Research, EBP & PI Defined
Put simply: Research generates new knowledge and confirms existing knowledge. Evidence-based practice (EBP) changes practice. Process improvement (PI) improves outcomes.
Evidence-Based Practice involves formulating a research question and reviewing the published literature to find the best available evidence-based practices to answer the research question.
Process Improvement is needed when evidence-based practices are already in place, but results or outcomes are not as expected, all the steps in the process are examined to find areas for improvement.
Research is needed if there is conflicting evidence, a lack of evidence, or outcomes need to be confirmed or validated within a particular context. The goal of research is to answer the research question and add to the body of scientific knowledge, on which others can learn and build.
Diagram of Clinical Inquiry
Diagram of Clinical Inquiry: Process Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, and Research © 2024 by Kimberly Sanchez is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 
Further Reading
Connor, B. T. (2014, June 11). Differentiating research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement. American Nurse. https://www.myamericannurse.com/differentiating-research-evidence-based-practice-and-quality-improvement/
Fowler S. B. (2021). Quality Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, and Research. Home healthcare now, 39(3), 178. https://doi-org.libproxy2.usc.edu/10.1097/NHH.0000000000000941
Ginex, Pamela K. (2017, August 29). The Difference Between Quality Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, and Research. ONS Voice. https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/oncology-research-quality-improvement-evidence-based-practice
Grys C. A. (2022). Evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and research: A visual model. Nursing, 52(11), 47–49. https://doi-org.libproxy2.usc.edu/10.1097/01.NURSE.0000889812.89287.45
Prentiss, A., & Butler, E. (2018). What’s in a Name: Performance Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, and Research? Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal, 1(1), 40–45. https://doi.org/10.55481/2578-3750.1019
Roe-Prior P. (2022). Questioning the Answers, Answering the Questions: Evidence-Based Practice, Quality Improvement, and Research. Journal for nurses in professional development, 38(2), 114–116. https://doi-org.libproxy2.usc.edu/10.1097/NND.0000000000000861