Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses

STEP 6: Search Another Database

Search another database using the keywords, synonyms, phrases, MeSH Terms/CINAHL Headings,

and limiters you used in STEP 5.

A.What other database/resource did you search?___________________________________________

B. How many results did you get? ________________Too few results? Too many results?

C.Think about the following (do not write out answer): How do these results compare to the

results you obtained in the other database? Are the results relevant? Current? Of good quality?

Appropriate for the assignment? If needed, adjust your search more. Make sure to continue

recording your steps.

STEP 7: Reflection

A. Why did you select your specific article?

B.What difficulties did you have locating a single research study that is appropriate for this

assignment?

C. The next time you search for evidence, what will you do differently?

to begin. List the population, intervention, and outcome first. Then think of

synonyms for those words, and write those words on the worksheet. For the

PICOT question, “What are the best strategies for improving handwashing

compliance in nursing staff?” a worksheet may begin like this:

P: nurses : staff OR registered nurses OR

I: strategies : interventions OR education OR programs

O: handwashing : hand washing OR hand hygiene OR hand scrubbing

Once this step is completed, the next step is to use the words identified and

apply advanced search strategies. The worksheet may look like this:

P: nurse* : staff OR “registered nurse*” OR

I: strateg* : intervention* OR educat* OR program*

O: handwashing : “hand washing” OR “hand hygiene” OR “hand scrubbing”

Once this is step is completed, enter the keywords into a database. As the

search progresses, keywords can be added or deleted, MeSH terms or CINAHL

Adapted from: Whalen, K. J., & Zentz, S. E. (2014). Five-course meal infused with information skills and
resources. In K. Calkins & C. Kvenild (Eds.), The embedded librarian’s cookbook (pp. 76–79). Chicago, IL:
American Libraries Association. Available at http://works.bepress.com/kimberly_whalen/5

122 CHAPTER 4 Finding Sources of Evidence