Plan your research

What is evidence-based practice (EPB)?

EBP is the process of applying up-to-date research in conjunction with clinical expertise and patient values and choices, to ensure the best possible care. EPB therefore occurs at the intersection of evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preference. We locate the best evidence by asking a focused, clearly formulated question and using systematic and explicit methods to identify, select and appraise research and data.

Why is EBP important?

• Keeps you up with new developments
• Assists with making informed clinical decisions based on quality evidence
• Helps incorporate research into practice
• Contributes to increased patient satisfaction.

Successful EBP hinges on access to high quality information. Research has shown that when clinicians have access to this information, patient care management is better informed 75% of the time, and when clinicians access these resources, 95% if their clinical decisions are better informed (Marshall, 2013).

Education and Training

BMJ Best Practice EBM toolkit

CIAP EBP Learning modules have been developed to support NSW Health clinicians gain skills to integrate the best available evidence into practice. Each learning module focuses on a different aspect of EBP.

• Module 1 Introduction to EBP - Introduces the concept and five steps of evidence-based practice (EBP) to improve patient outcomes. The levels of evidence including primary and secondary forms of evidence.
• Module 2 Ask the Question - The PICO methodology for formulating a searchable question and techniques for building a search strategy including identifying search terms, subject headings, Boolean operators, and applying limits.
• Module 3 Acquire the Evidence – This module applies skills to acquire primary and secondary evidence from well-known databases such as Medline and Embase. Database navigation and key features including basic and advanced search, subject headings, combining search terms, and applying limits to search results are discussed.
• Module 4 Appraise, Apply, Assess the Evidence – This module introduces a framework to critically appraise the literature to judge its trustworthiness, value, and relevance. How to apply the best available evidence into practice as well as assessing the effects of change in practice are also covered.

Systematic review

Systematic reviews identify areas of uncertainty and where little or no relevant research has been done and where new studies might be needed.

A systematic review is:

• An authoritative account of the existing evidence using reliable, objective, thorough and reproducible research practices.
• A method of making sense of large bodies of information and assists in determining what works and what doesn’t in healthcare.
  
  

It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the systematic review process before beginning your review. You can do this by searching for other systematic reviews to look at as examples and by learning how to distinguish between types of reviews.

What are systematic reviews? (Cochrane video)

Other review types

Sutton, A., Clowes, M., Preston, L. and Booth, A. (2019), Meeting the review family: exploring review types and associated information retrieval requirements. Health Info Libr J, 36: 202-222. https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12276

Systematic review types: meet the family (Covidence)

Literature review

A literature review summarises, interprets, and critically evaluates the literature to establish current knowledge of a subject.

Both review types synthesise evidence and provide a summary of information. The key difference lies in the methodology. Systematic review methods are transparent and reproducible, designed to minimise bias. Unlike systematic reviews, the methods are generally not predefined and are not described in detail in the review. The search may be comprehensive but is not designed to be exhaustive.

How does a Systematic Review differ from a literature review?

Systematic Review Course (HETI)

Request a synthesis review

Request a literature search

A protocol is the document that outlines the study plan for a clinical research project. The study plan must be carefully designed to ensure it protects the health and safety of participants as well as answer a research question. It ensures the integrity of the research is preserved throughout the life of the study.

Different study designs require different protocols. Below is a list of common protocol elements.

Background

• Analysis of previous literature and studies
• Rationale of the project

Aim

• Research question
• Objectives

Plan of investigation

• Study design
• Description of the study population and study groups
• Sequence of procedures
• Variables to be measured and measurement methods
• Planned statistical analyses

A protocol is a mandatory component of a Human Research Ethics Application and is required for most grant applications.

Contact us to request research support or submit a synthesis review service request.

Storing and managing data appropriately during the research process ensures that it can be easily shared, re-used or reproduced.

Types of research data include

• Excel spreadsheets
• Specimens and samples
• Survey responses
• Hard-copy documents and notebooks
• Photos, video and audio recordings
• Interview transcripts
• Data files

Data Management planning

During the planning process consider the following questions

• How will the data be securely stored, for the duration and after completion of the project?
• How will data files be named and organised?
• How will the collected data be analysed and interrogated?
• How will findings be shared at the conclusion of the project?
• Do data management practices adhere to legislation, organisational rules and policies?

More information is available in the University of Newcastle's Data Management planning guide.

Indigenous data

Data that involves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has many legal and ethical considerations and must be managed and shared with care. Please see guidance from the ARDC (Australian Research Data Commons).

The CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance, developed by the Global Indigenous Data Alliance (GIDA), acknowledge the crucial role of data in advancing indigenous innovation and self-determination.

Research undertaken at Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) must comply with HNELHD policies, procedures, and guidelines. Access Resources for Researchers compiled by the HNELHD Research Office or contact the Research Office.

Management of data and information in research: A guide supporting the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research supports the implementation of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018).

Education and training

Johns Hopkins Libraries: DMPTool modules. Quick and free to access.

Coursera: Introduction to Data Management Plans – prepared by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Edinburgh. Free online lessons.

All research projects undertaken at HNELHD must be approved by the Hunter New England Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). Find out more about HNELHD Research Ethics here. 

Research Governance is a framework through which institutions are accountable for the research they authorise to be conducted at their site. Find out more about HNELHD Research Governance here. 

Useful resources

The below National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines apply to all research in Australia

• National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023)
• Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research

The below guidance is aimed at the ethical conduct of clinical trials

• Australian Clinical Trial Handbook
• Therapeutic Goods Administration – Clinical Trials
• ICH Guideline for Good Clinical Practice

Consumers and Community involvement in research ensures

• Research responds to the recognised needs of those affected by health conditions and or receiving care and support from health services
• Research outcomes are accessible understandable and add value
• Research outcomes are more likely to be incorporated into everyday practice.

Useful resources

• NSW Regional Health Partners – Involving Consumers Resources
•  HNELHD – Research Office – Useful Resources
• NHMRC Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research
•  Australian Clinical Trials Alliance – Consumer Involvement & Engagement Toolkit.

When conducting indigenous research, you need to understand and acknowledge any cultural and ethical considerations and conduct your research with integrity.

Useful resources

• HNELHD Aboriginal Health Research
• NSW Health and Medical Research – Research engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research
• Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW
• NHMRC Building a Healthy Australia - Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities
• Keeping Research On Track II
• Policy reform and research - Aboriginal Affairs NSW

The HNELHD Research Office coordinates a range of grant opportunities available to HNELHD staff. 

HNELHD Research Office – Research Development: Grants, Education, Training and Awards
University of Newcastle – Grants and funding

External sources

Look for grants from national bodies such as:

• National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
• Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
• Australian Research Council (ARC)

Useful resources

• Preparing a grant application – Grants Hub Resources
• Wisdom, Jennifer P. PhD, MPH; Riley, Halley MPH; Myers, Neely PhD. Recommendations for Writing Successful Grant Proposals: An Information Synthesis. Academic Medicine 90(12):p 1720-1725, December 2015. | DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000000811