PICO(T) Questions and an Evidence-Based Approach
Assessment 3 Instructions: PICO(T) Questions and an Evidence-
Based Approach
Create a 3-5-page submission in which you develop a PICO(T) question for a specific care issue and evaluate the
evidence you locate, which could help to answer the question.
PICO(T) is an acronym that helps researchers and practitioners define aspects of a potential study or investigation.
It stands for:
P – Patient/population/problem.
I – Intervention.
C – Comparison (of potential interventions, typically).
O – Outcome(s).
T – Time frame (if time frame is relevant).
The end goal of applying PICO(T) is to develop a question that can help guide the search for evidence (Boswell
Cannon, 2015). From this perspective, a PICO(T) question can be a valuable starting point for nurses who are
starting to apply an evidence-based model or EBPs. By taking the time to precisely define the areas in which the
nurse will be looking for evidence, searches become more efficient and effective. Essentially, by precisely defining
the types of evidence within specific areas, the nurse will be more likely to discover relevant and useful evidence
during their search.
You are encouraged to complete the Vila Health PCI(T) Process activity before you develop the plan proposal. This
activity offers an opportunity to practice working through creating a PICO(T) question within the context of an issue
at a Vila Health facility. These skills will be necessary to complete Assessment 3 successfully. This is for your own
practice and self-assessment and demonstrates your engagement in the course.
Demonstration of Proficiency
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies
through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:
Competency 1: Interpret findings from scholarly quantitative, qualitative, and outcomes research articles and
studies.
Explain the findings from articles or other sources of evidence.
Competency 2: Analyze the relevance and potential effectiveness of evidence when making a decision.
Identify sources of evidence that could be potentially effective in answering a PICO(T) question.
Explain the relevance of the findings from chosen sources of evidence to making decision related to a
PICO(T) question.
Competency 3: Apply an evidence-based practice model to address a practice issue.
Define a practice issue to be explored via a PICO(T) approach.
Competency 5: Apply professional, scholarly communication strategies to lead practice changes based on
evidence.
Communicate using writing that is clear, logical, and professional with correct grammar and spelling
using current APA style.
Reference
Course Navigation
Annie Kennedy
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Boswell, C., Cannon, S. (2015). Introduction to nursing research. Burlington, MA: Jones Bartlett Learning.
Professional Context
As a baccalaureate-prepared nurse, you will be responsible for locating and identifying credible and scholarly
resources to incorporate the best available evidence for the purposes of enhancing clinical reasoning and judgement
skills. When reliable and relevant evidence-based findings are utilized, patients, health care systems, and nursing
practice outcomes are positively impacted.
PICO(T) is a framework that can help you structure your definition of the issue, potential approach that you are
going to use, and your predictions related to the issue. Word choice is important in the PICO(T) process because
different word choices for similar concepts will lead you toward different existing evidence and research studies that
would help inform the development of your initial question.
Scenario
For this assessment, please use an issue of interest from your current or past nursing practice.
If you do not have an issue of interest from your personal nursing practice, then review the optional Case Studies
presented in the resources and select one of those as the basis for your assessment.
Instructions
For this assessment, select an issue of interest an apply the PICO(T) process to define the question and research it.
Your initial goal is to define the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome. In some cases, a time frame is
relevant and you should include that as well, when writing a question you can research related to your issue of
interest. After you define your question, research it, and organize your initial findings, select the two sources of
evidence that seem the most relevant to your question and analyze them in more depth. Specifically, interpret each
source’s specific findings and best practices related to your issues, as well explain how the evidence would help you
plan and make decisions related to your question.
If you need some structure to organize your initial thoughts and research, the PICOT Question and Research
Template document (accessible from the “Create PICO(T) Questions” page in the Capella library’s Evidence Based
Practice guide) might be helpful.
In your submission, make sure you address the following grading criteria:
Define a practice issue to be explored via a PICO(T) approach.
Identify sources of evidence that could be potentially effective in answering a PICO(T) question.
Explain the findings from articles or other sources of evidence.
Explain the relevance of the findings from chosen sources of evidence to making decision related to a PICO(T)
question.
Communicate using writing that is clear, logical, and professional with correct grammar and spelling using the
current APA style.
Example Assessment: You may use the following to give you an idea of what a Proficient or higher rating on the
scoring guide would look like:
Assessment 3 Example [PDF].
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Additional Requirements
Your assessment should meet the following requirements:
Length of submission: Create a 3–5-page submission focused on defining a research question and
interpreting evidence relevant to answering it.
Number of references: Cite a minimum of four sources of scholarly or professional evidence that support
your findings and considerations. Resources should be no more than 5 years old.
APA formatting: Format references and citations according to the current APA style.
Portfolio Prompt: Remember to save the final assessment to your ePortfolio so that you may refer to it as you
complete the final capstone course.
