The Literature Review and Searching for Evidence
Locate the literature review section. Summarize using your own words from one of the study/literature findings. Be sure to identify which study you are summarizing.
Discuss how the author’s review of literature (studies) supported the research purpose/problem. Share something that was interesting to you as you read through the literature review section.
Describe one strategy that you learned that would help you create a strong literature review/search for evidence. Share your thoughts on the importance of a thorough review of the literature.
Sample Answer
The Literature Review and Searching for Evidence
Boyle & Thompson (2020) investigated how Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRNs) keep up with current methods of continuing competence, the factors that enable and derail the process, and the value that practitioners attach to the certification. In the paper’s literature review, the authors included an article by Whitehead et al. (2019). The authors reviewed the relationship between specialty nursing certification with outcomes for patients, nurses, and organizations. They found that certification enhanced all three outcome categories, with agreement rates of 98.45% for patient outcomes, 97.93% for nurses’ outcomes, and 97.13% for organization outcomes (Doyle & Thompson, 2020, p. 231)
Doyle and Thompson’s literature review supported their research since they collected existing data that offered a pre-existing perspective of the issue they were addressing. Hence, they could analyze how their specific findings compared to previous data, allowing them to create informed opinions on the agreement or disparity between the two. I also noted, with interest, that most of the studies were recent, with most being from the last five years. The recency in the literature review demonstrates the currency of the problem and the good practice of using up-to-date information in establishing a research basis.
Doyle and Thompson addressed each research component independently in the literature review. The sections were per the items in their objectives, which allowed them to investigate each thoroughly in the review and data collection. I find the practice useful since it will enable one to remain objective in the literature review. Hence, the approach provides ensures that a researcher finds information that is relevant to the study. The comprehensive literature review provides a solid practical basis for the new research initiative.
References
- Boyle, D. K., & Thompson, S. A. (2020). CMSRNs’ Continuing Competence Methods and Perceived Value of Certification: A Descriptive Study. Med-Surg Nursing, 29(4), 229-238.
- Whitehead, L., Ghosh, M., Walker, D. K., Boxsome, D., Vafeas, C., & Wilkinson, A. (2019). The relationship between specialty nurse certification and patient, nurse and organizational outcomes: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 93, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.02.001
