experience, and values
of individual practitioners, patients, and patients’ families. For the
purposes of this chapter, nonresearch evidence is divided into sum-
maries of evidence (clinical practice guidelines, consensus or position
statements, literature and integrative reviews); organizational experi-
ence (quality improvement and financial data); expert opinion (com-
mentary or opinion, case reports); community standards; clinician
experience; and consumer preferences. This chapter:
■■ Describes types of nonresearch evidence
■■ Explains strategies for evaluating such evidence