Searching Databases and Developing PICOT Question

Searching Databases

When you decide to purchase a new car, you first decide what is important to you. If mileage and dependability are the important factors, you will search for data focused more on these factors and less on color options and sound systems.



The same holds true when searching for research evidence to guide your clinical inquiry and professional decisions. Developing a formula for an answerable, researchable question that addresses your need will make the search process much more effective. One such formula is the PICO(T) format.



In this Discussion, you will transform a clinical inquiry into a searchable question in PICO(T) format, so you can search the electronic databases more effectively and efficiently. You will share this PICO(T) question and examine strategies you might use to increase the rigor and effectiveness of a database search on your PICO(T) question.



To Prepare:



Review the Resources and identify a clinical issue of interest that can form the basis of a clinical inquiry.

Review the materials offering guidance on using databases, performing keyword searches, and developing PICO(T) questions provided in the Resources.

Based on the clinical issue of interest and using keywords related to the clinical issue of interest, search at least two different databases in the Walden Library to identify at least four relevant peer-reviewed articles related to your clinical issue of interest. You should not be using systematic reviews for this assignment, select original research articles.

Review the Resources for guidance and develop a PICO(T) question of interest to you for further study. It is suggested that an Intervention-type PICOT question be developed as these seem to work best for this course.

Review the Resources and identify a clinical issue of interest that can form the basis of a clinical inquiry.

Review the materials offering guidance on using databases, performing keyword searches, and developing PICO(T) questions provided in the Resources.

Based on the clinical issue of interest and using keywords related to the clinical issue of interest, search at least two different databases in the Walden Library to identify at least four relevant peer-reviewed articles related to your clinical issue of interest. You should not be using systematic reviews for this assignment, select original research articles.

Review the Resources for guidance and develop a PICO(T) question of interest to you for further study. It is suggested that an Intervention-type PICOT question be developed as these seem to work best for this course.

Review the Resources and identify a clinical issue of interest that can form the basis of a clinical inquiry.

Review the materials offering guidance on using databases, performing keyword searches, and developing PICO(T) questions provided in the Resources.

Based on the clinical issue of interest and using keywords related to the clinical issue of interest, search at least two different databases in the Walden Library to identify at least four relevant peer-reviewed articles related to your clinical issue of interest. You should not be using systematic reviews for this assignment, select original research articles.

Review the Resources for guidance and develop a PICO(T) question of interest to you for further study. It is suggested that an Intervention-type PICOT question be developed as these seem to work best for this course.

Review the Resources and identify a clinical issue of interest that can form the basis of a clinical inquiry.

Review the materials offering guidance on using databases, performing keyword searches, and developing PICO(T) questions provided in the Resources.

Based on the clinical issue of interest and using keywords related to the clinical issue of interest, search at least two different databases in the Walden Library to identify at least four relevant peer-reviewed articles related to your clinical issue of interest. You should not be using systematic reviews for this assignment, select original research articles.

Review the Resources for guidance and develop a PICO(T) question of interest to you for further study. It is suggested that an Intervention-type PICOT question be developed as these seem to work best for this course.

Required Readings

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2018). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.



Chapter 2, “Asking Compelling Clinical Questions” (pp. 33–54)

Chapter 3, “Finding Relevant Evidence to Answer Clinical Questions” (pp. 55–92)

Davies, K. S. (2011). Formulating the evidence based practice question: A review of the frameworks for LIS professionals. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 6(2), 75–80.



Library of Congress. (n.d.). Search/browse help - Boolean operators and nesting. Retrieved September 19, 2018, from https://catalog(dot)loc(dot)gov/vwebv/ui/en_US/htdocs/help/searchBoolean.html



Stillwell, S. B., Fineout-Overholt, E., Melnyk, B. M., & Williamson, K. M. (2010). Evidence-based practice, step by step: Asking the clinical question: A key step in evidence-based practice. American Journal of Nursing, 110(3), 58–61.



