Georgia Cancer Center LibGuide

The scientific method will form the basis of the research you will be conducting throughout your Summer Research Experience. You are likely already familiar with the steps from previous science courses you have taken!

Identifying Different Types of Information

Before you learn about evidence-based practice, it's best to review how to identify quality sources. This page offers a variety of resources to help you develop a better understanding of the principles behind the development and synthesis of scientific evidence. 

Scholarly vs. Popular Resources

You will want to seek out scholarly resources that are reliable and written by authors who have expertise on the subject matter. 

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources

Ideally, you should be prioritizing information from primary and secondary sources when conducting research.

• Primary Sources: These sources are records of events or evidence as they are first described or actually happened without any interpretation or commentary. It is information that is shown for the first time or original materials on which other research is based. Primary sources display original thinking, report on new discoveries, or share fresh information.
• Secondary Sources: These sources offer an analysis or restatement of primary sources. They often try to describe or explain primary sources. They tend to be works which summarize, interpret, reorganize, or otherwise provide an added value to a primary source.
• Tertiary Sources: These are sources that index, abstract, organize, compile, or digest other sources. Some reference materials and textbooks are considered tertiary sources when their chief purpose is to list, summarize or simply repackage ideas or other information. Tertiary sources are usually not credited to a particular author.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is made up of three major domains: scientific evidence, clinical experience, and patient values.

Scientific Evidence: 

• Always seek the best available scientific evidence to help guide your approach. This guide focuses primarily on helping you develop the skills necessary for this element of EBP so that you can confidently support your clinical practice with applied research accessed through evidence-based resources.  

Clinical Experience: 

• Depending on your area of study, you will be asked to develop skills and knowledge that are relevant to your scope of practice. This element encompasses the hands-on training and experience required to become competent in clinical decision making and judgment. Clinical experience is supported with scientific evidence. 

Patient Values: 

• Understanding the patient's desires and needs is a key part of EBP. Recognizing cultural considerations and values is a necessary skill to provide best practice services. 

5 Steps of Evidence-Based Practice

There are five distinct processes that take place within evidence-based practice. This LibGuide can serve as a resource for you as you explore the "Ask" and "Acquire" stages. 

• Ask: Form a relevant and answerable question.
• Acquire: Track down the best evidence to answer that question.
• Appraise: Examine the resources to determine the validity and relevance to your research.
• Apply: Come to a decision using evidence, clinical knowledge, and patient values
• Evaluate: Evaluate the effectiveness of steps 1-4 and seek ways to improve them for next time.