Athletic Training

This guide is designed to help you learn how to use K-State Libraries' many resources.  In this guide, you will find pages about the following topics.

• Research Terminology provides definitions of terms used in EBP and research.
• Evidence-Based Practice provides a definition and review fo the EBP process.
• Clinical Question and PICO defines the clinical question and how PICO helps to create it.
• Databases to use to find EBP articles.
• Supporting Class Resources lists online resources of ebooks and similar resources.
• APA Format and Paraphrasing provides resources and examples for following the APA citation style and paraphrasing.
• Zotero describes a free citation management system for organizing all your citations.
• Help lists locations for assistance with writing assignments.

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."

The 5-step process for evidence-based practice will be discussed in other sections of this guide.

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.