Ch 6: Understanding and critically appraising the literature review

A researcher wishes to conduct a literature search on the topic, "spousal support for breastfeeding mothers." Which of the following would yield the least helpful information? a. Internet b. CINAHL c. PsycLIT d. MEDLINE

a. Internet The Internet can provide the researcher with inaccurate and accurate information. The other listed sources provide professional, accurate information on specialized topics in a more convenient manner.Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)Content Area: Searching databases

Theses, dissertations, and studies of clinical nursing problems are examples of which type of literature? a. Clinical b. Empirical c. Lay d. Theoretical

b. Empirical Theses, dissertations, and studies of clinical nursing problems are examples of empirical literature because they are all derived from research projects. Theoretical literature includes concept analyses, models, theories, and conceptual frameworks that support a selected research problem and purpose. Theoretical sources can be found in books, periodicals, and monographs.

Which type of qualitative research involves reviewing the literature before the study to provide a background for conducting the study? a. Descriptive b. Ethnography c. Grounded theory d. Phenomenology

b. Ethnography Ethnographic research involves reviewing the literature before the study to provide a background for conducting the study, as in quantitative research. Descriptive research is the exploration and description of phenomena in real-life situations. Grounded theory researchers include a minimal review of relevant studies at the beginning of the research process. Phenomenologists believe that the literature should be reviewed after data collection and analysis, so that the information in the literature will not influence the researcher's openness.

What type of source is written by the person who originated it or is responsible for generating the ideas? a. Academic lecture b. Primary c. Literature review d. Textbook

Primary A primary source is a source that is written by the person who originated it or is responsible for generating the ideas published. An academic lecture, literature review, and textbook are considered secondary sources.

Match the purpose of the literature review with the type of qualitative research.The review of the literature is done early in the research process to provide a general understanding of the characteristics to be examined in a selected culture. a. Ethnographic research b. Grounded theory research c. Phenomenological research d. Historical research

a. Ethnographic research The review of literature in ethnographic research is like that in quantitative research. The literature is reviewed early in the research process to provide a general understanding of the variables to be examined in a selected culture. The literature usually is theoretical, because few studies typically have been conducted in the area of interest.

What is the primary purpose for reviewing the literature in quantitative research? a. Direct the data collection and analysis step of a study b. Gain a broad understanding of the information available related to a problem c. Select a research design and detail the treatment or intervention to be used in a study d. Specify research objectives, questions, and hypotheses to be addressed by the study

b. Gain a broad understanding of the information available related to a problem The primary purpose for reviewing the literature is to gain a broad background or understanding of the information available related to a problem. Secondarily, researchers seek information that will guide them in developing the methodology of a study.

Match the purpose of the literature review with the type of qualitative research. Use the literature to explain, support, and extend the theory generated in the study. a. Ethnographic research b. Grounded theory research c. Phenomenological research d. Historical research

b. Grounded theory research Grounded theory researchers include a minimal review of relevant studies at the beginning of the research process. This review is merely a means of making the researcher aware of what studies have been conducted, but the information from these studies is not used to direct data collection or theory development for the current study. The researcher uses the literature primarily to explain, support, and extend the theory generated in the study.

Which of the following is not an essential step in summarizing research literature to determine its usefulness for practice? a. Conducting a computer search of the literature b. Locating all sources on a clinical problem c. Reading and critiquing relevant sources d. Synthesizing the sources in a literature review

b. Locating all sources on a clinical problem Not all sources must be located on a selected topic because only the relevant sources need to be located and included in the literature review

A researcher performs statistical analyses using summative findings from multiple published quantitative studies on a specific topic. What strategy is the researching using? a. Conceptual mapping b. Meta-analysis c. Multiple regression d. Retrospective quantification

b. Meta-analysis Meta-analyses go beyond the integrated review by performing statistical analyses using summative findings from multiple published studies. Conceptual mapping is when the researcher visually represents relationships among phenomena, and are used in both qualitative and quantitative research. Multiple regression is a statistical procedure for understanding the effects of two or more independent variables on a dependent variable. Retrospective quantification is a study design that begins with the manifestation of the outcome variable in the present, followed by a search for a presumed cause occurring in the past

Which of the following does the researcher do when conducting a meta-analysis? a. Creates benchmarks b. Performs statistical analyses using findings from multiple studies c. Discards insignificant findings d. Synthesizes findings

b. Performs statistical analyses using findings from multiple studies Meta-analysis goes a step beyond synthesis to perform statistical analyses using data provided in multiple studies.

What type of publication is published over time and is numbered sequentially for the years published? a. Monograph b. Periodical c. Article d. Encyclopedia

b. Periodical A periodical such as a journal is published over time and is numbered sequentially for the years published. This sequential numbering is seen in the year, volume, issue, and page numbering of a journal. A monograph, such as a book on a specific subject, a record of conference proceedings, or a pamphlet, usually is a one-time publication. An article is a paper about a specific topic and may be published together with other articles on similar themes in journals (periodicals), encyclopedias, or edited books. An encyclopedia is an authoritative compilation of information on alphabetized topics that may provide background information and lead to other sources, but is rarely cited in academic papers and publications.

What is the purpose of a scholarly review of research literature? a. To correct gaps in the current knowledge base b. To describe current knowledge of the problem c. To implement new protocols d. To prevent researchers from making previous mistakes

b. To describe current knowledge of the problem The review of literature in a research report is a summary of current knowledge about a practice problem and includes what is known and not known about this problem. The literature is reviewed to summarize knowledge for use in practice or to provide a basis for conducting a study.

