Machine generated contents note: Aim of this book -- Examples -- How to get the most from this book -- Use the symbols -- 1.What is evidence-based practice? -- Have clear reasons for your practice decisions and your care -- Defining evidence-based practice -- Exploring the components of evidence-based practice -- What are the consequences of not taking an evidence-based approach? -- What does evidence-based practice mean to me? -- In summary -- Key points -- 2.Where did evidence-based practice come from? -- Moving from tradition and ritual towards an evidence-based approach -- The developing research culture -- The on-going information revolution -- Why is there so much information available? -- So how does this `information revolution' affect me? -- In summary -- Key points -- 3.Using evidence in your decision making and to answer practical questions -- Evidence and decision making -- The consequences and implications of your decision --

Contents note continued: What types of evidence do we need to make different decisions? -- What kind of evidence is available? -- Finding the right type of research evidence for your decision or question -- Research that is directly applicable or highly relevant -- Research that has not been conducted in your particular setting or with your patient or client group -- What other `evidence' is there out there? -- In summary -- Key points -- 4.What are the different types of research and how do they help us answer different questions? -- How do I recognize research? -- Systematic reviews and good quality literature reviews -- Quantitative research -- Experimental and non-experimental quantitative research -- Qualitative studies -- Different approaches to qualitative research -- Which type of research is best? -- What does the term `hierarchy of evidence' mean? -- What about using secondary sources? -- Use of policy and guidelines -- Non-research-based evidence -- In summary --

Contents note continued: Key points -- 5.How do I find relevant evidence to support my practice and learning? -- Focussing the topic and refining the question -- Focussing and structuring your question using PICOT (or PICO) -- Searching for relevant evidence -- The importance of a comprehensive approach to searching for literature -- How to develop an effective search strategy -- In summary -- Key points -- 6.How do I know if the evidence is convincing and useful? -- What is critical appraisal? -- The importance of critical appraisal -- Defining the terms used in judging the quality of research -- Getting started with critical appraisal -- Getting to know your literature -- General critical appraisal tools -- Specific critical appraisal tools -- Key questions to ask when reviewing different types of evidence -- Key questions to ask of review articles and good quality literature reviews -- Key questions to ask of quantitative studies --

Contents note continued: Key questions to ask of qualitative studies -- Key questions to ask of professional and clinical guidance and policy -- Key questions to ask of discussion or opinion articles (anecdotal evidence) -- Key questions to ask of websites -- Incorporating critical appraisal into your academic writing or when debating use of evidence in practice -- In summary -- Key points -- 7.How to implement evidence-based practice -- Background and overview of `getting more evidence into practice' -- The motivation, knowledge and skills needed by the individual -- Organizational motivation, learning and infrastructure -- Finding solutions to the problems of implementing EBP -- Challenging the practice of ourselves and others -- The future of evidence-based practice -- In summary -- Key points.