Evidence-based education: adapting concepts from medicine to education
Main Article Content
Abstract
INTRODUCTION. Throughout history, teaching has transitioned from being perceived as an art to being regarded as a practice predominantly rooted in tradition rather than on scientific research. This article seeks to contribute to the dissemination of concepts that are well-established in the field of medicine (Evidence-Based Medicine, EBM) within the context of education
(Evidence-Based Education, EBE). To accomplish this, we analyze the relationships and distinctions between EBM and EBE, outline the process of implementing EBE while adhering to the framework established by EBM, and extrapolate the strengths and limitations associated with applying EBM principles to EBE. METHOD. Traditional theoretical review. RESULTS. The necessity for EBE is similarly grounded in the importance of making decisions based on robust scientific knowledge, combined with educational experience and the values, opinions, and preferences of stakeholders. This approach aims to facilitate informed and effective decision-making that enhances teaching and learning processes. To implement EBE we propose a straightforward four-step model: formulate an educational question or information need in a structured manner; search for and evaluate relevant scientific evidence; synthesize scientific findings with prior educational experience; and finally, consider student needs when making decisions. DISCUSSION. EBE offers numerous benefits, including improved scientific understanding, enhanced practical reflection, and optimized resource utilization. However, it also faces certain limitations, such as significant challenges related to resistance to change, time constraints, and access to specialized literature. Therefore, it is crucial to implement specific measures aimed at transforming the educational landscape into one that is firmly based on scientific evidence. This transformation should follow the successful trajectory established by EBM while addressing existing barriers to achieve more effective and evidence-informed teaching practices.
Downloads
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
References
Brady, A. M. (2020). From the reflective to the post-personal teacher. Teoría de la Educación. Revista Interuniversitaria, 32(1), 55-71. http://dx.doi.org/10.14201/teri.21438
Campillo, M., Pompa, M., Hernández, F.B., y Sánchez, M. (2019). Una experiencia de formación: la Educación basada en evidencias. Revista Digital Universitaria, 20(6), http://doi.org/10.22201/codeic.16076079e.2019.v20n6.a6
Crawford, R., y Tan, H. (2019). Responding to evidence-based practice: An examination of mixed methods research in teacher education. The Australian Educational Researcher, 46(5), 775–797. https:// doi.org/10.1007/s13384-019-00310-w
Emwodew, D., Melese, T., Takele, A., Mesfin, N. y Tariku, B. (2021). Knowledge and Attitude Toward Evidence-Based Medicine and Associated Factors Among Medical Interns in Amhara Regional State Teaching Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia: Cross-sectional Study. JMIR Med Educm 7(2): e28739. http://doi.org/10.2196/28739
Fernández, M., y Postigo, A.Y. (2023). Educación basada en la evidencia. Peligros científicos y ventajas políticas. Revista de Educación, 400, 43-68. https://doi.org/10.4438/1988-592XRE-2023-400-570
Garman-McClaine, B. (2024). A comparison of general and special education teachers’ attitudes toward evidence-based practices for students with autism spectrum disorder. Psychology in the Schools. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.23195
Guyatt, G. (Ed.). (2008). Users’ Guides to the Medical Literature: A Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Practice. The McGraw-Hill Companies.
Hammond, Z. (2015). Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students. Corwin.
Hargreaves, D.H. (1996). Teaching as a research-based profession: possibilities and prospects (Annual Lecture). Teacher Training Agency.
Haynes, R.B., Sánchez, G., Jadad, R.A., Browman, P. G., Gómez, A. (2000). Herramientas para la práctica de la medicina basada en la evidencia (I). Actualización en recursos de información basados en la evidencia para la práctica clínica. Medicina Clínica, 115(7), 258-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-7753(00)71527-2
Hederich, C., Martínez, J. y Rincón, L. (2014). Hacia una educación basada en la evidencia. Revista Colombiana de Educación, 1(66), 19–54. https://doi.org/10.17227/1203916.rce6619
Jeong, D., Park, C., Sugimoto, K., Jeon, M., Kim, D., y Eun, I. (2024). Effectiveness of an Evidence-Based Practice Education Program for Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(637). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050637
Kaestle, C. (1993). The awful reputation of education research. Educational Researcher, 22(1), 23-31.
