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Searching and Appraising Literature

When conducting a literature review, what are the steps you should you take to successfully search the evidence? Once you have generated your results, how do you properly appraise the evidence, grade them, and select the ones you want to use?

 

When conducting a literature review, the goal is to produce a set of results that match your search criteria. The results you get will vary dramatically depending on the search engine(s) you utilize and which key words you choose to enter. Selecting the right database(s) is one skill; selecting the best key words is another. In this Assignment, you will hone your skills in both of these important aspects of the search process.Searching and Appraising Literature

Keep in mind, the results of your search will vary in terms of quality, as well as appropriateness, and significance to your research goals. For this reason, searching is only the first step of the process. The second step is to appraise the results you identified, and based on your evaluations, select the literature that you will select.

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

• Dang, D., Dearholt, S. L., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines (4th ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International.
  • Chapter 5, “Searching for Evidence” (pp. 99–120)
  • Chapter 6, “Evidence Appraisal: Research” (pp. 129–162)
  • Chapter 7, “Evidence Appraisal: Nonresearch” (pp. 163–188)
  • Appendix D, “Hierarchy of Evidence Guide” (pp. 295–296)
  • Appendix E, “Research Evidence Appraisal Tool” (pp. 297–306)Download Appendix E, “Research Evidence Appraisal Tool” (pp. 297–306)
  • Appendix F, “Nonresearch Evidence Appraisal Tool” (pp. 307–314)Download Appendix F, “Nonresearch Evidence Appraisal Tool” (pp. 307–314)
  • Appendix G, “Individual Evidence Summary Tool” (pp. 315–316)Download Appendix G, “Individual Evidence Summary Tool” (pp. 315–316)
  • Appendix H, “Synthesis and Recommendations Tool” (pp. 319–323)Download Appendix H, “Synthesis and Recommendations Tool” (pp. 319–323)
    Note: Be prepared to complete and submit Appendices E, F, and G for Assignment 1 and Appendix H for Assignment 2 this week.
• Cancelliere, C., Cassidy, J. D., Ammendolia, C., & Côté, P. (2011). Figure 1. Flow diagram of literature search. In Are workplace health promotion programs effective at improving presenteeism in workers? A systematic review and best evidence synthesis of the literatureLinks to an external site.. BMC Public Health, 11, Article 395. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-395
  Note: This resource is seminal to the field.
  Also Note: Review this example of the workflow process when conducting a literature search. You can use it as a model to guide your future literature searches.
• Walden University Library. (n.d.). Ask a librarianLinks to an external site.. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/ask
  Note: Use this website to find answers to common questions or to contact a librarian directly.
• Walden University Library. (n.d.). Subject research: NursingLinks to an external site.. Searching and Appraising Literature https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/subject/nursing
  Note: This database is a good starting point for nursing-related searches.
• Walden University Quick Answers. (n.d.). How do I verify that my article is peer reviewed?Links to an external site. [Multimedia]. https://academicanswers.waldenu.edu/faq/72613
• Examples of Synthesis Resources

Note: The resources below are good examples of the synthesis of literature. Review each resource as a model to emulate when you synthesize literature.

• Armstrong, M., Walters, K., Davies, N., Nimmons, D., Pigott, J., Read, J., & Schrag, A. (2024). Intervention components in the self-management of Parkinson’s: A mixed-methods synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidenceLinks to an external site.. BMC Health Services Research, 24, Article 92. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10436-4Links to an external site.
• Boogaard, H., Atkinson, R. W., Brook, J. R., Chang, H. H., Hoek, G., Hoffmann, B., Sagiv, S. K., Samoli, E., Smargiassi, A., Szpiro, A. A., Vienneau, D., Weuve, J., Lurmann, F. W., & Forastiere, F. (2023). Evidence synthesis of observational studies in environmental health: Lessons learned from a systematic review on traffic-related air pollutionLinks to an external site.. Environmental Health Perspectives, 131(11), Article 115002. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11532
• Gearon, E., O’Connor, D., Wallis, J., Han, J. X., Shepperd, S., Makela, P., Disher, G., & Buchbinder, R. (2021). Factors influencing the implementation of early discharge hospital at home and admission avoidance hospital at home: A qualitative evidence synthesisLinks to an external site.. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021(3), Article CD014765. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD014765
• Martins-Filho, P. R., Tanajura, D. M., & Vecina-Neto, G. (2023). Multi-country monkeypox outbreak: A quantitative evidence synthesis on clinical characteristics, potential transmission routes, and risk factorsLinks to an external site.. European Journal of Internal Medicine, 107, 102–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2022.09.013
• Sebastião, B. F., Hortelão, R. M., Granadas, S. S., Faria, J. M., Pinto, J. R., & Henriques, H. R. (2023). Air quality self-management in asthmatic patients with COPD: An integrative review for developing nursing interventions to prevent exacerbationsLinks to an external site.. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 11(1), 46–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2023.12.003

