Module Components

• Overview
• Assignments

Topics

• Evidence Review
• Frameworks
• Planning the Implementation
• Data Measure

NDNP 810 - DNP Project Identification

Mod 3: Planning

Evidence Review

Evidence is a collection of facts to gain new knowledge. Knowledge may be derived from a variety of sources such as research as well as practice experience. Distinguishing the best evidence from unreliable evidence lies at the root of the impact that your actions will have when translating evidence into practice.

Research Evidence

Knowledge generated from empirical systematic investigation, i.e. research, is highly valued as the basis for making clinical practice decisions. Primary research studies are those that report the original work conducted by the researchers whereas secondary sources are those that compile and evaluate evidence from other sources.

• Examples of primary research are randomized controlled trials, cohort, case control, or descriptive studies.
  
• Examples of secondary research are systematic reviews and meta-analysis. These are designated as the strongest, highest level, research evidence available to make clinical decisions.

Practice-based Evidence

Practice based evidence, also commonly referred to as internal organizational evidence, is the generation of evidence that is intended to improve practice and patient outcomes within a local setting where it is conducted. Quality improvement or evidence-based practice initiatives are examples of activities that produce practice-based evidence. The findings from these initiatives are not intended to be generalized to other setting, but rather improve quality, outcomes, and performance within the practice setting.

Evidence Retrieval

As you begin searching to acquire a relevant body of evidence to support your DNP Project, carefully consider what exactly you are looking for and to build a search strategy that will help you to retrieve that information. Students are strongly advised to utilize information resources and librarians available through the University of Maryland Health Sciences and Human Services Library.

Once you have located the evidence, the next step is critical appraisal. Critical appraisal is the process of examining a research article to determine its validity and applicability to your project. Critical appraisal is important because it ensures that you have a valid body of evidence on which to make your change decision.
Be prepared - critical appraisal can be time intensive. It requires that you carefully read each research study, extract key information, summarize and present to your audience in an Evidence Review Table. Your review and synthesis should amass a body of consistent and convincing evidence to answer your aim. There is no pre-determined number of studies required to assemble a convincing evidence review table, however, a body of evidence of seven or more sources would be advised.

Review the procedure for conducting an evidence appraisal as instructed in previous UMSON DNP Program coursework and view the DNP Quality Improvement Brief on Evidence Appraisal for guidance. Use the Evidence Review Template and sample in the Evidence Review Folder under the Assignments tab for completing the course assignment.

Evidence Synthesis

Evidence synthesis has an important role to play in how health care decisions are made. Practice cannot be based on the findings from a single study alone. A single study could be valid, but it could also be biased, with inaccurate conclusions. Therefore, a synthesized body of research is needed to demonstrate consistent findings, from consistent procedures, with a consistent population.

Evidence synthesis refers to the process of bringing together information from a range of sources to inform decisions. Group like-level evidence together and analyze for similarities and differences in methodology and findings. Like-design studies, with more consistency in their sample, power, setting, procedures, validity, reliability, and findings are regarded as having higher quality. Refer to the Evidence Review Table under the Assignment Tab for the Synthesis Table Template and example.