Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses

How Research Is Different from EBP

Research and EBP complement one another, but it is important to understand

how they differ. Research is about generating new knowledge, and EBP is about

applying new knowledge to practice. Research questions are often posed when

a gap in the literature is discovered. For example, perhaps all of the studies

about the effect of relaxation on anxiety have been done about adults. Because

only adults have been studied, a gap in the literature exists about the effect of

relaxation on anxiety in adolescents. In contrast, most EBP questions are raised

while nurses are providing care to patients. Research is a scientific process that

involves collecting and analyzing data from research subjects to evaluate the

findings in light of the research question that is posed. While EBP also involves

analysis of data, the data are about patients, and the analysis focuses on whether

or not patient outcomes have improved (see Table 1-5).

Research EBP

Generates new knowledge Applies new knowledge to point of care

Fills gap in literature Based on evidence in literature

Research question Clinical question

Subjects Patients

Designed to describe a phenomenon, find a

relationship, or test an intervention

Designed to change practice in clinical

setting

Analysis of data Analysis of data

Evaluates findings in light of research

question

Evaluates practice change by measuring

patient outcomes

TABLE 1-5 Comparison of Research and EBP

True/False

1. When reading a quantitative research article, you would expect to see words being
   analyzed as data.


2. The purpose of research is to prove something is true.


3. It is possible for a descriptive, qualitative study to be applied to practice.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE 1-2

How did you do? 1. F; 2. F; 3. T

22 CHAPTER 1 What Is Evidence-Based Practice?