Using an Evidence-Based Research approach to place your results into context after the study is performed to ensure usefulness of the conclusion.

BACKGROUND There is considerable actual and potential waste in research. Using evidence-based research can ensure the value of a new study. The aim of this paper, the third in a series, is to describe an evidence-based research (EBR) approach to putting research results into context. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Evidence-Based Research is the use of prior research in a systematic and transparent way to inform a new study so that it is answering questions that matter in a valid, efficient and accessible manner. In this third and final paper of a series, we describe how to use the context of existing evidence to reach and present a trustworthy and useful conclusion when reporting results from a new clinical study. RESULTS We describe a method, the Evidence-Based Research approach, that by using a systematic and transparent consideration of earlier similar studies when interpreting and presenting results from a new original study will ensure usefulness of the conclusion. CONCLUSION Using an Evidence-Based Research approach will improve the usefulness of a clinical study by providing the context to draw more valid conclusions and explicit information about new research needs.