Lustosa de Oliveira, M., Marín, D., Vidal, M.I., y Gabarda, V. (2014). Mapping research on evidence- based practice in education: a mixed analysis. RED. Revista de Educación a Distancia. 24(77), 1-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.6018/red.576211
McKnight, L., y Morgan, A. (2023). “Good” choices vs “what really works”: a comparison of evidence‑based practice in medicine and education. The Australian Educational Researcher, 50, 643-659. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-022-00509-4
Muñoz-Repiso, M. (2004). ¿Sirve para algo la investigación educativa? Organización y Gestión Educativa, 54, 23-27.
Murillo, F.J. (2011). Hacer de la Educación un ámbito basado en evidencias científicas. REICE. Revista Iberoamericana sobre Calidad, Eficacia y Cambio en Educación, 9(3), 1-11.
Nakamura, P., Molotsky, A., Castro, R., Ranjit, V., Haddad, Y., y De Hoop, T. (2023). Language of instruction in schools in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Campbell Sistematic Reviews, 19:e1351. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.135
Navarro-Mateu, F., Giribet, C., y Aguinaga, E. (1999). Psiquiatría basada en la evidencia: ventajas y limitaciones. Psiquiatría Biológica, 6(2), 77-85.
Ogden, T. (2023). Research Literacy in Education and the Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices in Schools. Professions & Professionalism, 13(2), e5204. https://doi.org/10.7577/pp.5204
Sánchez-Martín, M. (2022). La educación basada en la evidencia: las Revisiones Sistemáticas en Educación. Aula Magna 2.0. [Blog]. https://doi.org/10.25115/ecp.v15i30.7860
Sánchez-Martín, M., Pedreño Plana, M., Ponce Gea, A. I., y Navarro-Mateu, F. (2023). Y, al principio, fue la pregunta de investigación … Los formatos PICO, PECO, SPIDER y FINER [And, at first, it was the research question… The PICO, PECO, SPIDER and FINER formats]. Espiral. Cuadernos del Profesorado, 16(32), 126-136. https://doi.org/10.25115/ecp.v16i32.9102
Sánchez-Martín, M., Pedreño Plana, M., Ponce Gea, A. I., y Navarro-Mateu, F. (2023). Existen muchas listas en investigación, pero… no todas sirven para lo mismo. Espiral. Cuadernos del Profesorado, 16(33), 81-91. https://doi.org/10.25115/ecp.v16i33.9334
Sánchez-Martín, M., Ponce Gea, A. I., Rubio Aparicio, M., Navarro-Mateu, F., y Olmedo Moreno, E. M. (2023). Una aproximación práctica a los diseños de investigación cuantitativa [A practical approach to quantitative research designs]. Espiral. Cuadernos del Profesorado, 17(35). https://doi.org/10.25115/ecp.v17i35.9725
Sánchez-Meca, J. (2022). Revisiones sistemáticas y meta-análisis en Educación: un tutorial. Rii-TE Revista interuniversitaria de investigación en Tecnología Educativa, 13, 5-40. https://doi.org/10.6018/riite.545451
Sánchez-Meca, J., Boruch, R. F., Petrosino, A., y Rosa, A. I. (2002). La Colaboración CAMPBELL y la Práctica Basada en la Evidencia. Papeles del Psicólogo, 83, 44-48.
US Department of Education (2002). Strategic Plan for 2002-2007. http://www.ed.gov/about/reports/strat/plan2002-07/plan.pdf
Vaillant, D.E. (2008). La identidad docente. Importancia del profesorado. Revista investigaciones en educación, 8(1), 13-31. http://revistas.ufro.cl/ojs/index.php/educacion/article/view/942