Evaluate the found results

To make a good selection from your results list, you must be able to evaluate it for quality and usefulness. There are several reasons why some resources are appropriate and others are not. For example, the information can be biased because the makers think from a certain scientific perspective, a philosophy of life, a commercial point of view, etc.

 

Therefore, always use different sources and compare them with each other.

Assessing sources

Evidence strength Pyramid

The evidence hierarchy demonstrates the different levels of research literature. As you move up the pyramid, the study design is more rigorous and allows for less bias or systematic error. The amount of available literature decreases as you move up the pyramid, but increases in its relevance to the clinical setting.

 

Evidence pyramid

 

  • Filtered information are summaries or appraisals of the literature, and often make recommendations for practice.
  • Unfiltered information are original research studies. You will need to read, interpret, and evaluate their application to practice.

Based on work of the La Trobe universiy on https://latrobe.libguides.com/ebp

Filtering Article Types

If the assignment states that you must search for unfiltered information and draw your own conclusions from it (most common with a CAT), you can filter in a number of databases on, among other things, Randomized Controlled Trials.

 

With the filters you can also adjust from which publication year the articles may come. Do you only want to see recent research? Then slide the button in the graph to the right, or click on 10 years under the Publication Date filter (the best choice depends on your subject and how much research is written about it).

 

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The decision about which articles you will use in your assignment remains your choice. Read the Abstracts with a critical eye, and adjust the search string if you are not satisfied with (the number of) found articles. If you can't figure it out, the information specialists are happy to think along with you about your search string and search strategy. However, they cannot help you choose articles.

Handy Links

Here are some interesting links and other Library Guides for you to check out. The PubMed Library Guide is currently only available in Dutch

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