Melnyk, B. M., Fineout-Overholt, E., Stillwell, S. B., & Williamson, K. M. (2009). Evidence-based practice: Step by step: Igniting a spirit of inquiry. American Journal of Nursing, 109(11), 49–52. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000363354.53883.58



Stillwell, S.B., Fineout-Overhold, E., Melnyk, B.M., & Williamson, K.M. (2010). Evidence-based practice step-by-step: Searching for evidence. American Journal of Nursing, 110(5), 41-47.



Walden University Library. (n.d.-a). Databases A-Z: Nursing. Retrieved September 6, 2019, from https://academicguides(dot)waldenu(dot)edu/az.php?s=19981



Walden University Library. (n.d.-c). Evidence-based practice research: CINAHL search help. Retrieved September 6, 2019, from https://academicguides(dot)waldenu(dot)edu/library/healthevidence/cinahlsearchhelp



Walden University Library. (n.d.-d). Evidence-based practice research: Joanna Briggs Institute search help. Retrieved September 6, 2019, from https://academicguides(dot)waldenu(dot)edu/library/healthevidence/jbisearchhelp



Walden University Library. (n.d.-e). Evidence-based practice research: MEDLINE search help. Retrieved September 6, 2019, from https://academicguides(dot)waldenu(dot)edu/library/healthevidence/medlinesearchhelp



Walden University Library. (n.d.-f). Keyword searching: Finding articles on your topic: Boolean terms. Retrieved September 19, 2018, from http://academicguides(dot)waldenu(dot)edu/library/keyword/boolean



Walden University Library. (n.d.-g). Keyword searching: Finding articles on your topic: Introduction to keyword searching. Retrieved September 19, 2018, from http://academicguides(dot)waldenu(dot)edu/library/keyword/searching-basics



Walden University Library. (n.d.-h). Quick Answers: How do I find a systematic review article related to health, medicine, or nursing? Retrieved September 6, 2019, from https://academicanswers(dot)waldenu(dot)edu/faq/72670



Walden University Library. (n.d.-i). Systematic review. Retrieved January 22, 2020, from https://academicguides(dot)waldenu(dot)edu/library/healthevidence/types#s-lg-box-1520654

Students, you have now chosen the topic that you will use for the rest of this session in all assignments, and most discussions. Keeping this clinical issue in mind, you will develop a PICOT question this week. The research studies that you are finding in the professional literature should ANSWER this question. Think about the parts of the PICOT:



P-population or problem (adults with heart disease who are hospitalized, incarcerated males with mental health disorders, etc...)



I-intervention (This is the new way you want to try to solve the problem. What is another intervention you'd like to implement to see if it works better?)



C-Comparison (this is the current or old way of doing things-the old intervention you'd like to replace with your proposed intervention)



O-Outcome-what do you hope to achieve with the new intervention?



T-may or may not be needed.



All of the research studies you choose should directly answer your question. If an article you are considering does not answer the question, put it back and keep looking. Keep the focus on the question.

Students, you have now chosen the topic that you will use for the rest of this session in all assignments, and most discussions. Keeping this clinical issue in mind, you will develop a PICOT question this week. The research studies that you are finding in the professional literature should ANSWER this question. Think about the parts of the PICOT:



P-population or problem (adults with heart disease who are hospitalized, incarcerated males with mental health disorders, etc...)



I-intervention (This is the new way you want to try to solve the problem. What is another intervention you'd like to implement to see if it works better?)



C-Comparison (this is the current or old way of doing things-the old intervention you'd like to replace with your proposed intervention)



O-Outcome-what do you hope to achieve with the new intervention?



T-may or may not be needed.



All of the research studies you choose should directly answer your question. If an article you are considering does not answer the question, put it back and keep looking. Keep the focus on the question.



I want my paper to be about how when should patients be transfered to hospice to get the benefits that they need rather than keep providing the treatment knowing that it is not beneficial to the patient. Example cancer patients are tranfered to hospice when they are in the dying process. Patients that are receiving treatment that is not benefial should be informed of the outcome. Hospice is a program that prepares the patient and the family of the death and dying process.