ABSTRACT
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions. Its aim is to gather, assess, and apply research results that are pertinent to questions that arise in the course of everyday professional practice. Its focus is pragmatic rather than theoretic. Evidence-based library and information practice (EBLIP) comprises a set of principles and practices derived from EBP, primarily the health professions. These principles are described and referenced to examples from the LIS literature. While EBLIP’s strongest proponents are found among health sciences librarians, efforts to incorporate evidence into practical decision-making may be found in other sectors in the library and information professions. It is also used as a rationale to encourage enlarging and improving the evidence base of library and information science as a discipline. EBLIP is an international movement of library and information professionals from a number of countries, especially the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, North America, and Australia. As a relatively new movement within the professions, EBP continues to evolve, with changing emphases depending on discipline, region, organization, and topic.
