Evidence-based practice:
The integration of the best available scientific evidence with nursing experience and patient preference.
Appraisal of literature:
The process of evaluating literature for its worth (i.e., validity, reliability, and applicability to clinical practice).
Levels of hierarchy of evidence:
A ranking of evidence by the type of design or research methodology that would answer the question with the least amount of error and provide the most reliable findings.
Quality of evidence:
The confidence that the information gained from a study is adequate to support a specific recommendation.
Quantity of evidence:
The number of studies that have evaluated the specific clinical issue, the sample size among studies, the magnitude of the treatment effect, and the strength of the assessment of the interventions.
Consistency of evidence:
Whether studies with similar and different designs report similar findings. This will require numerous studies to determine.
Dissemination of knowledge:
The process of spreading or circulating knowledge.
Clinical decision-making:
Drawing conclusions based on EBN, clinical expertise, patient preference, and other factors such as cost-benefit analysis and availability of alternatives.
Clinical practice guideline (CPG):
Clinical guidelines briefly identify, summarize and evaluate the best evidence and most current data about best practices that are associated with optimal patient outcomes.
Experimental studies:
The researcher has full control over the subjects, the setting, and the research procedures as in studies completed in a laboratory.
Literature review:
Scholarly analysis of a body of research about a specific issue or topic.
Meta-analysis:
Merged statistical results from a number of related studies, which combines various research studies with the goal of discovering consistencies and differences between studies.
Quasi-experimental studies:
The researcher does not have full control over all of the aspects of the investigation. (Most healthcare research is of this type).