When conducting a literature review, what are the steps you should you take to successfully search the evidence?

searching and appraising literature

When conducting a literature review, what are the steps you should you take to successfully search the evidence? Once you have generated your results, how do you properly appraise the evidence, grade them, and select the ones you want to use?
When conducting a literature review, the goal is to produce a set of results that match your search criteria. The results you get will vary dramatically depending on the search engine(s) you utilize and which key words you choose to enter. Selecting the right database(s) is one skill; selecting the best key words is another. In this Assignment, you will hone your skills in both of these important aspects of the search process.
Keep in mind, the results of your search will vary in terms of quality, as well as appropriateness, and significance to your research goals. For this reason, searching is only the first step of the process. The second step is to appraise the results you identified, and based on your evaluations, select the literature that you will select.
Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
To prepare:
• Review the Learning Resources for this week which focus on how to successfully search and appraise search results.
• Review the course textbook Appendices E1, E2, E3, and G2 located in the Learning Resources for this week, which you will be required to complete and submit as part of this Assignment.
• Select one organizational type and one gap in practice or practice change on which to focus for this Assignment.
Note: You may select a new organizational type and gap in practice or practice change or, if you choose, you may reuse one on which you focused for a previous Assignment, Discussion, or Blog in this course.

Also Note: These may or may not be the same organizational type and gap in practice or practice change as those you will focus on for your Practicum and DNP Project.

• Consider all of the factors you should take into account when searching the evidence, then, using the Walden Library databases, conduct a search related to the organizational type and gap in practice or practice change you selected.
• Consider all of the factors you should take into account when appraising evidence, then, using the course text Appendices E1, E2, and E3, appraise the results of your search.
• Based on your appraisals, identify the three recent (within the last five years), peer-reviewed articles that you think are most relevant to your research goals.

Note: For this Assignment, you must complete Appendix G2 based on having completed either Appendix E1, E2, or E3 for each of the three articles you selected, as appropriate. You will submit a total of four documents (three completed Appendices along with your 2–3-page paper).
Be sure to review the grading rubric for this Assignment so you fully understand what is expected of you. To access the rubric, scroll down to the bottom of the Assignment page.
The Assignment: (2–3 pages)
Write a paper in which you do the following:
• Describe the organizational type and gap in practice or practice change you selected and explain the goals of the search you conducted.
• Describe your process of searching the evidence. Be specific and provide examples. Based on your knowledge from the Week 1 webinar assignment discuss the following:
o Which database(s) did you select? Why did you choose them?
o Which key words did you select? Why did you choose them
o What limits and filters did you use to find the most accurate evidence?
• Describe your process of appraising the evidence you identified. Be specific and provide examples. Include the following:
o How many articles did you find?
o Based on what criteria did you decide on the three recent (within the last five years), peer-reviewed articles that you selected?
• Include copies of your completed Appendix G2, along with the Appendices E1, E2, or E3, that you completed as appropriate for each of the articles you selected.
o Note: For this Assignment, you must complete Appendix G2 based on having completed either Appendices E1, E2, E3 for each of the three articles you selected, as appropriate. You will submit a total of four documents (three completed Appendices along with your 2–3-page paper).
Note: Use this week’s Learning Resources to support your Assignment. Use proper APA format and style for all references and citations. The College of Nursing requires that all papers include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. Use the College of Nursing Writing TemplateLinks to an external site. for your Assignment submission.
By Day 7 of Week 8
Submit your Assignment.
submission information
Before submitting your final assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the Turnitin Drafts from the Start Here area.
1. To submit your completed assignment, save your five documents as W8Assgn_Lastname_Firstinitial_doc1 and W8Assgn_Lastname_Firstinitial_doc2, etc.
2. Then, click on Start Assignment near the top of the page.
3. Next, click on Upload File.
4. Click “Add another file” to repeat step 3 for the second document required to complete this Assignment.
5. Select Submit Assignment for review.

