DNP 820 Topic 8 DQ 1: research, utilisation and EBP
Research utilisation is the term that carries the question: it is applying findings from a study, while EBP is a decision process combining evidence with expertise and preference — and collapsing them loses the point.
Editorial process
Last reviewed · August 15, 2026
Three terms, and the middle one is the forgotten one
Three terms are named and the middle one is the one the prompt is really testing, because most answers define research and EBP correctly and treat research utilisation as an older phrase for the same thing. It is not. Research is the systematic generation of new knowledge: a question, a design, data collection, analysis, and a finding that did not exist before. Research utilisation is the direct application of findings from research into practice — historically the earlier movement, and narrower, because it starts from a study and asks where it can be used. Evidence-based practice starts from the other end: it begins with a clinical question, searches and appraises the whole body of evidence rather than one study, and then combines that with clinical expertise and patient preference to reach a decision. Research generates, utilisation pushes outward, and practice pulls evidence toward itself. The verb in each definition is the tell.
Say that direction of travel explicitly, because it is the cleanest way to hold the three apart: research generates, utilisation pushes a finding outward from a study, and EBP pulls evidence toward a question that practice has already raised. Then give one example of each, since the prompt asks for examples and they are what demonstrate the distinction rather than asserting it. Research is conducting a trial of a repositioning schedule and measuring pressure injury rates. Research utilisation is reading that trial and changing your unit's schedule to match it. Evidence-based practice is starting from your own rising injury rate, searching what is known about prevention, appraising the studies you find, weighing them against what your staffing allows and what patients will tolerate, and deciding. The third is the only one of the three that can conclude the evidence does not fit here, and saying so shows the distinction is understood rather than memorised.
Likely learning objectives
Inferred from the brief — check these against your own rubric.
- 01Distinguish three related but different activities.
- 02Recover research utilisation as a distinct concept rather than an old synonym.
- 03Explain evidence-based practice as a decision process, not an evidence source.
- 04Illustrate each with a worked example.
Read the full question
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DNP 820 Topic 8 DQ 1 Describe and discuss the differences between research, research utilization, and evidence-based practice I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receives strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course! Name: Discussion Rubric Grid View List View Excellent 90–100 Good 80–89 Fair 70–79 Poor 0–69 Main Posting: Response to the Discussion question is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. 40 (40%) – 44 (44%) Thoroughly responds to the Discussion question(s). Is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. No less than 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least three current credible sources. 35 (35%) – 39 (39%) Responds to most of the Discussion question(s). Is somewhat reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. 50% of the post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least three credible references. 31 (31%) – 34 (34%) Responds to some of the Discussion question(s). One to two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed. Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Cited with fewer than two credible references. 0 (0%) – 30 (30%) Does not respond to the Discussion question(s). Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria. Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Contains only one or no credible references. Main Posting: Writing 6 (6%) – 6 (6%) Written clearly and concisely. Contains no grammatical or spelling errors. Adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Written concisely. May contain one to two grammatical or spelling errors. Adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Written somewhat concisely. May contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Contains some APA formatting errors. 0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Not written clearly or concisely. Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style. Main Posting: Timely and full participation 9 (9%) – 10 (10%) Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation. Posts main Discussion by due date. 8 (8%) – 8 (8%) Meets requirements for full participation. Posts main Discussion by due date. 7 (7%) – 7 (7%) Posts main Discussion by due date. 0 (0%) – 6 (6%) Does not meet requirements for full participation. Does not post main Discussion by due date. First Response: Post to colleague’s main post that is reflective and justified with credible sources. 9 (9%) – 9 (9%) Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Responds to questions posed by faculty. The use of scholarly sources to support ideas demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. 8 (8%) – 8 (8%) Response has some depth and may exhibit critical thinking or application to practice setting. 7 (7%) – 7 (7%) Response is on topic and may have some depth. 0 (0%) – 6 (6%) Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. First Response: Writing 6 (6%) – 6 (6%) Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Response to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Communication is mostly professional and respectful to colleagues. Response to faculty questions are mostly answered, if posed. Provides opinions and ideas that are supported by few credible sources. Response is written in standard, edited English. 