Evidence Based PracticeLecture-6Forms of evidenceIdentifying different sources of EvidenceHow to evaluate a web pageWays of Searching for evidence

Sources of answerable question

Professional practiceProfessional trendsExisting published researchYour own curiosityExisting Theory

Forms of evidenceResearch based evidenceExpert opinionsPatient feed backClinical experienceClinical records

Different Sources of Evidence

Scholarly publicationsElectronic Bibliographic DatabasesWorld Wide Web (www)

Types of Scholarly publicationsBooksNone peer-Reviewed Journals and

professional Magazines.Peer- Reviewed JournalsShort ReportsEditorialsSystematic ReviewsBook and technology ReviewsResearch Articles

BooksCould be focused or generalGood for background question but not a good

sources for foreground questionThe credibility of the books depends upon the

author credentials and the reputation of the publisher

None peer-Reviewed Journals and professional MagazinesPublications could be of high quality but may

be biased toward a targeted audience.They get into print faster, there fore can be

useful for learning about current trends and controversies in the field.

It will be unwise to depend solely on these sources for the evidence

Peer- Reviewed JournalsThe articles published in the Peer-Reviewed

journals are considered more accurate and relevant.

All of the articles have been scrutinized by experts in the field for accuracy of content, quality of research, and relevance to the field.

Short ReportsTend to describe new or developing

programs,projects,or treatment techniques.They used to present results of research pilot

studies and preliminary results from ongoing research.

To provide the latest advances in a particular area.

EditorialsPapers written by invited experts in the field.They tend to raise important issues for the

fieldPropose visionary direction for the futureEditorials tend to be useful when developing

a background or rationale for proposals.

Systematic ReviewsSystematic reviews usually provide broad

background information and pre-appraised material for your question.

It can be very efficient and effective to use systematic reviews to find an answer to your clinical question.

Clinicians should seek a high quality systematic review rather than the primary studies addressing their clinical question.

Book and technology Reviews

This reviews are usually invited critiques of new, available resources.

The authors have some degree of expertise in the field specific to the content of the reviewed resource.

Research Articles

These articles provide information on the newest scientific findings and advances in a particular area.

Electronic Bibliographic DatabasesMEDLINE: Compilation of medically and

biomedically related publications.CINAHL :Focuses on publications of allied

health profession.ERIC : Focuses on material from the field

of education,ageline focuses on publications relating to older adults and aging

Hooked on evidence: APTA Database for physical therapy related research.

Open door: APTA Database for physical therapy related research.

World Wide Web (www)

News and current eventsBusness/MarkitingInformationalAdvocacyPersonalOthers

Ways of Searching for evidence

Searching through electronic databasesManual searching through specific journalsRetrieving the articles listed in the reference

lists of articlesSearching the world wide web.