LEARNING RESOURCES
Required Readings
• Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2025). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines (5th ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International.
o Chapter 6, “Evidence Phase: Introduction to Evidence” (pp. 78–90)
o Chapter 7, “Evidence Phase: The Evidence Search and Screening” (pp. 92–115)
o Chapter 8, “Evidence Phase: Appraising the Evidence” (pp. 118–129)
o Appendix D, “Appraisal Tool Selection Algorithm” (pp. 224–227)Download Appendix D, “Appraisal Tool Selection Algorithm” (pp. 224–227)
o Appendix E1, “Pre-Appraised Evidence Appraisal Tool” (pp. 228–233)Download Appendix E1, “Pre-Appraised Evidence Appraisal Tool” (pp. 228–233)
o Appendix E2, “Single Study Evidence Appraisal Tool” (pp. 234–242)Download Appendix E2, “Single Study Evidence Appraisal Tool” (pp. 234–242)
o Appendix E3, “Anecdotal Evidence Appraisal Tool”, (pp. 243–247)Download Appendix E3, “Anecdotal Evidence Appraisal Tool”, (pp. 243–247)
o Appendix F, “Evidence Terminology and Considerations Guide”, (pp. 248–263)Download Appendix F, “Evidence Terminology and Considerations Guide”, (pp. 248–263)
o Appendix G2, “Individual Evidence Summary Tool” (pp. 264–270)Download Appendix G2, “Individual Evidence Summary Tool” (pp. 264–270)
Note: Be prepared to complete and submit Appendices E1, E2, E3, and G2 for your Assignments this week.
• Cancelliere, C., Cassidy, J. D., Ammendolia, C., & Côté, P. (2011). Figure 1. Flow diagram of literature search. In Are workplace health promotion programs effective at improving presenteeism in workers? A systematic review and best evidence synthesis of the literature.Links to an external site. BMC Public Health 11, Article 395. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-395
Note: This resource is seminal to the field.
Also Note: Review this example of the workflow process when conducting a literature search. You can use it as a model to guide your future literature searches.
• Walden University Library. (n.d.). Ask a librarianLinks to an external site.. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/ask
Note: Use this website to find answers to common questions or to contact a librarian directly.

• Walden University Library. (n.d.). Subject research: NursingLinks to an external site.. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/subject/nursing
Note: This database is a good starting point for nursing related searches.

• Walden University Quick Answers. (n.d.). How do I verify that my article is peer reviewed?Links to an external site. [Multimedia]. https://academicanswers.waldenu.edu/faq/72613
Required Media
• OASIS. (n.d.). Analyze and evaluate research articlesLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University. https://academics.waldenu.edu/library/analyze-evaluate-research-articles

• OASIS. (n.d.). Break a topic into keywordsLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University. https://academics.waldenu.edu/library/topic-into-keywords

• OASIS. (n.d.). Evaluate resourcesLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University. https://academics.waldenu.edu/library/evaluate-resources

• OASIS. Grading evidenceLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University. https://rise.articulate.com/share/–e-gVRMA_y8V2KffxxJAQNb_lswZ2zX

• OASIS. (n.d.). Locate, cite, and reference journal articlesLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University. https://academics.waldenu.edu/library/locate-cite-reference-articles
Optional Resources
• Johns Hopkins Nursing. (n.d.). Creating an EBP culture from ground zeroLinks to an external site. [Webinar]. https://www.ijhn-education.org/node/20178#group-tabs-node-course-default1
Note: This is a free webinar explaining evidence-based practice at the organizational level.

• Johns Hopkins Nursing. (n.d.). Mastering Appendix E: Research appraisal toolLinks to an external site. [Webinar]. https://www.ijhn-education.org/node/20003
Note: This is a free webinar explaining how to utilize Appendix E.