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Response posed in the Discussion may lack effective professional communication. Response to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Few or no credible sources are cited. 0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Responses posted in the Discussion lack effective communication. Response to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited. First Response: Timely and full participation 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation. Posts by due date. 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Meets requirements for full participation. Posts by due date. 3 (3%) – 3 (3%) Posts by due date. 0 (0%) – 2 (2%) Does not meet requirements for full participation. Does not post by due date. Second Response: Post to colleague’s main post that is reflective and justified with credible sources. 9 (9%) – 9 (9%) Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Responds to questions posed by faculty. The use of scholarly sources to support ideas demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. 8 (8%) – 8 (8%) Response has some depth and may exhibit critical thinking or application to practice setting. 7 (7%) – 7 (7%) Response is on topic and may have some depth. 0 (0%) – 6 (6%) Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Second Response: Writing 6 (6%) – 6 (6%) Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Response to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Communication is mostly professional and respectful to colleagues. Response to faculty questions are mostly answered, if posed. Provides opinions and ideas that are supported by few credible sources. Response is written in standard, edited English. 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Response posed in the Discussion may lack effective professional communication. Response to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Few or no credible sources are cited. 0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Responses posted in the Discussion lack effective communication. Response to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited. Second Response: Timely and full participation 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation. Posts by due date. 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Meets requirements for full participation. Posts by due date. 3 (3%) – 3 (3%) Posts by due date. 0 (0%) – 2 (2%) Does not meet requirements for full participation. Does not post by due date. Total Points: 100 Name: Discussion Rubric
Turn the brief into deliverables
- 01Definitions of all three terms.
- 02The direction of travel that distinguishes them.
- 03One example of each.
- 04Recognition that EBP can conclude against adoption.
Define each, then one example of each
Research
Define the systematic generation of new knowledge.
Research utilisation
Define applying a specific study's findings, and note its historical priority.
Evidence-based practice
Define the decision process combining appraised evidence, expertise and preference.
Three examples
Illustrate each with the same clinical problem to make the contrast visible.
Where each activity is described in its own terms
Recommended databases
- CINAHL
- PubMed Central
- Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing
- StatPearls
Search sequence
- 1.Search research utilization AND nursing for the term's own literature rather than an EBP text.
- 2.Read a definition of EBP that names all three components.
- 3.Find one example of a practice change driven by a single study.
- 4.Look for a case where appraisal led to not adopting a finding.
Reference shortlist
These are authoritative starting points, not a ready-made bibliography. A qualified reviewer must confirm that each source fits the assignment and supports the claim beside which it is cited.
Nothing here is cleared for citation until you have read it.
- 01
Evidence-Based Medicine
StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf · 2024
Evidence-based medicine as a decision process rather than a body of literature, which is the core distinction.
- 02
Nursing Professional Development Evidence-Based Practice
StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf · 2024
EBP set inside professional development, useful for separating the activity from the evidence.
- 03
QSEN: Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes Associated With Evidence-Based Practice (Table 9.4)
Nursing Management and Professional Concepts, Chippewa Valley Technical College (NCBI Bookshelf) · 2022
Knowledge, skills and attitudes for EBP stated separately, which maps onto the three-way distinction.
- 04
The Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Health Care©
University of Iowa Health Care · 2017
A model that begins from a practice trigger rather than from a study, which is the direction-of-travel point made concrete.
Review before submission
Common mistakes
- Treating research utilisation as an old name for EBP.
- Defining EBP as using research, which omits expertise and preference.
- Giving one example intended to cover all three.
- Describing EBP as a source of evidence rather than a decision process.
- Missing that EBP starts from a practice question rather than from a study.
Submission checklist
- Is research utilisation given a definition of its own?
- Does your EBP definition include expertise and preference?
- Is there a separate example for each term?
- Have you stated the direction each starts from?
- Could a reader place a new activity into the right category?
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