How do I partner with a librarian to help ? To define a research question , it is important to understand what already exists in the literature . Your university librarian can assist in creating your question by helping you to find relevant literature and narrowing down your topic of interest .
What is the role of keywords ? Keywords are words or phrases that describe the main concepts or topics of a research question and are used to search databases and identify relevant studies . It is important to carefully select appropriate keywords , the keywords may be general or more specific in nature ; consider synonyms and related terms for each keyword .
Step 2 : Conduct a Comprehensive Search Once the research question is defined , the next step is to conduct a comprehensive search of relevant databases and sources . This may include academic journals , books , and other credible sources .
How can a librarian help ? Librarians are experts in information literacy and can assist in identifying relevant databases , search terms , and overall search strategies . They can also provide guidance on how to critically evaluate the quality and relevance of the literature that is found , as well as assist with citation management and referencing to ensure that the literature review is well-structured and meets appropriate citation styles . Many academic libraries offer specialized services and resources for nursing students , such as access to nursing-specific databases and reference materials .
How to use database searches ? Databases are a crucial resource for conducting a literature review and will be used almost every time . Some of the most common databases are PubMed , CINAHL , and Scopus ; each of these databases vary in their focus . As previously mentioned in Step 1 , it is important to use a variety of search terms and keywords to ensure that all relevant literature is identified . Many databases offer search filters or limiters to narrow down the results , which can be useful for focusing on specific types of studies or publication types .
What is peer review ? Peer review is a process by which experts in a particular field evaluate and critique research studies before they are published in academic journals . Peer-reviewed studies should be prioritized when conducting a literature review because these studies have undergone rigorous evaluation . They tend to be more reliable and credible than expert opinion papers . Peer review can help to ensure that studies are methodologically sound and have appropriate sample sizes and statistical analysis . Peer review is not a perfect system , and there may still be limitations or biases in peer-reviewed studies . It is up to readers to synthesize and interpret the available data to the best of their ability ( National Library of Medicine , 2023 ).
Step 3 : Critically Evaluate the Literature Once the relevant literature has been identified , we want to critically evaluate its quality and relevance . This involves assessing the methodology , sample size , and conclusions of each study . It is important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each study and to evaluate the overall quality of the literature .
Aspect to Critique Research Question Study Design Sample Data Collection Datea Analysis Findings Strengths Limitations Quality of Sources Literature Gaps Critical Perspective
Key Questions Is the research question clearly stated and relevant to the topic ? What is the study design ? Is it apprpriate for answering the research question ? Is the sample size adequate ? Are inclusion / exclusion criteria well-defined ? What methods were used to collect data ? Are they reliable and valid ? Were appropriate statistical analyses conducted ? Were biases addressed ? Are the findings clearly presented ? Are they supported by the data ? What are the strengths of the study ? Does it contribute to existing knowledge ? What are the limitations of the study ? Are potential biases acknowledged ? Are the selcted sources reputable and scholarly ? Are they current ? Does the literature review identify gaps or areas for further research ? Does the author present a critical analysis and interpretation of the literature ?
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