Email: omalley@msoe.edu
Phone:414-277-7115
Office: Walter Schroeder Library L201
If you're an instructor looking to set up a library searching session or specialized class please let me know. I'd be happy to work with you!
Evidence Appraisal is done after you have finalized your search and gathered all of the resources in one place, like a citation manager. From there you will need to look at each individual paper to determine:
Other things to keep in mind when evaluating a resource:
This is a typical looking Pyramid of Evidence that can be used to help you conceptualize the level of evidence each study design falls under. Towards the top of the pyramid you have filtered information - meaning that researchers have collected and synthesized the data through multiple forms of standards, protocols, and other criteria. Unfiltered information usually tends to be from a single source and doesn't corroborate its findings against other studies. There is nothing wrong with unfiltered information if that is what your project calls for. Do your best to find the highest level of evidence that you can but don't get discouraged if only unfiltered information is out there on your topic. Sometimes a well written literature review is much better than a poorly written systematic review.
Edmonds SW, Cullen L, DeBerg J. The Problem with the Pyramid for Grading Evidence: The Evidence Funnel Solution. J Perianesth Nurs. 2024 Jun;39(3):484-488. doi: 10.1016/j.jopan.2023.10.015. PMID: 38823963.
This Evidence Funnel is an updated take on the Evidence Pyramid. The funnel helps conceptualize EBP as you want to take the pyramid and flip it in order to better help your patients in a holistic way. Once you have evaluated the quality of the evidence you can then use that information to fit the needs of your individual patient.