Finding Literature

FINDING AND APPRAISING THE LITERATURE

Course: NSG 3301Credit: Dr. E Delavan

LITERATURE REVIEW

Definition: A key step in the research process, a literature review represents a systematic summary and critical evaluation of scholarly literature on a particular topic, providing a comprehensive overview that highlights existing research and gaps in the current knowledge base.

Importance:

  • Holistic Representation: It encapsulates both positive and negative findings in relation to the topic under investigation, ensuring a balanced view of the research landscape.

  • Resource Inclusion: A literature review must include adequate resources, ensuring that all relevant studies, theories, and frameworks are considered to offer depth to the review.

ROLE OF LITERATURE REVIEW

Critical for:

  • Quality Research Development: Essential in shaping robust research that contributes valuable insights to the field.

  • Theory Building: Helps in establishing new theories or refining existing ones based on the findings from reviewed literature.

  • Education and Practice: Informs educational methodologies and best practices in the field, facilitating the integration of research into practical applications.

Article Section: In academic publications, the literature review is often an abbreviated version of the complete review, summarizing key findings and relevant studies for the readership.

Research Design Dependency: The depth and focus of the literature review may vary significantly based on whether the research is quantitative or qualitative in nature, adapting its structure and components accordingly.

PURPOSE OF A LITERATURE REVIEW

Overall Purpose: To systematically identify known versus unknown aspects about a research topic, thereby clarifying the current state of knowledge.

Key Functions:

  • Identify Gaps: Recognizes specific gaps in knowledge and unanswered questions that need to be addressed through future research.

  • Conceptual Frameworks: Aids in discovering relevant conceptual or theoretical frameworks that inform and guide the research process.

  • Research Questions: Facilitates the generation and refinement of research questions and hypotheses based on identified gaps and necessary inquiries.

  • Methods Design: Narrows down the design and methodologies needed for data collection and sampling, ensuring a structured approach.

  • Replication Studies: Assesses the need for replication studies to validate past findings, enhancing the reliability of the research.

LITERATURE REVIEW RELATIONSHIP TO RESEARCH PROCESS

Components Include:

  • Theoretical Framework: Lays the foundation for the study's rationale and hypotheses.

  • Recommendations: Guides future research directions based on findings.

  • Problem/Need/Significance: Identifies the relevance and significance of the research problem.

  • Implications: Discusses the potential impacts of findings on practice and theory.

  • Review of Literature: A critical synthesis of existing literature that informs the research process.

  • Question/Hypothesis: The central inquiries guiding the research.

  • Findings: Summarizes the results of the research.

  • Design/Methodology: Outlines the methodological approach taken in the study.

LITERATURE REVIEW: QUANTITATIVE

Purpose: Conducted prior to the study to lay the groundwork for hypothesis formulation and testing.

Includes:

  • Conceptual/Theoretical Framework Development: Establishes the theoretical underpinnings for the study.

  • Refinement of Problem Statement and Hypothesis: Sharpens the focus of the research inquiry.

  • Methodology Best Practices: Identifies best practices for data collection and analysis.

  • Analysis of Outcomes: Evaluates potential implications of findings.

Significance: Enhances understanding of findings and their applicability in practical settings, laying a foundation for informed decision-making.

CONCEPTUAL OR THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Definition: A conceptual or theoretical framework is a structured way to map out concepts or variables that guide the formulation of research questions and hypotheses.

Function: Supports the rationale for the selected model or framework in the study, providing a lens through which the research findings can be interpreted.

LITERATURE REVIEW USAGE IN QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Assists in interpreting results following the completion of testing, providing critical context to the findings, supporting recommendations made, and highlighting areas that necessitate further study.

LITERATURE REVIEW: QUALITATIVE

Varies significantly depending on the research design utilized.

Types Include:

  • Phenomenological: Focuses on the subjective lived experiences of individuals, typically reviewed post-study to inform deeper understanding.

  • Grounded Theory: Aims to develop theories that are grounded in data collected through systematic processes, with review being an ongoing comparative analysis.

  • Ethnographic: Involves the researcher's immersion into a community to derive an in-depth understanding, aiding in the development of conceptual frameworks.

  • Historical: Utilizes various sources to investigate and understand past events, contributing to a broader understanding of the topic.

TYPES OF RESEARCH

  • Data-based: Includes empirical studies published in academic journals that rely on data collection techniques to derive conclusions.

  • Conceptual: Encompasses theoretical reports or reviews that deduce from existing literature rather than empirical studies.

  • Systematic Reviews: Employ rigorous methods to synthesize primary studies, meticulously identifying gaps in knowledge and summarizing findings.

TYPES OF RESOURCES

  • Primary Sources: Original documents or studies authored by researchers detailing their findings and methodologies.

  • Secondary Sources: Analyses that provide interpretations or descriptions based on the review of primary sources, adding context and commentary.

INFORMATION RESOURCE HIERARCHY

Levels Include:

  • Systems: Decision-support systems that synthesize data to aid in decision-making.

  • Summaries: Clinical guidelines, textbooks, and other resources that consolidate information for practical use.

  • Syntheses: Systematic reviews serve as comprehensive summaries of literature.

  • Studies: Refers to original research articles presenting new data and findings.

REVIEW PROCESS

  1. Determine Topic: Generate specific keywords using the PICOT format (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Time).

  2. Choose Databases: Select appropriate databases for literature search, such as CINAHL, Medline, and Cochrane Library.

  3. Conduct Search: Utilize the evidence hierarchy and consult librarians for effective search strategies.

  4. Refine Results: Identify and filter relevant abstracts for consideration.

  5. Select Sources: Thoroughly review and retain relevant articles that meet research criteria.

  6. Critically Read: Employ appraisal strategies to assess strength, limitations, and relevance of findings.

  7. Present Findings: Evaluate strengths and weaknesses across reviewed articles to construct an informed conclusion.

DECISION PATHWAY

Utilize a PICOT-driven question formulation process to select appropriate evidence sources. Employ feedback loops to appraise findings effectively and consult with professionals for further insights and guidance.

SUMMARY

Make use of a summary to review key points and engage in critical thinking questions at the end of each chapter, reinforcing concepts. For questions or concerns, reach out via email!