JHHS Nursing

When setting out to do an EBP project, you'll need to have a well-developed research question. The JHNEBP Model's Appendix A - PET Process Guide, supplies you with a checklist to ensure that you have thought through all the steps and have a winning team in place prior to the start. PET stands for Practice Question, Evidence, Translation.

When framing the EBP question, consider ideas such as:

• What is the problem, and why is it important to fix it?
• What is the current practice?
• What kinds of evidence or study types will help answer the question?

Is your question a background question or a foreground question? 

Background Questions - These are usually broad and used in the beginning. Background questions can be refined and adjusted as continue to develop the search. Background questions frequently assist in identifying best practices.

Foreground Questions - These types of questions are focused, with specific comparisons of ideas or interventions. Foreground questions can provide specific evidence related to the research question. Background questions can turn into foreground questions as the review progresses.

This process can be identified in the JHNEBP Model, Appendix B - Question Development Tool. After you've completed Appendix A and Appendix B, complete Appendix C - Stakeholder Analysis and Communication Tool. This form is used to identify key stakeholders that can support decision-making, serve as subject matter experts, or implement change.

Reference: Dang, D., Dearholt, S.L., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals. Sigma Theta Tau.

If your question doesn't fit into the PICO framework, review our Formulating Your Research Question page on our Expert Searching Guide.

PICO - additional letters (for PICOT, PICOS, PICOTS, PICOTTS)

• Timeframe
• Type of study
• Setting

For PICO examples, we recommend the UNC Research Guide.