Welcome to the Athletic Training Research Guide! This guide provides tools and strategies for navigating research and evidence-based practice, emphasizing how K-State Libraries' many resources can help you with these processes. If this guide does not have the information you are looking for, please email Cindy Logan or Ask A Librarian for help during Library Help Desk hours.
For accreditation purposes, Kansas State University is required to teach evidence-based practice. The NATA lists it as one of the Athletic Training Education Competencies you will be tested on for certification. Here are a couple of quotes from the 5th edition (2011), p. 11 of the Competencies, explaining its importance.
“Practicing in an evidence-based manner should not be confused with conducting research. While conducting research is important … developing the ability to conduct a research project is not an expectation of professional education.”
“[Evidence-based practice] focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level athletic trainers to use a systematic approach to ask and answer clinically relevant questions that affect patient care by using review and application of existing research evidence."
For further reading: Steves, R. & Hootman, J.M. (2004). Evidence-based medicine: What is it and how does it apply to athletic training? Journal of Athletic Training 39(1): 83-87.