Finding the Evidence

It is important when searching for evidence that search terms are referred back to your original PICO question. The process of finding evidence therefore follow three key steps: 

  1. Identify terms to fit your PICO question
  2. Look for secondary sources
  3. Search for primary sources

See our Searching Exercise page for a guide on how to complete this process.

 

1.  Identify terms to fit your PICO question

Patient Intervention Comparison Outcome
       

Download 'Asking Clinical Questions' - guide to constructing PICO questions

 

2.  Look for secondary sources

 

3.  Search for Primary Sources

Use methodological filters to target the right type of study. For instance, PubMED filters for:

  • therapy
  • diagnosis
  • prognosis
  • aetiology

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page last edited: 07 April 2009