MSN - Nurse Practitioner (FNP / AGPCNP / PMHNP)

Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) or Evidence-Based Practice (EBP, or EBNP for nursing practice) is "the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values." Sackett, D. L. (2000). Evidence-based medicine: How to practice and teach EBM(2nd ed.). Edinburgh; New York: Churchill Livingstone.

In nursing, the focus of a primary source is on original research from one research study.  A primary source in nursing is an article written by the researcher(s) who performed the research experiment and includes original research data. Secondary sources are ones that summarize or compare primary research articles in a particular area, such as a Systematic Review.  A primary research article contains the following:

• Introduction: Research question which defines the aim of the research
• Methodology
• Results
• Discussion/Conclusions
• References

For example, this citation shows a primary source article: 

This article, though on a similar topic, is not a primary source even though it still looks very formal and official. Instead, it's an overview of previous research studies, without providing any new research. 

To formulate questions in Evidence-Based Practice, use the PICO(T) format.

PICO(T) stands for:

• Population/ Patient Problem: Who is your patient? (Disease or Health status, age, race, sex)
• Intervention: What do you plan to do for the patient? (Specific tests, therapies, medications)
• Comparison: What is the alternative to your plan? (ie. No treatment, different type of treatment, etc.)
• Outcome: What outcome do you seek? (Less symptoms, no symptoms, full health, etc.)
• Time:  What is the time frame? (This element is not always included)

Your PICOT question will fall under one of these types:

• Therapy
• Diagnosis
• Etiology
• Prognosis
• Intervention
• Meaning

For additional information, see:

All EBSCO databases have a built-in "PICOT guided search" tool to help guide students with PICO(T) searches. Please see the attached example linked below. 

If you're struggling to come up with your PICO(T) question, please reach out to your instructor. 

If you need additional assistance searching for your PICO(T) question, please book a Research Coaching Appointment with a Franklin Librarian. We would be happy to help you with your research!