Training and Information Skills

ASK patient-centred, focused question(s).  Your question should be well defined, focused, and note your inclusion/exclusion criteria.

There is a difference between a topic and a question, a topic is a broad area that you might be interested in or working in, but a question is specific and will direct your search, and your search may be easier.  You may have more than one question arising from your topic. 

ACQUIRE the best evidence relevant to your questions. 

1. Think about where you will search. 
2. What databases will you use?
3. Will you also search other resources like guidelines, trials, reports, websites, blogs, vlogs, multimedia, social media?.
4. Develop an appropriate search strategy.

DOCUMENT your search, save your search strategy and results.

SCREEN your results.

APPRAISE  - appraise the results to check for bias, quality, reliability, applicability.

More information can be found on  Searching Systematically guide and References & Citations guide