REVIEWING THE LITERATURE

Meghana SudhirMeghana Sudhir

INTRODUCTIONResearch is a major force in nursingResearch is a major force in nursingThe knowledge generated from research isThe knowledge generated from research is

• Changing nursing practiceChanging nursing practice• Nursing educationNursing education• Health policyHealth policy

Research is never conducted in an intellectual vacuumResearch is never conducted in an intellectual vacuumStudies are done with in the context of existing knowledge baseStudies are done with in the context of existing knowledge baseTo familiarize with the knowledge base, reviewing the literature To familiarize with the knowledge base, reviewing the literature is very is very

essentialessential

Literature Review

Summary of current theoretical and empirical sources

Generates a picture of known and unknown problem

A critical summary of research topic.

PurposePurpose

Reviewing helps in determining current knowledge Reviewing helps in determining current knowledge

aboutabout

– A particular practice problemA particular practice problem

– Known and not known/past and current problemKnown and not known/past and current problem

– To summarize knowledge for use in practiceTo summarize knowledge for use in practice

– Provides a basis for conducting study.Provides a basis for conducting study.

Scope should be broad enough to-

– Familiarize the problem

– Narrow enough to include relevant source

1. Source of research article:1. Source of research article:

Once the problem is formulated, Once the problem is formulated,

undertake extensive literature survey undertake extensive literature survey

connected with the problem.connected with the problem.

PART –A DETAILS ABOUT

RESEARCH ARTICLE

I. TheoreticalI. Theoretical Concerned with knowledgeConcerned with knowledge Based on theory rather than experience.Based on theory rather than experience. Sources found in periodicals, monographs – written onesSources found in periodicals, monographs – written onesII EmpiricalII Empirical Based on observationsBased on observations Based on experimentsBased on experiments Relevant studies published in journals, books, unpublished Relevant studies published in journals, books, unpublished

studiesstudies

Source of research article:Source of research article: Cont….

Predominantly two important sourcesPredominantly two important sources

Source of research article: Cont………….Source of research article: Cont………….

These two includeThese two include Concept analysisConcept analysis ModelsModels TheoriesTheories Conceptual frameworkConceptual framework

– Supports a research problemSupports a research problem– Reflects on the current understanding of the problemReflects on the current understanding of the problem– Provides basis for study frameworkProvides basis for study framework

Source of research article:Source of research article: Cont……..

Other published information

Description of critical situation Educational literature Position paper

Reviewed but rarely cited as they are more subjective (Pinch, 1995)

Source of research article:Source of research article: Cont…………..

Theoretical and empirical sources Theoretical and empirical sources

A. Primary source

Written by the researcher himself who

conducted the study

Responsible for generating ideas

published – e.g.: empirical publications

Cont…….

B. Secondary sourceB. Secondary source

Summaries or quotes from primary sourceSummaries or quotes from primary source

Authors paraphrase the works of researcherAuthors paraphrase the works of researcher

Writing article is subjective – influenced by the author’s Writing article is subjective – influenced by the author’s

perception and biasperception and bias

Fails to provide details about studyFails to provide details about study

Secondary source is not substitute for primary sourceSecondary source is not substitute for primary source

E.g.:E.g.: original qualitative experience in the ICU- original qualitative experience in the ICU- Primary Primary

sourcesource

Reviewing literature on patients, experience in ICU – Reviewing literature on patients, experience in ICU –

Secondary sourceSecondary source

Theoretical and empirical sources may be available as Cont….

Theoretical and empirical sources may be available as Cont….

Primary sources are cited predominantly Primary sources are cited predominantly

Secondary sources are used only if-Secondary sources are used only if-

– Primary source is not locatedPrimary source is not located

– Primary source does not provide creative ideaPrimary source does not provide creative idea

– Unique organization is not found in Primary sourceUnique organization is not found in Primary source

– Primary source is consulted whenever possiblePrimary source is consulted whenever possible

III . Reading/ Critiquing/ The Literature Article For Review

Research reports need– Identification and critiquing for quality

– Source should be relevant and current (last 5 to 10 years)

– Before writing review know how to read research report

III Reading/ Critiquing/ The Literature Article For Review Cont….

Organization of report / reviewOrganization of report / review In a format In a format Particular style Particular style Consisting of six areas with four Consisting of six areas with four

major sectionsmajor sections 1.1. IntroductionIntroduction2.2. MethodMethod3.3. Results MResults Major sectionsajor sections 4.4. DiscussionDiscussion5.5. AbstractAbstract6.6. ReferenceReference

Organization of report / review Cont…….Organization of report / review Cont…….

