Paper
Friday, July 13, 2007
This presentation is part of : A Transdisciplinary Framework: Information Fluency Through the Lens of Evidence Based Practice
UCF College of Nursing IF-EBP Project
Judith P. Ruland, PhD and Jean D. Leuner, PhD. College of Nursing, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA

The first paper will present an overview of UCF College of Nursing’s (CON) three-year pilot projects to develop a plan for IF across three levels of nursing curriculum: bachelors, masters, and doctorate. The College of Nursing has adapted the UCF IF Model to examine information fluency through the lens of evidence based practice (EBP). EBP typically involves a process of identifying a clinical or health care problem, refining and distilling the identified problem into a researchable question, reviewing the relevant evidence on the topic, critically appraising the evidence, synthesizing the evidence, and if appropriate, making recommendations for changes in practice or health care, as well as future research, and policy. The College of Nursing IF-EBP framework includes the student’s ability to gather, use, and evaluate information. 

Goals for Year One of the project focused on assessment including: (1.) determine appropriate benchmark competencies at each level; (2.) survey incoming students in the areas of information literacy and evidence-based practice readiness; (3.) examine mission, philosophy, and program outcomes in relationship to IF; (4.) promote increased understanding of IF skills among faculty and create the IF-EBP framework programs in CON.  Year Two will be the implementation phase of the plan with year three as the completed assessment of the project.