Nursing-Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model

You will use the Research Evidence Appraisal Tool (Appendix E) to evaluate studies for Levels I, II, and III.

• Level I-Random Control Trials
• Level II-Quasi-experimental
• Level III-Non-experimental

These can be either single research studies or systematic reviews. Single research studies can be quantitative, qualitative, or a combination of both (mixed methods). A systematic review summarizes already-published research on a topic.

There are several clues to look for to determine if an article is a single research study or systematic review including:

• The subtitle of the article will often use the name of the research method
• Skim the abstract for the methods
• The record for the article will often describe the publication type
• Read the first few lines of the methods section of the article

The Research Evidence Appraisal Tool (Appendix E) is linked below.

 Dang, D., Dearholt, S., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2022). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines. 4th ed. Sigma Theta Tau International

Quantitative studies collect and analyze measurable numerical data. They can be level I, II, or III.

Qualitative studies collect and analyze narrative data. All qualitative studies are Level III.

Mixed methods studies collect and analyze both numerical and narrative data. The quantitative part and qualitative parts must be assessed separately.

Systematic reviews collect, critically appraise and synthesize findings from research studies. They must be comprehensive and repeatable, and attempt to collect all the data on the pre-defined question. They may include meta-analysis (the statistical combination of the data collected). These reviews are assessed by the Research Evidence Appraisal Tool (Appendix E) in the Johns Hopkins EBP Model. According to the model, systematic reviews can be:

• Level I-only included random control trials
• Level II-combination of random control trials and other types of experimental studies
• Level III-combination of different types of studies and includes non-experimental studies.