1. Introduction1. Introduction Acquainting readers with research problem and its contentAcquainting readers with research problem and its content May or may not be labeled May or may not be labeled Follow immediately after the abstract Follow immediately after the abstract Describes central phenomena, concepts/ variables understudy/ Describes central phenomena, concepts/ variables understudy/

problem areasproblem areas Review of related literatureReview of related literature Knowledge relating to study problemsKnowledge relating to study problems How study fits with previous findingsHow study fits with previous findings Contribution of the new study / importance to nursingContribution of the new study / importance to nursing Introduction sets stage for description of what is done and Introduction sets stage for description of what is done and

what was learnedwhat was learned by researcher

Organization of report / review Cont…….Organization of report / review Cont…….2.Method2.MethodResearch designResearch designPlan for collecting data Plan for collecting data

Steps adapted to minimize biasSteps adapted to minimize biasInterpretation of results Interpretation of results Subjects – population under studySubjects – population under study• specification of the criteria of sampling specification of the criteria of sampling

• Actual sample – selection and number Actual sample – selection and number

Measures and data collection Measures and data collection • Method and procedure Method and procedure • Operationalization of variablesOperationalization of variables• Quality of measuringQuality of measuring

Study procedure Study procedure • To conduct studyTo conduct study• Description of intervention Description of intervention • Protection of rights of human subjectsProtection of rights of human subjects

Organization of report / review Cont…….Organization of report / review Cont…….

3. Results3. Results Research findingsResearch findings

Summaries of the findings with tables and figuresSummaries of the findings with tables and figures

Highlight of note worthy resultsHighlight of note worthy results

Key variables using simple statistics. Eg:- prenatal drug Key variables using simple statistics. Eg:- prenatal drug

exposure on birth outcomes of infant describesexposure on birth outcomes of infant describes

– average birth weightaverage birth weight

– APGAR score of infantsAPGAR score of infants

3. Results Cont…….3. Results Cont…….

Significance Significance

Results of statistical test – probably valid and Results of statistical test – probably valid and

replicable with new sample of subjects replicable with new sample of subjects

Level of significance – how probable the findings Level of significance – how probable the findings

are reliable are reliable .e.g.:-.e.g.:-findings are significant at 0.05 findings are significant at 0.05

levellevel

4. Discussion Qualitative and quantitative report Interpretation of results Draws conclusions about meaning of the findings Translation of findings into practical, conceptual and theoretical

meaning Application of findings

– Study limitations– Sample deficiencies– Design problems– Weakness in data collection

Demonstrates that author was aware of limitation and interprets the findings based on the results

5.Abstract5.AbstractBrief description of the study placed in the beginning of the articleBrief description of the study placed in the beginning of the articleIs about 100 – 200 wordsIs about 100 – 200 wordsContent Content

•Research questionResearch question•Method used to address the questionMethod used to address the question•FindingsFindings•Implication for nursing practiceImplication for nursing practice

Traditional organization of abstractTraditional organization of abstract•BackgroundBackground

•ObjectivesObjectives•MethodMethod•ResultsResults

•ConclusionConclusion•Key wordsKey words

6.Reference

Article conclude with a list of –books,

reports referred

Reference is an excellent place to

begin in

perusing information / additional

reading

Tips For Reading Research Article

1. Preliminary hints on digesting report 1. Preliminary hints on digesting report and dealing with issuesand dealing with issues

Get accustomed to the style by repeated frequent Get accustomed to the style by repeated frequent readingreadingRead slowly and carefully to get major points Read slowly and carefully to get major points Read critically while preparing a written reviewRead critically while preparing a written reviewKeep underlying rationale of research in mind Keep underlying rationale of research in mind Use highlighter for underliningUse highlighter for underliningWrite questions/ notes in the marginWrite questions/ notes in the margin

Tips For Reading Research Article Cont……..

Train yourself to become active reader Train yourself to become active reader

Ask research instructor/ faculty member for clarificationAsk research instructor/ faculty member for clarification

if problem in comprehensionif problem in comprehension

Look up unfamiliar terms in glossary/indexLook up unfamiliar terms in glossary/index

Grasp the gist of the story without letting formulas and Grasp the gist of the story without letting formulas and

numbersnumbers

Translate them mentally/ in writing till you accustom to Translate them mentally/ in writing till you accustom to

the style and Jargon of articlethe style and Jargon of article

IV Depth And Breadth Of Literature IV Depth And Breadth Of Literature

CoverageCoverageHow broad the literature should be?How broad the literature should be?

•No convenient formula for the number of reference and also No convenient formula for the number of reference and also

pagespages

Extensiveness / Depth depends on number of factorsExtensiveness / Depth depends on number of factors

•Major determinantsMajor determinants

•Nature of document being preparedNature of document being prepared

1. A review included in a research report1. A review included in a research report

2. A review included in a research proposal2. A review included in a research proposal

3. A review is a Thesis / dissertation3. A review is a Thesis / dissertation

4. Free – standing LR4. Free – standing LR

Breadth of LR Depends on the topic and extensivity of the topic For some topic – non nursing literature (sociology,

psychology, biology/medicine)reviewed Relevance and quality are the key criteria Literature related to the problems merits more

detailed coverage Study indirectly related – summarized/ omitted if

page is restricted

Locating relevant literature articles for reviewLocating relevant literature articles for review Ability to identify and locate document is

important , skill It requires adaptability to

– Rapid technological changes – internet– Manual method of findings of information from

print source

Internet / online search Internet / online search

An important bibliographic

development

accessed through , Yahoo, Google etc

Internet bibliographic information is not

comprehensive

May create frustration with searching

Internet / online search Cont……..Internet / online search Cont……..

