Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources

1

Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources

Perla Rodriguez

Capella University

NURS-FPX 4030 Making Evidence-Based Decisions

Dr. Alexandra Tripp

June 11, 2022

2

Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources

Evidence compiled from investigative research is a significant element that aid in

improving the quality of care disseminated in healthcare organizations. However, for the evidence

compiled from studies to be meaningful quality improvement measures that increase the safety of

the patient population, it should be derived from credible sources (Ahmad & Jan, 2018). A case in

point is determining the intervention to use for a significant health issue: the currency of obesity in

children and adolescents. A research question was formulated to compile significant evidence

indicating the best intervention for this population.

Several aspects can be used to determine the credibility of the sources used to compile

evidence to answer the research question and deduce the best practices to adopt in the clinical

setting to reduce incidences of excessive weight in children. The first factor is the authors of the

articles used to compile information (Ahmad & Jan, 2018). For the sources to be credible, they

should be articulated by experts in the medical field with adequate knowledge of the topic. The

accreditation of the professionals should be displayed on the source of information to prove their

credibility. For example, in the case of excessive weight in children, the article should be

articulated by those who work closely with this population, such as physicians, pediatricians, or

nurses. Another factor that should be used to determine the credibility of sources is that they

should be peer-reviewed. Peer-reviewed sources are those journal articles that have been

scrutinized by experts in a particular field to ensure that the documented content is reliable (Ahmad

& Jan, 2018). For example, in this context, the articles should be reviewed by pediatricians who are

highly knowledgeable on the subject of excessive weight in young ones.

Lloyd et al. (2018) is an example of a journal article that contains information on the

intervention that can be used to prevent incidences of excessive body weight in children. It is a

3

credible source because it is written by experts in the medical field who are knowledgeable on the

issue of excessive body mass in children. A look at the article shows that the professionals'

credentials are displayed strategically at the top of the article. Also, the article is peer-reviewed,

evident in its information indicating the period of its authentication. Similarly, Love et al. (2019)

investigates the issues of excessive weight in young ones and provide significant insights on the

strategies that can be used to control it. The source is credible because it is documented by experts

in the medical field.

The evidence-based practice model suitable for determining the effectiveness of compiled

journal articles that should be incorporated in the study is the John Hopkins model. The model can

determine the effectiveness of the articles because it categorizes the evidence compiled from

articles in levels depending on their reliability and the possibility of the compiled information

being biased (Slavin, 2020). The most reliable evidence is level I which consists of evidence

compiled from engaging in investigative research that can be duplicated to confirm its reliability. It

is significant to encapsulate credible evidence into an EBP model used to address a vital health

issue because it ensures that it will elicit positive outcomes (Slavin, 2020). For example, when

looking for interventions that can help prevent obesity in children, using credible evidence will

improve the quality of care patients receive and minimize exposure to unprecedented risks.

In conclusion, determining the credibility of sources is an important process that indicates

whether the evidence compiled from them is reliable. Using an evidence-based practice model

further determines the effectiveness of the evidence and whether it can be applied adequately in

resolving a healthcare issue.

4

References

Ahmad, M., & Jan, M. A. (2018). Evaluating Research: Diversity and Credibility of Information

Sources. Dialogue (Pakistan), 13(4).

Lloyd, J., Creanor, S., Logan, S., Green, C., Dean, S. G., Hillsdon, M., ... & Wyatt, K. (2018).

Effectiveness of the Healthy Lifestyles Programme (HeLP) to prevent obesity in UK

primary-school children: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

http://www.thelancet.com/child-adolescent

Slavin, R. E. (2020). How evidence-based reform will transform research and practice in

education. Educational Psychologist, 55(1), 21-31.