The Levels of Evidence are often represented by a pyramid, with the highest levels of evidence (least common) near the top, and the lowest levels of evidence (most common) near the bottom. The pyramid above is based on the TRIP rating system for therapeutic studies, but a variety of rating systems exist.
Use the links below to find articles and guidelines that provide high-quality SUMMARIES of research.
SUMMARIES are secondary sources.
SUMMARIES are regularly updated guidelines that integrate evidence-based information about specific clinical problems.
Resource types that qualify as SUMMARIES include practice guidelines, clinical reviews, and position statements.
AOTA Practice Guidelines(Requires AOTA log-in) Based on findings of systematic reviews, topic specific Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines define the occupational therapy domain and process and interventions that occur within the boundaries of acceptable practice. The guidelines can be a useful tool for improving the quality of health care, enhancing consumer satisfaction, promoting appropriate use of services, and reducing costs.
Use the links below to find articles that provide SYNTHESES or SYNOPSES of research.
SYNTHESES and SYNOPSES are secondary sources.
SYNTHESES and SYNOPSES gather and present evidence from high-quality studies surrounding a specific research question.
Resource types that qualify as SYNTHESES or SYNOPSIS include meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and certain randomized controlled trials, some with quality ratings based on study methodology.
A collection of databases that contain evidence, including systematic reviews, to inform healthcare decision-making for clinical treatment decisions. Provides other sources of information, including technology assessments, economic evaluations and individual clinical trials.
The most comprehensive medical database. This resource covers medicine, dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, biomedical research, clinical practice, administration, policy issues, and health care services. This public version provides a Clinical Queries search interface.
A database that contains abstracts of systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials and other resources relevant to occupational therapy interventions. Most trials have been critically appraised for their validity and interpretability.
A public database of randomised (randomized) trials (RCTs), systematic reviews and practice guidelines for evidence-based physiotherapy or physical therapy.
The most comprehensive medical database. This resource covers medicine, dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, biomedical research, clinical practice, administration, policy issues, and health care services. This public version provides a Clinical Queries search interface.
Article database covering the fields of nursing and allied health. CINAHL also includes Evidence-Based Care Sheets and Quick Lessons which provide concise overviews of diseases and conditions and outline the most effective treatment options.
Search the web for articles, books, theses, and other sources spanning many disciplines. Many results will be from scholarly sources. Access full-text articles from your search by selecting the FullText@NAU link. To see the FullText@NAU links in Google Scholar from any computer anywhere, link your Google Scholar account to NAU.
NARIC is an open-access library published by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. It's home to the REHABDATA database, which includes resources of particular importance for occupational therapy and physical therapy research.
NARIC also houses online reference guides focusing on disability services. It also includes lists of professional organizations in rehabilitative care.
Offers reliable, up-to-date health information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language that is easy to understand. Produced by the National Library of Medicine.
Other NAU resources
Search for additional condition-specific information in the Books and eBooks tabs above.
Physician-authored clinical decision support resource used by clinicians to make point-of-care decisions. (In support of healthcare education in Arizona, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona has sponsored this for your use.)
Citation database of scholarly articles, books, and conference proceedings spanning the sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, arts, and humanities. For an alternative, try Web of Science.
Provides information on periodicals, both popular and scholarly, including subject, publisher, fulltext and indexing database coverage, and reviews written by librarians.
Citation database of scholarly articles spanning the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Indexing goes back to 1900. This database can also search for articles that cite a particular work or author. Formerly called Web of Knowledge.
Films on Demand is a database that provides access to over 20,000 streaming videos appropriate for academic research. Videos can be watched in their entirety, or as individual segments, on your computer.
A collection of about 20,000 images from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) for free public use.
Anatomical Models
PBC Library hosts an extensive collection of advanced, anatomical models available for student and faculty use. If you'd like to checkout one of the models, please keep in mind:
Models are only available during staffed hours for in-library use only
Please inform front-desk staff if you'd like to remove a model from the shelf
Staff can also help you access the models stored off-shelf
All models must be checked out at the front desk before use
Acland's Atlas of Human Anatomypresents dissections of unembalmed human bodies, allowing access to specific content through indexes and keyword searches. The specimens rotate relative to the camera, giving a three-dimensional view.
Originally designed for medical and dental students, the video atlas' realism, simple language, and three-dimensional quality, make it useful for allied health students and anyone looking for information about human anatomy.
Database to help clinicians and researchers identify reliable and valid instruments used to assess patient outcomes during all phases of rehabilitation.
Pivot is a comprehensive, editorially maintained database that combines funding opportunities with scholar profiles, available to NAU faculty, staff and graduate students at no charge.
Learn about grant opportunities for NAU graduate students:
Learn about types of travel awards offered to NAU graduate students to present at and attend conferences through Graduate Student Government and the Office of the Provost.