Guides Template

Evidence-based practice, often abbreviated as EBP, is the idea that decisions, actions, and processes should be guided by the best available information, gained through scientific research. The ultimate goal of EBP is to improve outcomes in a given field. Historically, professional practice has been based on tradition - "the way it has always been done" - often influenced by personal beliefs and the experiences of others.

Evidence-based practice originated in medicine but has since been adopted in various fields, including education, policing, conservation, design, legislation, management, and others.

Implementing evidence-based practice encompasses the integration of:

• Evidence - scientific research/literature, data, observations
• Expertise - yours and that of others in the field
• Perspective - of the patient, student, client, etc.

The 5 steps of evidence-based practice are Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, and Assess.

Ask

Develop a specific, relevant question.

PICO(T) is a popular framework:

• Patient, population, or problem
• Intervention you plan to use
• Comparison intervention
• Outcome
• Timing

For example, "In beginning readers (P), does balanced literacy (I) improve reading scores (O) compared to direct instruction (C) after one school year (T)?"

Your question may not fit perfectly into this format, and that's ok. The goal is to help you focus and think strategically about your question.

Acquire

Find the evidence.

Appraise

Evaluate the evidence.

Apply

Use the evidence, combined with expertise and perspective.

Assess

Evaluate the process and the outcome.