Which of the following databases is the most helpful in locating research sources that might be summarized for use in nursing practice? a. BIOETHICSLINE b. CANCERLIT (CANR) c. CINAHL d. MEDLINE

c. CINAHL Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Information System is the online version for CINAHL that was initiated in 1983 and has the most extensive listing of nursing sources. BIOETHICSLINE is a collection containing over 50,000 bibliographic citations for resources that cover literature on a wide range of bioethical issues. CANCERLIT (CANR) is a database of published information about cancer, including its causes, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. MEDLINE is a database of published biomedical journals relevant to healthcare professionals deemed reputable by the National Library of Medicine; includes abstracts with links to some full-text sources.

Researchers selecting an electronic database to search for a subject would initiate the search by typing which of the following? a. Author's name b. Journal title c. Keyword d. Truncated word

c. Keyword Keywords are the major concepts or variables of a research problem or topic. These terms will be what you key in to begin a search. In most databases, phrases can be used, as well as single terms. As relevant studies are identified, they can be reviewed for other terms to be used as keywords. Alternative terms (synonyms) for concepts or variables also can be used as keywords

A researcher is interested in conducting an integrative review of pain tools used in nonverbal persons. Which of the following is an appropriate method to maximize hits when conducting a literature search? a. Inserting single terms as keywords b. Limiting the search to the last 5 years c. Performing a complex search d. Surfing the Internet

c. Performing a complex search Complex searches combining two or more concepts in one search provide more accurate and meaningful results.

Match the purpose of the literature review with the type of qualitative research. Review the literature to develop research questions and to use as a source of data. a. Ethnographic research b. Grounded theory research c. Phenomenological research d. Historical research

c. Phenomenological research Phenomenology researchers compare and combine findings from the study with the literature to determine current knowledge of a phenomenon.

Empirical literature includes which of the following sources? a. Concept analyses b. Integrated reviews c. Published studies d. Theoretical positions

c. Published studies Published studies are the only form of literature listed that is considered to be empirical literature.

A primary step in appraising a literature review is to evaluate which of the following? a. Clarity of the purpose of the study b. Fit of the research design to the method used c. Relevance of the sources cited d. Soundness of the research used as sources

c. Relevance of the sources cited It is important that the sources in a literature review be relevant. One would not expect to find secondary sources, studies published in the last year, or abstracts of studies in a literature review.

While critiquing a review of the literature, the reader notes a citation with an author's name that differs from the name of the originating source. The reader recognizes this as an example of what type of publication? a. Empirical b. Primary c. Secondary d. Theoretical

c. Secondary Secondary sources summarize or paraphrase from the original work. Empirical literature in a literature review section of an article refers to knowledge derived from research. A primary source is written by the person who originated or is responsible for generating the ideas published. Theoretical literature includes concept analyses, models, theories, and conceptual frameworks that support a selected research problem and purpose. Theoretical sources can be found in books, periodicals, and monographs.

For what primary purpose do grounded theorists review the literature? a. To compare findings from the present study to determine similarities and differences b. To direct the planning and execution of a study c. To explain, support, and extend the theory generated in the study d. To provide a general understanding of the phenomenon to be studied

c. To explain, support, and extend the theory generated in the study Grounded theorists use the literature review to primarily support, explain, and generate theory from the findings of the study. Only a minimal or cursory review is done before data collection.

Match the purpose of the literature review with the type of qualitative research. Review the literature to determine the current knowledge. a. Ethnographic research b. Grounded theory research c. Phenomenological research d. Historical research

d. Historical research Historical researchers conduct an initial literature review to select a research topic and to develop research questions. Then the investigator develops an inventory of sources, locates these sources, and examines them; thus the literature constitutes a major.

Which section of the literature review includes a concise presentation of the current knowledge base for a clinical practice problem, including what is known and not known? a. Introduction b. Theoretical literature c. Empirical literature d. Summary

d. Summary The summary of a literature review includes a concise presentation of the current knowledge base for a clinical practice problem, including what is known and not known about the problem. The introduction section is where the researcher documents the background and significance of the research problem. Theoretical literature includes concept analyses, models, theories, and conceptual frameworks that support a selected research problem and purpose. Theoretical sources can be found in books, periodicals, and monographs. Empirical literature in a literature review section of an article refers to knowledge derived from research.

Which of the following is the type of reasoning used with integrating findings from multiple studies? a. Analysis b. Application c. Comprehension d. Synthesis

d. Synthesis Synthesis is required to integrate findings from multiple studies. Analysis requires manipulation of what you are finding, literally making it your own. Application is the act of putting to a special use or purpose. Comprehension is the perception or understanding.

Which U.S. government agency commissions syntheses of studies to determine the evidence base for clinical practice? a. The Cochrane Collaboration b. Sigma Theta Tau c. Evidence-Based Nursing d. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

d. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) AHRQ is the only government agency listed, and this agency has the responsibility for commissioning syntheses of studies to develop an evidence base for practice.

At what point during a study does a qualitative researcher using a phenomenological approach review the literature? a. At the beginning of the study b. Throughout the study c. While collecting data d. During generation of the research report

d.During generation of the research report phenomenologists believe that the literature should be reviewed after data collection and analysis, so that the information in the literature will not influence the researcher's openness.