This article, the first in a series of six articles, introduces the concept of evidence-based medicine and describes the first two steps of practicing it: formulating an answerable clinical question and searching the available evidence. The types of clinical questions practitioners can ask are examined and a hierarchy of how to search for the best and most authoritative evidence is provided. The skills learned from creating an answerable question and searching the evidence, as outlined in this article, provide a solid basis for life-long learning and improved patient care.