N371 – Research & Evidence Based Nursing Practice

Criteria for Evidence Review Paper: Required Elements of the Paper

I. Title page:

In header Page number and running head

Title, author’s name, and university affiliation

II. Abstract:

The abstract is a single paragraph in block format (without paragraph indentation) and should be between 150 and 250 words. Succinctly describe your entire paper; you will need to determine which elements are the most important. Structure the abstract in the same order as your paper. Be sure to understand the difference between the abstract (a summary of the paper) and the introduction (an introduction to the paper).

III. Introduction:** (Limit section to no more than 1/2 page)

** This is not a level heading in APA

· Describe the clinical issue, purpose and rationale of the paper.

· Acquaint the reader with the background and significance of the clinical issue. The introduction should start out broad to establish the framework for understanding the evidence review then narrowing to the specifics and actual innovative clinical decision based on evidence (the recommendation/conclusion from your evidence).

· Discuss what this paper is going to be about and what can the reader expect to learn about in this paper.

· The introduction should grab the reader’s attention.

IV. Body of the paper:

Clinical Issue: (Limit section to no more than 1-2 pages )

· Identify the clinical issue/problem

· Presents a compelling overview of the relevance of the healthcare issue; the PICOT question; the significance of the issue e.g. why is this question important to you? Or why did you decided to use this question?

· Discuss why the clinical issue is significant to nursing, patient outcomes, and quality healthcare. (Items to consider: is there a safety or risk concern; are there unsatisfactory patient outcomes; are there wide variations in practice; are there financial concerns; is the clinical concern a time waster; is a quality of care concern?).

· Put the PICOT question in the form of a sentence using the PICOT template.

· Transition to next section.

Sources and Search Process: (Limit section to no more than 1 page )

** Screen shots of searches can be used and placed in appendices to enhance the written description of the searches completed. Print Screens can capture keyword combination and outcomes of searches.

· Identify sources of evidence used. Discuss the reason for choosing them.

· Describe the search strategies used to uncover the evidence: keywords, combinations, and limits (inclusion/exclusion criteria) used for each search and outcomes of each search.

· Include number of articles produced from the search and number of articles used to answer your PICOT question.

· Transition to next section.

Appraisal of the Evidence: (Limit section to no more than 5 pages )

This section is not about discussing each study individually. Tables to enhance the written work can be used and placed in appendices.

It is to:

· Evaluate the foundation of research and internal evidence influencing the clinical issue. Discuss the overall strength of the evidence in terms of level of evidence, the validity of the evidence and the confidence to act on the evidence.

· Statement of the research problem(s) or purpose, research question(s) or hypotheses, study variable, study goals, objectives or aims. Where they related to the problem?

· Literature reviews – did they provide a rationale and direction for the studies?

· Statement of the theoretical framework if present.

· Statement of the research design(s). Were they appropriate to the study? Why or why not? Level of evidence?

· Description of the sample(s), populations and setting

· Brief description of the measurement methods used in each study

· Brief description of procedure(s) (data collection and analysis)

· Interpretation of findings: Statement of the study findings, strengths and limitations – collectively

· Statement of the significance of the findings for nursing – collectively

· Relevant ideas for future research or implementing findings in practice discussed

Summary of Practice Change: (Limit section to no more than 1 page )

· What practice change is warranted? E.g. what does the evidence tell you to do? Findings that flow from the evidence not a restatement of the findings of the studies.

· This section reflects why this is clinical issue needs to be investigated; discusses the overall strength of the evidence in terms of level of evidence, and quality indicator or national patient safety goals and your next steps.

Conclusion: ( No more than 1/2 page )

The conclusion emphasizes important points, and demonstrates the possibilities for future exploration of the clinical issue and practice change. Although the conclusion should include a restatement of your clinical issue, it should not simply restate the points you made in your paper; the conclusion should enhance to the reader’s understanding the impact of this clinical issue, on nursing, patient outcome(s) and quality healthcare.

Reference List: In proper APA 7th Edition Format.

APA Formatting: Use level headings to separate the sections of the paper. Proper use of in-text citations, and writing style. DO NOT use I, me or my to describe yourself on the paper. It should be written in the third person.

Appendices: Use of Appendices to enhance the written work. Screen shots of searches and/or tables in the critical appraisal section can be used.

Page Limit: Not to exceed 10 pages; this 10 page limit does not include the title page, appendices and the reference page(s).

Font and Margins: Calibri (preferred) or Times New Roman, 12 point font with 1 inch margins

NUR 371 Research & Evidence Based Nursing Practice Page 3

NUR 371: Rubric for Evidence Review Paper

Total Possible Score 40 points