Imprint 2023 November/December | Page 43

Exploring the Evidence : Essential Steps for Conducting a Literature Review By Aimee Miller and Sunny G . Hallowell

When I was a senior nursing student in a second-degree program , one of the most important things I learned in my academic journey was how to conduct a thorough and well-researched literature review . Although it may not seem relevant to what you , as a student , are learning in nursing theory courses or the skills you develop through clinical experiences and simulation , it is a crucial skill necessary for students to master and to cultivate evidence-based practice ( EBP ). A literature review is a comprehensive synthesis of the existing literature on a specific research topic . By reviewing the existing literature , we can identify gaps in current knowledge and find areas in need of further investigation . Literature reviews are a critical element of research and , in many ways , serve as the foundation for a study ’ s theoretical framework , research questions , and methodology ( Pautasso , 2013 ).

COVID-19 highlighted how fundamental it was for nursing students to understand how to search , synthesize , and interpret the current state of evidence and evaluate the quality and validity of research findings to provide the best clinical care possible . Literature reviews help us do this by providing a foundation for our own research , informing our clinical practice , and guiding our decision-making . To ensure EBP , we need to be a critical appraiser of the research .
Conducting a literature review may seem overwhelming . However , a systematic approach and the right resources make it possible to produce a well-structured and informative review , and I draw from my own personal experiences as an undergraduate research assistant , graduate research assistant , and post-graduate research analyst , to share a few essential steps for conducting a literature review .
Step 1 : Define the Research Question or Topic The first step , and probably the most important , is to clearly define the research question or topic . This will help you to narrow down the focus of the review and identify the most relevant literature . It is important to be specific and clear in defining the research question , as this will help guide the entire search process .
What is the structure of the research question or topic ? In EBP and clinical research , PICO ( Population / Problem / Patient , Intervention or Exposure , Comparison , and Outcome ) questions are commonly used to formulate both focused and answerable research questions . The acronym provides a framework to create questions that can help the researcher to identify relevant information . Although PICO is a commonly utilized framework , other types exist that may be more applicable to different research questions ( e . g ., PEO , SPIDER , SPICE , ECLIPSE ) ( University of North Carolina , 2022 ).
Population , Problem , or Patient
This refers to the specific group of individuals or subjects under investigation . It can include characteristics such as age , gender , medical condition , or any other relevant demographic information .
Intervention or Exposure
This defines the specific intervention or exposure being studied . It could be a treatment , therapy , diagnostic tool , preventive measure , or any other intervention of interest . This intervention should be described in detail to ensure clarity .
Comparison
In some research questions , it is important to compare the intervention to an alternative or control group . The comparison group can be a placebo , standard treatment , or any other relevant comparison point .
Outcome
This refers to the desired or measured outcome of the study . It could be a clinical outcome , a change in behavior , quality of life improvement , or any other measurable endpoint . It is important to define the outcome to ensure the research question is focused .
42 NSNA IMPRINT • NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023 • www . nsna . org