Finding and evaluating sources of evidence: nicotine replacement therapy as a case study

Although in many decision‐making contexts it may be a problem actually to find any evidence there are already a number of topics where the challenge is presented by the bewildering array of sources and formats in which published findings are made available. By focusing on just one of these areas, nicotine replacement therapy, and by exploring characteristics such as usability and authoritativeness with a group of health professionals, the author attempts to highlight some important issues in both finding and evaluating the evidence. The results of this opportunistic preliminary investigation are presented together with some suggestions for further research and implications for health information professionals in their quest for evidence.