Writing A Book Series on Evidence-based Research With an Equity Lens
Faculty Department
Graduate Nursing
Presentation Type
Powerpoint
Location
Larini Room
Start Date
25-2-2026 10:45 AM
End Date
25-2-2026 11:00 AM
Description (Abstract)
The purpose is to present a new evidence-based research textbook series written at three learner levels (undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral) that emphasizes ethics, equity1, 2 and more. Two of three books (undergraduate and graduate level) are complete3, 4. The third book for doctoral students is underway. Each textbook emphasizes how readers can develop an equity lens to avoid giving evidence-biased advice and to uphold equity. Book One, the Beginner’s Guide, focuses on the evidence-based research process and skills to ensure equity and avoid bias. Book Two, Advancing Evidence-based Research Proficiency the Peak Practice Way, helps readers develop critical appraisal skills and an equity lens. Whereas Book One emphasizes Social Determinants of Health, Book Two highlights five key external societal forces5 and two specific critical appraisal tools to evaluate equity. Readers learn about the PROGRESS tool with eight factors,3 and the GRADE tool.6 These two tools help evidence-based researchers determine if evidence is missing from the evidence set or if evidence is lacking with regard to socially stratifying factors.
The content of Book Two is a courageous departure from standard ideas found in current evidence-based practice textbooks. Current books encourage a positivist approach to evidence (evaluate the evidence that is found, do not consider evidence that might not yet exist). This book series instructs readers to consider evidence that might be missing from the literature. Book two includes content about truth, ethics, research misconduct, and three types of Groupthink, as defined by the late Irving Janis, vs true consensus formation, based on Jesuit community decision-making practices.
The book series provides a variety of digital Peak practice exercises, based on the late Anders Ericsson’s research about how to develop expertise, so that readers can evolve from novice to expert.7 Book Two provides an instructor’s manual with additional instructor-led exercises including several that use AI pedagogy.
References
1. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021). The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. Washington DC: National Academies Press. https://doi.org10.17226/25982
2. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. (2024). Ending Unequal Treatment: Strategies to Achieve Equitable Health Care and Optimal Health for All. Washington DC: The National Academies Press. https:do1.org/10.17226/27820.
3. Hanna, D. R. (2024). Learning Evidence-based Research Skills the Peak Practice Way: A Beginner’s Guide[Book 1 of 3]
4. Hanna, D. R. (2026). Advancing Evidence-based Research Proficiency the Peak Practice Way. Cognella Academic Publishing, San Diego. [Book 2 of 3]
5. O’Neill, J., Tabish, H., Welch, V., Petticrew, M., Pottie, K., Clarke, M., Evans, T., Pardo, J. P., Waters, E., White, H., Tugwell, P. (2014). Applying an equity lens to interventions: using PROGRESS ensures consideration of socially stratifying factors to illuminate inequities in health. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 67: 56-64. [seminal work]
6. Akl, E. A., Welch, V., Pottie, K., Eslava-Schmalbach, J., Darzi, A., Sola, I., et al. (2017). GRADE equity guidelines 2: considering health equity in GRADE guideline development: equity extension of the guideline development checklist. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 90: 68-75. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinepi.2017.01.017 [seminal work]
7. Ericsson, A. and Pool, R. (2016). PEAK: Secrets from the New Sciences of Expertise. Mariner Books, New York. [seminal work]
Keywords
Equity lens; Evidence-based research; Peak practice exercises; Research Proficiency; Textbook Series
Related Pillar(s)
Community, Service, Spirituality, Study
Writing A Book Series on Evidence-based Research With an Equity Lens
Larini Room
The purpose is to present a new evidence-based research textbook series written at three learner levels (undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral) that emphasizes ethics, equity1, 2 and more. Two of three books (undergraduate and graduate level) are complete3, 4. The third book for doctoral students is underway. Each textbook emphasizes how readers can develop an equity lens to avoid giving evidence-biased advice and to uphold equity. Book One, the Beginner’s Guide, focuses on the evidence-based research process and skills to ensure equity and avoid bias. Book Two, Advancing Evidence-based Research Proficiency the Peak Practice Way, helps readers develop critical appraisal skills and an equity lens. Whereas Book One emphasizes Social Determinants of Health, Book Two highlights five key external societal forces5 and two specific critical appraisal tools to evaluate equity. Readers learn about the PROGRESS tool with eight factors,3 and the GRADE tool.6 These two tools help evidence-based researchers determine if evidence is missing from the evidence set or if evidence is lacking with regard to socially stratifying factors.
The content of Book Two is a courageous departure from standard ideas found in current evidence-based practice textbooks. Current books encourage a positivist approach to evidence (evaluate the evidence that is found, do not consider evidence that might not yet exist). This book series instructs readers to consider evidence that might be missing from the literature. Book two includes content about truth, ethics, research misconduct, and three types of Groupthink, as defined by the late Irving Janis, vs true consensus formation, based on Jesuit community decision-making practices.
The book series provides a variety of digital Peak practice exercises, based on the late Anders Ericsson’s research about how to develop expertise, so that readers can evolve from novice to expert.7 Book Two provides an instructor’s manual with additional instructor-led exercises including several that use AI pedagogy.
References
1. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021). The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. Washington DC: National Academies Press. https://doi.org10.17226/25982
2. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. (2024). Ending Unequal Treatment: Strategies to Achieve Equitable Health Care and Optimal Health for All. Washington DC: The National Academies Press. https:do1.org/10.17226/27820.
3. Hanna, D. R. (2024). Learning Evidence-based Research Skills the Peak Practice Way: A Beginner’s Guide[Book 1 of 3]
4. Hanna, D. R. (2026). Advancing Evidence-based Research Proficiency the Peak Practice Way. Cognella Academic Publishing, San Diego. [Book 2 of 3]
5. O’Neill, J., Tabish, H., Welch, V., Petticrew, M., Pottie, K., Clarke, M., Evans, T., Pardo, J. P., Waters, E., White, H., Tugwell, P. (2014). Applying an equity lens to interventions: using PROGRESS ensures consideration of socially stratifying factors to illuminate inequities in health. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 67: 56-64. [seminal work]
6. Akl, E. A., Welch, V., Pottie, K., Eslava-Schmalbach, J., Darzi, A., Sola, I., et al. (2017). GRADE equity guidelines 2: considering health equity in GRADE guideline development: equity extension of the guideline development checklist. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 90: 68-75. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinepi.2017.01.017 [seminal work]
7. Ericsson, A. and Pool, R. (2016). PEAK: Secrets from the New Sciences of Expertise. Mariner Books, New York. [seminal work]
Short Biography
Dr. Debra R. Hanna, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, is a Professor of Nursing at Molloy University in Rockville Centre, NY. Dr. Hanna frequently supervises Clinical Nurse Specialist students’ evidence-based research projects. To meet different learning needs of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral nursing students, Dr. Hanna is writing a three textbook series about evidence-based research that emphasizes equity. Dr. Hanna’s books challenge long-standing evidence-based research dogmas to guide readers to develop an equity lens The first and second books are complete. The third book, for doctoral students, is underway.