Searching for evidence in augmentative and alternative communication: Navigating a scattered literature

Abstract

With increasing emphasis on evidence-based practice (EBP) as the preferred approach to practice in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), knowledge of and skills in the EBP process have become critical to practitioners. The efficient searching of best and current research evidence to aid with clinical or educational practice is one of the core skills in the EBP process. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, evidence pertaining to AAC is scattered across numerous sources in a variety of larger fields. In this article, we aim to (a) establish assumptions and underpinnings for the search of research evidence in support of EBP in AAC, (b) identify informational databases, (c) review search terminology, (d) suggest practical strategies for successful searches in support of EBP, and (e) exemplify these strategies with several search illustrations.