interest related to health services. You will complete a literature review on a specific
researchable practice problem that interests you. If you are not sure your topic is appropriate,
send a message to me for approval. A literature review for this assignment includes critique of
peer reviewed research studies (not editorials, blogs, popular magazines, or popular literature).
Peer reviewed research studies are usually published in academic journals or by organizations
such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC: www.cdc.gov) or the National
Institute of Health, etc. You want research studies published within the last five years or so.
This paper may be different from other papers you have written as it is not your standard
descriptive paper. For this assignment you are researching what is known (and not known)
about a practice problem, critiquing the peer reviewed research that has been done on the
topic, and indicating what research you think needs to be done in the future.
You will (1) identify and formulate a research question and hypothesis based on the practice
problem topic you selected related to health, (2) search and locate peer reviewed research
studies related to this topic using the library and appropriate databases (published within the
last five years or so), (3) analyze the information found in the selected peer reviewed studies,
and (4) synthesize new knowledge into a written literature review establishing a context for your
research question/hypothesis and the development of further research in this area.
Steps to identify two peer reviewed studies and complete the coding sheets :
1. Choose a topic related to a practice problem in health services in which you have an
interest. If you are unsure, email it to your faculty for approval
2. Formulate a research question and develop a hypothesis (Be specific, identifying the
potential independent and dependent variables).
3. Review the information in the Weekly Material on how to conduct a library search using
peer reviewed work. There are several tutorials. Then, access the library and search for peer
reviewed research studies (quantitative in design) that are related to the selected
topic/hypothesis. This does not have to be an exact match but should be related to your
topic in a significant way. The library contains several databases. Be sure you check the
option for peer reviewed work. You want the actual research studies, not editorials,
perspectives, information sheets, blogs, etc. Note the key words/search terms used and any
revisions required.
4. Find peer reviewed research studies, read the abstracts and skim the research studies to
determine if they correspond well to your topic AND research question, published within the
last five years or so.
5. Select at two (2) peer reviewed studies that meet the criteria.
6. Review the two studies and begin to sort and classify them using the coding sheet below
Coding Sheet:
Use each of the selected studies (quantitative in design) and complete the coding sheet below.
Only peer reviewed research studies will meet this criteria. If you do not use the proper source,
this will result in a zero (0). If you are unsure, check with your faculty for the course. Do not use
editorials, popular magazines, websites, blogs, reports, or information sheets, etc. The two
selected peer reviewed sources must be from an academic source and be a "research study"
(quantitative) published within the last five years or so. Do not use a report or summary of the
study-you want the actual study. If you are unsure, contact your faculty instructor for
clarification.
This means you should have two coding sheets, one for each study selected:
Title of the study
Author(s) and year
Journal name, volume, series, page numbers
Data source (Where did you find this work)
Purpose of the study
State the research
question/hypothesis and identify the
variables (independent, dependent
Identify how the author links the work
to an existing body of knowledge
(theoretical framework)
Note the type of study
True experimental, correlational, survey,
randomized controlled trial, longitudinal,
etc.)
Measurement of variables
What level of measurement is used for the
independent variable: Nominal, ordinal,
interval or ratio?
What level of measurement is used for the
dependent variable: Nominal, ordinal,
interval, or ratio?
Population/sample method used
Who is the population?
How was the sample defined?
What sampling strategy was used? (Be
specific-probability (what type?), nonprobability (what type?)
Data collection method
How was the data collected?
Who collected it?
What method was used (Survey,
observation, secondary data)?
Data Analysis
What statistical tests were used for
analysis?
What level of significance?
Major findings
Were the results statistically
significant?
What were the major findings?
Was the hypothesis supported?
Strengths and weaknesses of the study design
Strengths of the design
Threats to internal and external
validity
Ethical Considerations
Informed consent
IRB or other oversight approval
Summary/Recommendations given in the work
and next steps
Steps for completing the Literature Review paper assignment:
Use the APA format for the assignment (cover page, headers, reference page, etc.)
1. Introduction
Write an introductory paragraph for your review. This paragraph should include:
a. The topic, research question, and general hypothesis used for the search/
review and identify the variables
b. Discuss why you selected this topic, the search terms you used, any revisions
needed, how many articles you reviewed before you selected the two used
and why you selected these two for the assignment.
2. Body
The body of your literature review will include:
a. A brief summary of the main findings of the two research studies
selected
b. Any themes identified in the studies selected
c. Compare, contrast, and/or connect the studies, noting how they are similar,
different from one another including research methods employed, e.g.,
design, sampling strategies, data analysis, issues related to internal and
external validity, ethical considerations, etc. This should be one of the
major components, focusing on the research methods.
3. Summary
This is the last paragraph of your literature review. In this paragraph, point out how these
research studies address the research question and identify any gaps in knowledge, what
the review has taught you about the topic and its relevance to health care practice. Then
identify two specific researchable questions for further study based on the literature
review.
4. Coding Sheets
Attach the two coding sheets at the end of the paper and before the reference page
5. References
This is the last pages of your review. It serves as a listing of the two peer reviewed
studies you selected for the literature review in the APA format.