Exercise and Wellness

Ask a Question

• Get to know your topic
• Ask yourself the 5 W's and H: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How?  (Who are the stakeholders? What is the issue/problem/concern/innovation? Where and When will it/does it occur?  Why is it important?  How will you propose to address it?)
• Do background research to make sure you have a solid foundation 
• Create a research question to guide your search
  • Try the PICO question development method

Acquire Evidence

• Where will you search?
• What keywords or subject headings will you use to find information on your topic?
• What types of studies or data will be most helpful in answering your question?
• Brainstorm answers to these questions, then search Health Research Databases to find the best evidence on your topic

Appraise the Evidence

• Critically appraise the evidence/research you found: what methodologies were used?  How was the data analyzed and reported?  Are the conclusions supported by the data?

Implement

• Consider what the evidence means in your situation, related to your stakeholders and their needs, and how it may be best implemented

Evaluate/Assess

• How did it work?  Did you see results that created the outcomes you were trying to achieve?  Do you need to adjust the implementation?  Do you need a different solution?

More information on 'Types of Studies' on this page from the Evidence Based Practice Tutorial at Duke University