The Steps of Evidence Based Practice.

Step 1: Formulating the question. The researcher converts the need for information about a regulatory problem into an answer- able question. For example, educators might wish to know why they cannot substitute 100% of students’ clinical experiences with simulation. Thus, the researcher might develop the following answerable question: In prelicensure programs, are clinical experiences with actual patients essential for public protection?

Step 2: Identifying and collecting evidence. The researcher search- es and retrieves published results of studies. This step requires a comprehensive review of databases and websites to ensure that all relevant primary studies have been collected.

Step 3: Appraising quality of the evidence. The researcher critically appraises the evidence for its validity and impact, or effect size, and for relevance to the question.

Step 4: Processing data. The researcher extracts and synthesizes the data, integrating them with regulatory expertise and the values of public protection.

Step 5: Disseminating findings. Results are reported to a wider policy community, and best practices are identified.

Step 6: Evaluating effectiveness and efficiency. Continuous quality improvement is conducted in an effort to seek ways to improve steps 1 through 5. 

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