PICOT Questions and an Evidence-Based Approach Scoring Guide
| CRITERIA | NON-PERFORMANCE | BASIC | PROFICIENT | DISTINGUISHED |
| Define a practice issue to be explored via a PICO(T) approach. | Does not define a practice issue. | Defines a practice issue, but does not frame it within the context of a PICO(T) question or approach. | Defines a practice issue to be explored via a PICO(T) approach. | Defines a practice issue to be explored via a PICO(T) approach. Notes how theexploration of the practice issue will benefit from a PICO(T) approach. |
| Identifysources of evidence that could bepotentially effective in answering a PICO(T) question. | Does not identify sources of evidence. | Identifiessources of evidence, but does not connect them to the PICO(T) question, or the connection is unclear. | Identifiessources of evidence that could bepotentially effective in answering a PICO(T) question. | Identifiessources of evidence that could bepotentially effective in answering a PICO(T) question. Presents criteria or rationale used to determine potential to answer the PICO(T) question. |
| Explain the findings from articles or other sources of evidence. | Does not list the findings from articles or other sources of evidence. | Lists the findings from articles or other sources of evidence, but does not offer afull explanation. | Explains the findings from articles or other sources of evidence that are relevant to a PICO(T) question.PICOT Questions and anEvidence-BasedApproachScoring Guide | Explains the findings from articles or other sources of evidence that are relevant to a PICO(T) question. Notes which sources are the mostcredible. |
| Explain the relevance of the findings from chosen sources of evidence to making decisions related to a PICO(T) question. | Does notidentify the relevance of the findings from chosen sources of evidence. | Identifies the relevance of the findings from chosen sources of evidence, but does not offer afull explanation. | Explains the relevance of the findings from chosen sources of evidence to making decisions related to a PICO(T) question. | Explains the relevance of the findings from chosen sources of evidence to making decisions related to a PICO(T) question. Notes which findings are the mostrelevant or likely to lead to positive outcomes. |
| Communicate using writing that is clear, logical, and professional with correct | Does not communicate using writing that is clear, logical, and professional, | Communicates using unclear or illogical writing that contains many errors in | Communicates using writing that is clear, logical, and professional with correct | Communicates using writing that is clear, logical, and professional, with correct |
| grammar andspelling using current APAstyle. | with correct grammar andspelling, using current APAstyle. | grammar or APA style. | grammar andspelling using current APAstyle. | grammar andspelling, using error-free,current APAstyle. |
Resources:
The resources below explore the PICO(T) process:
- Abbade, L. P. F., Wang, M., Sriganesh, K., Jin, Y., Mbuagbaw, L., & Thabane, L. (2017). The framing of research questions using the PICOT format in randomized controlled trials of venous ulcer disease is suboptimal: A systematic survey. Wound Repair & Regeneration, 25(5), 892–900.
This article presents a study that examined the use of PICO(T) questions to locate evidence related to specific types of resources and research.
Ho, G. J., Liew, S. M., Ng, C., Shunmugam, R., & Glasziou, P. (2016). Development of a search strategy for an evidence based retrieval service. PLoS One, 11(12), 1–14. Retrieved from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0167170
This article presents a study comparing the use of PICO(T) questions in a literature search to other search strategies.
These first two chapters in the following text, of which the Capella library has limited copies, could be helpful in expanding your knowledge regarding the PICO(T) process.
Boswell, C., & Cannon, S. (2015). Introduction to nursing research.Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
The resources below explore communicating research:
Joyce, M. (2015). Using narrative in nursing research. Nursing Standard (2014+), 29(38), 36–41.
This article discusses the value of using narrative (that is, story-telling) to improve communication of qualitative research.
Timmins, F. (2015). Disseminating nursing research. Nursing Standard (2014+), 29(48), 34–39.
This article discusses barriers related to nurses sharing and communicating their research, and strategies to overcome those barriers.
Writing Resources
A variety of writing resources are available in the NHS Learner Support Lab, linked in the courseroom navigation menu. Access these resources to help you better understand and improve your writing.
APA Style And Format
Capella University follows the style and formatting guidelines in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, known informally as the APA manual. Refer to the Writing Center’s APA Module for tips on proper use of APA style and format.
Resources
Access the following library resources:
- BSN Program Library Research Guide.
- The library research guide will be useful in guiding you through the Capella library, offering tips for searching the literature and other references for your assessments.
- Databases A-Z: Nursing & Health Sciences.
- This is a list of the library databases that are relevant to nursing and health sciences.
- Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Health Sciences.
- Library guide to EBP-related topics with a focus on nursing and health sciences.
- Find Scholarly & Peer-Reviewed Sources.
- Guide to help you more efficiently locate scholarly and peer-reviewed resources.
- Get Critical Search Skills.
- This guide offers a five-step approach to improving your research search effectiveness.
- If you choose not to use a problem from your practice experience as the basis of this assessment, consider reviewing the following case studies:
- National League for Nursing. (n.d.). Unfolding cases: Advancing care excellence for persons with disabilities. Retrieved from http://www.nln.org/professional-development-programs/teaching-resourc es/ace-d/unfolding-cases
- National League for Nursing. (n.d.). Unfolding cases: Advancing care excellence for seniors. Retrieved from http://www.nln.org/professional-development-programs/teaching-resourc es/ace-s.
