Primary Literature: 
Primary literature for scientists means this is the first publication of original research in journals, conference proceedings, magazines, and other sources.  Primary literature is the original work on which other works are based and usually shares new knowledge, findings, or results in its original form without interpretation by other writers.   Expect to see the following sections:

• Literature review (what do we know, how does this reserach extend our knowledge)
• Methods (population, materials, instruments, etc.)
• Results (with charts, graphs, etc.)
• Discussion

The abstract (a special kind of summary that tells exactly what the study found out) will probably include a phrase like “in this study” or something similar.  Articles will be very scholarly and appear in academic journals.

Secondary Literature:

Secondary literature examines, interprets and comments on the primary literature on a topic.  Often they are an extended literature review, but can also take the form of analysis and interpretation, but do not include any original research.

• Review article:​  Author analyzes and summarizes all of the existing original research by others on a broad topic.  The title may include the phrase “literature review” or sometimes just “review.”    Articles will be scholarly and appear in academic journals.
• News: ​Author summarizes recent research for a general or lay audience.

Evidence-based models use a process for framing a question, locating, assessing, evaluating, and repeating as needed. PICO (T) elements include: 

Problem/Patient/Population

Intervention/Indicator

Comparison

Outcome

Time element or Type of Study (optional)

_________________________________________

 Formulating a PICO question 

Frame the question: write out your information need in the form of a question, for example:

   Does hand washing among healthcare workers reduce hospital acquired infections? 

The question above includes the PICO elements:

P (Problem or Patient or Population): hospital acquired infection

I (Intervention or Indicator): hand washing

C (Comparison): no hand washing; other solution; masks

O (Outcome of interest): reduced infection

Adapted from: http://nyu.v1.libguides.com/content.php?pid=472498

ASHA

The goal of EBP is the integration of: (a) clinical expertise/expert opinion, (b) external scientific evidence, and (c) client/patient/caregiver perspectives to provide high-quality services reflecting the interests, values, needs, and choices of the individuals we serve. Conceptually, the trilateral principles forming the bases for EBP can be represented through a simple figure.

Key Steps in the EBP Process

• Framing the Clinical Question
• Finding the Evidence
• Assessing the Evidence
• Making the Clinical Decision

American Speech Language Hearing Association (2012). Evidence Based Practice. Retrieved from: http://www.asha.org/members/ebp/