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Writing PICO Questions
Pico Question Worksheet will help you define your Pico Question
Locate MESH terms for your PICO in: MESH DATABASE
This video will take you through searching for evidence for an example PICO question.
Background Information for Interventions and Comparisons
- Medline Plus Encyclopedia (medical conditions, medical tests, drugs)
- Health & Medical Collection (ProQuest)
- eBook Academic Collection (medical conditions)
- Ebook Central (medical conditions)
Question Focus or Level of Evidence
This table recommends the best evidence for your question focus.
Need a specific level of evidence? Use this table instead.
Different Types of Studies
- This video summarizes each research study type and how to identify what type of study an article describes.
- Study Design 101 Tutorial outlines the pros and cons of each study type.
Where to Search
Clinical Guidelines
EBP Guidelines summarize current diagnosis & treatment recommendations, identify the best research studies, and list gaps in current research.
Databases
- The Cochrane Library (Choose Cochrane Reviews)
- DynaMed Plus
- Pubmed Clinical Queries (Also: MEDLINE Complete Advanced Search)
- CINAHL Complete (Evidence-Based Care Sheets from the top menu)
Websites
- National Guideline Clearinghouse (Web, Evidence-Based Reports)
- PEDro (Physiotherapy Only; not full text)
- SUMSearch (Searches Pubmed; not full text)
Original Research Studies
Databases
- CINAHL Complete (Publication type filter)
- MEDLINE Complete (Publication type filter)
- PubMed (Publication type Filter)
- Health & Medical Collection (Publication type filter)
Subject Terms to Add to Your Search
Add these terms to your search using AND to find EBP articles and guidelines in databases.
MeSH Terms:
- evidence-based practice
- evidence-based medicine
- evidence-based nursing
MeSH Publication type/Subject terms:
- Case-control studies
- Cohort studies
- case reports
- cross-sectional studies
- Practice Guideline
Ebsco Subject Terms (CIHNAL Complete)
- Physical Therapy Practice, Evidence-Based
- Occupational Therapy Practice, Evidence-Based
- Nursing Practice, Evidence-Based
- Medical Practice, Evidence-Based
Publication type/Subject terms:
- Systematic Review
- Meta-analysis
- Evidence-based care sheet (CINAHL Complete)
- Practice Guideline/s
- Randomized Control Trial
- Multicenter Study (Cochrane)
Journals Publishing EBP Articles
Search within the Journal using the search box inside the journal page to find an article related to your PICO
- Annals of Internal Medicine (The ACP Journal Club)
- Clinical Nursing Research
- Evidence Based Nursing (Online)
- Evidence-based Medicine (EBM Online)
- Evidence-based Mental Health
- Journal of Family Practice
- Journal of Evidence-based Social Work
- Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing
Other Guides on the Web
- U of Minn Tutorial
- Duke U Tutorial
- Online Glossary of EBP Terms
- Dartmouth U Guide
- Marquette U Guide
- Winona State U Guide