Conducting a computer search of relevant databases Generates list of references with bibliographic

information Helps to determine quickly the relevancy of study Advantage – comprehensive, affordable, accessible and

easy to conduct Students provided with an account for accessibility to

internet World wide web (www) information service access to

internet resource by content

Internet / online search Cont……..Internet / online search Cont…….. For nurses the

– CINHAL (Cumulative Index to Nursing Allied Health Literature) initiated in 1983

– MEDLARS(Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System)offered by National Library of Medicine(NAL)

– MEDLINE- Medical literature on-line – 6million articles from 3500 Biomedical Journals

– CHID- Combined health information data base– CATLINE- Catalogue on line

Locating source Organize the list of identified sources Search for the source Recording reference systematically

2.Using the Library / Library sources Journals Books Conference proceedings Masters thesis Doctorial dissertation Publication of professional organization Government documents

Cont……..

International nursing Index Cumulative index to nursing and allied health literature

– Nursing study index – Index medicus– Hospital literature index

Indexes are published periodically through out the year with annual cumulative index

Index provides assistance Identifies the appropriate subject heading in the index

Cont………

International nursing Index Cont…….

Proceed to the subject section of the interest Searching the catalogue and indexes Catalogue identifies what is available in the

library and on an online computer Books are excellent sources (do not over look the

value believing the content is too old) for qualitative research.

Books include extensive bibliography

Tips for locating Locating information is like being a

detective Lot of sifting and sorting of the clues to

knowledge on a topic Be prepared for slenthing Ask help from library for detective

work

Part- BPreparing a written literature review

FLOW OF TASK IN LITERATURE REVIEWFLOW OF TASK IN LITERATURE REVIEW

Identify key words

and concepts

Identify potential

references through

electronic or manual search

Retrieve promising references

Screen references for relevance and appropriatene

ss

Read relevant

reference and take

notes

Organize reference

Analyze and integrate materials

Write review

Identify new references through citations

Discard irrelevant

and inappropriate references

Preparing a written literature review

1. . Screening referenceScreening reference

Literature search needs screeningLiterature search needs screening

– Is the list readily availableIs the list readily available

– Relevance of the referenceRelevance of the reference

– Studies methodologic qualityStudies methodologic quality

2. Abstracting and recording notes2. Abstracting and recording notes

Read the entire report carefully and criticallyRead the entire report carefully and critically

Identify material observing Identify material observing

Flows in the studyFlows in the study

Gaps in the reportGaps in the report

Sl. NoSl. No AuthorAuthor Type of Type of studystudy

SampleSample DesignDesign Data Data collection collection approachapproach

Key Key findingsfindings

3.Organizing the review3.Organizing the reviewCritical taskCritical taskLiterature is extensiveLiterature is extensivePrepare a summary tablePrepare a summary table

Table provides quick over view of mass of informationTable provides quick over view of mass of information

Tips- Figure out a way to cluster and compare studiesTips- Figure out a way to cluster and compare studies

•Search for important themesSearch for important themes

3.Organizing the review Cont…….3.Organizing the review Cont…….

Writing a literature review- Is not complete until draft and edited a written product

Content of written literature review Provide objectives Well organized summary on stock of knowledge on a

topic Series of quotes or a series of abstract No need of giving extensive coverage for every reference Information of prevalence of the problem build a core for there new study

Style of research reviewStyle of research review Students will have trouble adjusting to the standardStudents will have trouble adjusting to the standard Hypothesis are not proved, they are supported by research Hypothesis are not proved, they are supported by research

findingsfindings Theories are not verified but tentatively acceptedTheories are not verified but tentatively accepted

Tips-Tips- Phrases are in need while describing study findingsPhrases are in need while describing study findings Several studies have found Several studies have found Finds thus far suggestedFinds thus far suggested Results from a landmark study indicatedResults from a landmark study indicated The data support the hypothesisThe data support the hypothesis There appears to be strong evidence thatThere appears to be strong evidence that

• A related stylistic problem is an inclination of novice reviewers to A related stylistic problem is an inclination of novice reviewers to interpret opinion into the reviewinterpret opinion into the review

• Reviewers own opinion do not belong in a review with exception of Reviewers own opinion do not belong in a review with exception of assessmentassessment

Conclusion Conclusion 11. . Methodology may defer but basic approach remains the Methodology may defer but basic approach remains the

samesame2. Review literature is essential and an important part in a 2. Review literature is essential and an important part in a

research studyresearch study3. Don’t forget to have the following points3. Don’t forget to have the following points

• IntroductionIntroduction• MethodMethod• ResultResult• DiscussionDiscussion• AbstractAbstract• ReferenceReference

4. The significance of research lies in its quality and not in 4. The significance of research lies in its quality and not in quantityquantity

THANK YOU !