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Nursing: Cultivating Curiosity/Culture of Evidence Module

What is evidence? What is nursing evidence?

What is evidence?

Evidence is information that we use to make clinical decisions. These decisions might include how to approach a patient, what elements to assess, what interventions to select or what outcomes to monitor.

There are many different forms or sources of evidence that we use in our practice, these include:

  • research (academic or industry-sponsored); this may be in the form of individual studies, or synthesis of all studies on the topic
  • clinical experience or expert opinion (ones own or a colleague's, narrative reviews, textbooks);
  • client experience, expertise and desires;
  • and data (statistics, clinical audits, etc.).

What is nursing evidence?

Nursing (research) evidence is generated by nurse researchers and clinicians. Nursing evidence typically answers questions that have an impact on nursing actions or decisions, though it may influence the decisions or understanding of other healthcare providers or the general public.

 

See the Ask module to learn about different types of questions and best evidence to answer them.

See the interactive evidence pyramid or use the interactive concept map to find resources by type of evidence.

See the Basic Search and Intermediate Search modules to learn how to plan a successful search.

 

Click to select a level of evidence

Systems is the top level of the 6s pyramid. Example: evidence-based clinical information system. This level of the pyramid is grey on the image being described.
Summaries are the second level from the top of the 6s pyramid. Examples: practice guideline, evidence summary. This level of the pyramid is yellow on the image being described.
Synopses of syntheses are the third level from the top of the 6s pyramid. Example: pre-appraised systematic review. This level of the pyramid is pale red on the image being described.
Syntheses are the fourth level from the top of the 6s pyramid. Example: systematic review. This level of the pyramid is pink on the image being described.
Synopses of single studies are the second level from the bottom of the 6s pyramid. Example: pre-appraised single study. This level of the pyramid is blue on the image being described.
Single studies is the bottom level of the 6s pyramid. Example: randommized controlled trial, cohort study. This level of the pyramid is green on the image being described.

Librarian

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Sabine Calleja
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Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering
Subjects: Nursing

Content authors

Please note: While this guide is managed by Francesca Frati, the contents of the guide were developed in collaboration with nursing faculty at the Ingram School of Nursing: Irene Sarasua,  Argerie Tsimicalis, Jodi Tuck, Amanda Cervantes and Caroline Marchionni.

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