About this guide
Credible and reliable information is core to any professional role, particularly in Health where Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) underpins patient care. EBP relies on well-founded information drawn from research studies, clinical expertise, and patient experiences.
This module is focused on finding and evaluating evidence in health research. The four main areas covered are:
Evidence types
Planning your search
Searching health databases
Evaluating evidence
What is evidence in health research?
In health research, evidence is the trustworthy information used to make decisions about healthcare. It comes from scientific studies, such as clinical trials, observational studies, or reviews that analyse research on a topic. Evidence answers important questions like what treatments work, what might cause harm, and what’s safe for patients. This information helps guide decisions about care, ensuring they are based on proven facts rather than guesses or outdated practices.
Evidence is closely tied to the information and resources you use.
Reliable information sources, like peer-reviewed journals, databases, and guidelines, are where evidence is found. Knowing how to search for, evaluate, and use these resources is key to finding the best evidence.
By relying on high-quality evidence, healthcare professionals make well-informed decisions that improve patient care and outcomes. In short, evidence turns information into actionable knowledge in healthcare.
Note
Explore the Library Evidence-Based Practice guide for a deeper dive into the principles and steps of EBP.
Attribution and acknowledgement
Crediting creators or attributing content is a core part of both academic integrity and of being a digital citizen more broadly. This guide was created by Deakin Library.
The text and layout of 'Finding evidence for your health assessment' © Deakin University (2023) and licensed under a CC BY NC 4.0