Evidence-Based Nursing Practice: Definitions

For more detailed descriptions of research-related terminology, consult some of the sources on the Background page of this guide.

PICOT: 

Problem/Patient/Population

Intervention

Comparison

Outcome

Time/Type of study or question

Systematic Review

A review of a clearly formulated question that uses systematic and explicit methods to identify, select, and critically appraise relevant research, and to collect and analyse data from the studies that are included in the review. Statistical methods (meta-analysis) may or may not be used to analyse and summarise the results of the included studies.

From Glossary of Cochrane Collaboration and research terms  (https://community.cochrane.org/glossary#letter-S)

Randomized Controlled Trial

An experiment in which two or more interventions, possibly including a control intervention or no intervention, are compared by being randomly allocated to participants.

 From Glossary of Cochrane Collaboration and research terms  (https://community.cochrane.org/glossary#letter-R)

Peer Review

A refereeing process for checking the quality and importance of reports of research. An article submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal is reviewed by other experts in the area.

From Glossary of Cochrane Collaboration and research terms  (https://community.cochrane.org/glossary#letter-P)