• https://academicanswers.waldenu.edu/faq/72613

Examples of Synthesis Resources

To prepare: Searching and Appraising Literature

• Review the Learning Resources for this week which focus on how to successfully search and appraise search results.
• Review the course textbook Appendices E, F, and G, located in the Learning Resources for this week, which you will be required to complete and submit as part of this Assignment.
• Select one organizational type and one gap in practice or practice change on which to focus for this Assignment.
  Note: You may select a new organizational type and gap in practice or practice change or, if you choose, you may reuse one on which you focused for a previous Assignment, Discussion, or Blog in this course.
• https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2023.12.003
• Required Media
• OASIS. (n.d.). Analyze and evaluate research articlesLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University. https://academics.waldenu.edu/library/analyze-evaluate-research-articles
• OASIS. (n.d.). Break a topic into keywordsLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University. https://academics.waldenu.edu/library/topic-into-keywords
• OASIS. (n.d.). Evaluate resourcesLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University. https://academics.waldenu.edu/library/evaluate-resources
• OASIS. Grading evidenceLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University. https://rise.articulate.com/share/–e-gVRMA_y8V2KffxxJAQNb_lswZ2zX
• OASIS. (n.d.). Locate, cite, and reference journal articlesLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University. https://academics.waldenu.edu/library/locate-cite-reference-articles
• OASIS. (n.d.). Paraphrase and summarize informationLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University. https://academics.waldenu.edu/writing/paraphrase-summarize
• OASIS. (n.d.). SummaryLinks to an external site. [Multimedia]. Walden University. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/evidence/summary
• OASIS. (n.d.). SynthesisLinks to an external site. [Multimedia]. Walden University. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/evidence/synthesis
• Optional Resources
• Cochrane Library. (n.d.). Cochrane database of systematic reviewsLinks to an external site.. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/about-cdsr
  Note: The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews is the leading database for systematic reviews in healthcare. The reviews are good examples of synthesis, which are graded “Level 1” according to the Johns Hopkins level of evidence.
• Johns Hopkins Nursing. (n.d.). Creating an EBP culture from ground zeroLinks to an external site. [Webinar]. https://www.ijhn-education.org/node/20178#group-tabs-node-course-default1
  Note: This is a free webinar explaining evidence-based practice at the organizational level.
• Johns Hopkins Nursing. (n.d.). Mastering Appendix ELinks to an external site. | Research appraisal tool [Webinar]. https://www.ijhn-education.org/node/20003
  Note: This is a free webinar explaining how to use Appendix E.
• Walden University Library. (n.d.). Evaluating resources: Primary & secondary sourcesLinks to an external site.. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/sources
  Also Note: These may or may not be the same organizational type and gap in practice or practice change as those you will focus on for your Practicum and DNP Project.

• Consider all of the factors you should take into account when searching the evidence, then, using the Walden Library databases, conduct a search related to the organizational type and gap in practice or practice change you selected.
• Consider all of the factors you should take into account when apprising evidence, then, using the course text Appendices E, F, and G, appraise the results of your search.
• Based on your appraisals, identify the three recent (within the last five years), peer-reviewed articles that you think are most relevant to your research goals.

  Note: For this Assignment, you must complete Appendix G based on having completed either Appendix E or F for each of the three articles you selected, as appropriate. You will submit a total of four documents (three completed Appendices along with your 2–3-page paper).

Be sure to review the grading rubric for this Assignment so you fully understand what is expected of you. To access the rubric, scroll down to the bottom of the Assignment page.

The Assignment: (3 pages)

Write a paper in which you do the following:

• Describe the organizational type and gap in practice or practice change you selected and explain the goals of the search you conducted.,
• Describe your process of searching the evidence., Be specific and provide examples. Include the following:,
  • Which database(s) did you select?, Why did you choose them?,
  • Which key words did you select?, Why did you choose them?,
• Describe your process of appraising the evidence you identified. Be specific and provide examples. Include the following:,
  • How many articles did you find?,
  • Based on what criteria did you decide on the three recent (within the last five years) peer-reviewed articles that you selected?
• Include copies of your completed Appendix G, along with the Appendices E and/or F that you completed as appropriate for each of the articles you selected.
  • Note: For this Assignment, you must complete Appendix G based on having completed either Appendix E or F for each of the three articles you selected, as appropriate. You will submit a total of four documents (three completed Appendices along with your 3-page paper). Searching and Appraising Literature

Note: Use this week’s Learning Resources to support your Assignment. Use proper APA format and style for all references and citations. The College of Nursing requires that all papers include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. Use the College of Nursing Writing TemplateLinks to an external site. for your Assignment submission.

By Day 4 of Week 5

Submit your Assignment.

submission information

Before submitting your final assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the Turnitin Drafts from the Start Here area.