LOCATING AND CRITICALLY ANALYZING PRIMARY RESEARCH ARTICLES
LOCATING AND CRITICALLY ANALYZING PRIMARY RESEARCH ARTICLES
What steps do you take to locate primary and peer-reviewed research articles when performing a literature search?
What resources are available to you to engage in a meaningful and successful literature search?
As you have explored throughout this course, Walden University provides vast resources for student support to ensure success in their academic program of study. When it comes to research and using Library resources, several support mechanisms are available to you as well.
Taking the first step to think about a research topic or area of interest and filtering that topic using a series of keywords and operations will be a fundamental component for performing a literature search in Walden Library’s databases. While the ultimate goal is to produce a set or results that match your search criteria, you must keep in mind that that the quality of the research articles obtained will likely vary. Thus, you must critically examine and analyze the aims of the research produced and how it aligns, confirms, or negates your topic or area of research. As you develop proficiency in this area, you will discover that you can extract content themes and frameworks to enhance future research and the need to identify additional research support.
For this Assignment, consult the Walden Library webinars and resources provided. These resources serve as a general good first step for performing literature searches and engaging with the databases of research available to you. Think about a research topic or area of interest to focus on for this Assignment. Then, search the Walden Library to locate and retrieve peer-reviewed research articles that pertain to your topic or area of interest.
TO PREPARE:
- Review the Walden Library webinars presented in the media Learning Resources for this week.
- Then, search the Walden Library and locate three peer-reviewed primary research articles that pertain to your practice area and are of particular interest to you.
THE ASSIGNMENT: (6 PARAGRAPHS)
Write a 6-paragraph APA-formatted paper in which you do the following:
- Write a 1-pararaph introduction of how you conducted your literature search and the databases consulted in your search in relation to your practice area or area of interest. Be specific and provide examples.
- Write a 1-paragraph summary of each of the articles you have selected (a total of 3 paragraphs).
- Write 1 paragraph that synthesizes the three articles using a scholarly voice.
- Write a final paragraph in which you discuss the differences between summarizing and synthesizing research. Be specific and provide examples.
Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The Sample Paper provided at the Walden Writing Center provides an example of those required elements (available at https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates/general#s-lg-box-20293632Links to an external site.). All papers submitted must use this formatting.
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Locating and Critically Analyzing Primary Research Articles
Developing the proficiency to locate, read, and evaluate research articles is essential to your success in this doctoral program and your career. With this Assignment, you have the opportunity to become familiar with the Walden Library by searching the databases, reviewing resources, and downloading full-text articles. You are asked to think critically as you do this, keeping in mind that as a doctoral candidate you must be able to enhance your profession’s body of knowledge by synthesizing what you have learned into new insights and applying them in meaningful ways within the practice environment (as a DNP-prepared nurse) or engaging in original research (as a PhD-prepared nurse).
To prepare:
- Participate in or review an archived version of the following Walden Library Webinars:
- Introduction to the Walden Library
- Evaluating Online Resources
- An Introduction to Evidence-Based Searching
- Then search the Walden Library and locate two peer-reviewed primary research articles that pertain to your practice area and are of particular interest to you.
By Day 7
To complete:
By Wednesday 6/21/17, write a 4-paragraph APA-formatted paper with 4 references from the list below addressing the following:
1) Write a 1-paragraph summary of each of the articles you have selected (a total of 2 paragraphs). See Attached PDF for Articles
2) Write 1 paragraph that synthesizes the two articles using a scholarly voice.
3) Write a final paragraph in which you discuss the differences between summarizing and synthesizing research.
P.S. Include an Introduction ending with a purpose statement (e.g. the purpose of this paper is…), and a conclusion.
Required Readings
Walden Library. (2014). Publication Comparison Chart. Retrieved from: http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/peerreviewvsscholarly
This guide discusses three main publication types that you will encounter in the Walden Library: scholarly journals, trade publications, and popular magazines. It contains information about these publication types and a chart comparing their purpose, content, audience, etc.
Eaton, S. E. (2010). Reading strategies: Differences between summarizing and synthesizing [Blog post]. Literacy, Languages and Leadership. Retrieved from http://drsaraheaton.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/reading-strategies-differneces-between-summarizing-and-synthesizing/
The author proposes that critical reading must include using critical thinking to create “new” information and insights from this information.
Institutional Review Board for Ethical Standards in Research: IRB Office Hours and meetings. Retrieved January 15, 2014, from http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/Institutional-Review-Board-for-Ethical-Standards-in-Research.htm
This the Walden online tutorial at the bottom of this page provides information on Walden’s Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). These boards are responsible for ensuring that all Walden research studies meet specific ethical and legal criteria.
Walden University Library. (2014). Webinar archives. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/webinararchives
Introduction to the Walden Library
Evaluating Online Resources
An Introduction to Evidence-Based Searching
The Walden Library webinars provide relevant information on accessing and evaluating scholarly sources. The information on retrieving evidence-based practice sources is especially pertinent to the DNP student.
Walden University. (2011). Student publications: Code of conduct. Retrieved from http://catalog.waldenu.edu/
Select the current version of the “Walden University Student Handbook” from the drop-down menu.
In the left navigation bar, click “University Policies and Code of Conduct.”
Then click “Student Conduct and Responsibilities.”
This link provides you with Student Conduct and Responsibility guidelines to help you develop a better understanding of Walden University’s expectations.
Document: Stages in Critical Reading of Research Articles (PDF) (See attached file)
This chart describes the purpose of and questions for six stages of critically reading research articles. Focus on the many activities and questions that make up the critical-reading process. Begin to consider the journal articles and books you read in terms of these criteria.
Document: Introduction to Scholarly Writing: Plagiarism and Academic Integrity (PDF) (See attached file)
This document supplements the information on plagiarism and academic integrity presented in the related video program.
Document: Introduction to Scholarly Writing: Tips for Success (PDF) (See attached file)
This document, which accompanies the video program of the same title, provides resources for improving your scholarly writing and critical-thinking skills.
Document: Common APA Style and Formatting Challenges (PDF) (See attached file)
This document can be used as a quick reference guide for proper APA style and formatting.
Murphy, J. (2011). The nursing informatics workforce: who are they and what do they do?. Nursing Economic$, 29(3), 150-153.
Collins, S., Po-Yin, Y., Phillips, A., & Kennedy, M. K. (2017). Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment for the Nurse Leader. Journal of Nursing Administration, 47(4), 212-218. doi:10.1097/NNA.0000000000000467
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012b). Introduction to scholarly writing: Finding a scholarly voice[Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 4 minutes.
This media program discusses the importance of writing with a scholarly voice, distinguishing between a voice that is effective and one that is not, and identifying what is needed to develop your own scholarly voice.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012c). Introduction to scholarly writing: Plagiarism and academic integrity [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.
Scholarly writing requires ethical practice in every phase and form of the process, from the drafting of a course paper to the completion of a capstone project. Academic integrity is foundational to all teaching and learning at Walden University. As a Walden student, you are required to follow the guidelines of academic integrity as set forth in the Walden Catalog. This media program helps you to do so.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012d). Introduction to scholarly writing: Purpose, audience, and evidence [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.
Key concepts related to scholarly writing are introduced in this media program.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012e). Introduction to scholarly writing: Tips for success [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 3 minutes.
This media program presents tips for becoming a scholarly writer, including how to identify fears related to scholarly writing and connect with resources to improve writing skills.
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Use Discount Code "Newclient" for a 15% Discount!
NB: We do not resell papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.