1. Evidence-Based Research
Where and How to Find It
Robin Paynter, Social Work Librarian

2. Forming Useful Questions
Systems like CIAO or COPES help focus your practice issue into search concepts
COPES description:
C - Client
I - Intervention
A – Alternate
Intervention
O – Outcome
Depressed HIV positive gay client
Narrative therapy or
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Alleviate depression

3. Questions into Searching Concept synonym lists improve comprehensiveness of keyword search results:
Gay*
Homosexual*
Lesbian*
GLBT
Depress*
Narrative therapy Or
Cognitive behavioral therapy
CBT

4. Podcast workshops coming Spring 2008!
Research Tips
Who cares?
Search the databases of other disciplines interested in your topic: Sociology, Psychology, Public Policy, etc
Keyword &
Subject Search
Using keyword and subject searching leads you to the best, most relevant materials most of the time
Cited references
Consider the resources cited in an article or book you’ve found on your topic – the author wouldn’t cite unless they were relevant to the article
Who cited this article?
Find out who cited the article or book you’ve found on your topics – other authors cite if it is relevant to their work
Annual Reviews
Encyclopedias
Handbooks
Very useful tools, particularly at the beginning of research projects to get an overview of research on a field – major researchers, findings thus far, critiques of theories, methodologies and a great bibliography to find more materials
Google Scholar
Focus your search to scholarly sources -
Workshops
Portland State Library offers a variety of free, drop-in research and database workshops:
Podcast workshops coming Spring 2008!

5. Evidence Pyramid & Research Resources
Start your
search using
resources
at the top
of the pyramid
The higher in
the pyramid,
the more
reliable & valid
the evidence
Research Resources:
Cochrane Library
Campbell Collaboration
EBP Websites on Research Guide
Disciplinary Databases:
Social Services Abstracts, PsycINFO
Medline, etc
Meta-analyses
Systematic
Review
Empirical Studies
Research Resources:
Disciplinary Databases:
Social Services Abstracts, PsycINFO
Medline, etc
Case Studies
Personal Observation

6. More Research Resources
EBP & Research PSU Library
Please note: licensed databases can only be searched by the general public inside the Library building.
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Oregon Public/Academic Libraries
Contact your nearest public library/university library about available resources
Oregon DHS Adopted
Addiction & Mental Health EBPs

7. Getting It In Your Hands
Public & University Libraries
Check your local public library or nearby public university library’s holdings – they might have the article, book, database you need!
State Employees
State employees have access to the State Library’s resources:
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
Your local public library typically has an ILL service to get materials for patrons
Pay-Per-View
(PPV)
Many publishers offer PPV services on their websites – for those times when you need it right now!
Finding the citation is
one thing –-
having the article, book, review, etc. is another