• Walden University Library. (n.d.). Evaluating resources: Primary and secondary sourcesLinks to an external site.. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/sources

Rubric
NURS_8002_Week8_Assignment_Rubric
NURS_8002_Week8_Assignment_Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDescribe the organizational type and gap in practice or practice change you selected and explain the goals of the search they conducted. 5 to >4.45 ptsExcellent 90%–100%The response accurately and clearly describes the organizational type and gap in practice or practice change they selected and accurately and clearly explains the goals of the search they conducted.
4.45 to >3.95 ptsGood 80%–89%The response adequately describes the organizational type and gap in practice or practice change they selected and accurately explains the goals of the search they conducted.
3.95 to >3.45 ptsFair 70%–79%The response inaccurately or vaguely describes the organizational type and gap in practice or practice change they selected and inaccurately or vaguely explains the goals of the search they conducted.
3.45 to >0 ptsPoor 0%–69%The response inaccurately and vaguely describes the organizational type and gap in practice or practice change they selected and inaccurately and vaguely explains the goals of the search they conducted, or it is missing. 5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDescribe your process of searching the evidence. Be specific and provide examples. Include the following: • Which database(s) did they select? Why did they choose them? • Which key words did they select? Why did you choose them? o Describe the limits and filters used to find the most accurate evidence. 10 to >8.9 ptsExcellent 90%–100%The response accurately and clearly describes their process of searching the evidence as explained in the criteria.
8.9 to >7.9 ptsGood 80%–89%The response adequately describes their process of searching the evidence as explained in the criteria.
7.9 to >6.9 ptsFair 70%–79%The response inaccurately or vaguely summarizes each of the articles selected. … OR … The response summarizes 0 ptsPoor 0%–69%The response inaccurately and vaguely summarizes each of the articles selected, or it is missing. 10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDescribe your process of appraising the evidence you identified. Be specific and provide examples. Include the following: • How many articles did you find? • Based on what criteria did you decide on the three recent (within the last five years), peer-reviewed articles that you selected? 20 to >17.8 ptsExcellent 90%–100%The response accurately and clearly describes their process of appraising the evidence they identified as explained in the criteria.
17.8 to >15.8 ptsGood 80%–89%The response adequately describes their process of appraising the evidence they identified as explained in the criteria.
15.8 to >13.8 ptsFair 70%–79%The response inaccurately or vaguely describes their process of appraising the evidence they identified as explained in the criteria.
13.8 to >0 ptsPoor 0%–69%The response inaccurately and vaguely describes their process of appraising the evidence they identified as explained in the criteria or it is missing. 20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeInclude copies of your completed Appendix G2, along with the Appendices E1, E2, or E3 that you completed as appropriate for each of the articles you selected. 30 to >26.7 ptsExcellent 90%–100%The response includes accurate and clear copies of their completed Appendix G2, along with the Appendices E1, E2, or E3 that you completed as appropriate for each of the articles they selected.
26.7 to >23.7 ptsGood 80%–89%The response includes adequate copies of their completed Appendix G2, along with the Appendices E1, E2, or E3 that you completed as appropriate for each of the articles they selected.
23.7 to >20.7 ptsFair 70%–79%The response includes inaccurate or vague copies of their completed Appendix G2, along with the Appendices E1, E2, or E3 that you completed as appropriate for each of the articles they selected.
20.7 to >0 ptsPoor 0%–69%The response includes inaccurate and vague copies of their completed Appendix G2, along with the Appendices E1, E2, or E3 that you completed as appropriate for each of the articles they selected. or it is missing. 30 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:
Paragraphs make clear points that support well-developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused—neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria. 5 to >4.45 ptsExcellent 90%–100%Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. 90% of the time. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.
4.45 to >3.95 ptsGood 80%–89%Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive.
3.95 to >3.45 ptsFair 70%–79%Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 70% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.
3.45 to >0 ptsPoor 0%–69%Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 4.45 ptsExcellent 90%–100%Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.
4.45 to >3.95 ptsGood 80%–89%Contains a few (1 or 2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
3.95 to >3.45 ptsFair 70%–79%Contains several (3 or 4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
3.45 to >0 ptsPoor 0%–69%Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding. 5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. 5 to >4.45 ptsExcellent 90%–100%Uses correct APA format with no errors.
4.45 to >3.95 ptsGood 80%–89%Contains a few (1 or 2) APA format errors.
3.95 to >3.45 ptsFair 70%–79%Contains several (3 or 4) APA format errors.
3.45 to >0 ptsPoor 0%–69%Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors. 5 pts

Total Points: 80

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