Effect size in psychiatric evidence-based practice care

Developing evidence-based practice skills requires a familiarity with the language and terminology of clinical research. Few articles discuss concepts, such as effect size, that must be understood to determine if the findings of studies are clinically meaningful. Clinically meaningful results of studies are determined by the effect size of an intervention. The effect size of an intervention, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be calculated from the findings of different studies using different designs and populations. However, the determination and use of an effect size is important to clinicians using research findings to guide practice.