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Summarizing and synthesizing research

As you saw in Assignment 1, when conducting a literature review, you first search the evidence, and next you appraise it. Then, you are ready to summarize the evidence that you uncovered, and finally, you can synthesize it.

This Assignment is a continuation of Assignment 1, in which you used the Walden Library to conduct a literature review and appraised your results to select the highest quality and most appropriate and significant evidence. Now, for Assignment 2, you will take the recent (within the last 5 years), peer-reviewed articles you selected and write brief summaries of each of them. You will then write a synthesis of all the articles.

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. 

WEEKLY RESOURCES

Learning Resources

Required Readings

• Dang, D., Dearholt, S. L., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines (4th ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International.
  • Chapter 5, “Searching for Evidence” (pp. 99–120)
  • Chapter 6, “Evidence Appraisal: Research” (pp. 129–162)
  • Chapter 7, “Evidence Appraisal: Nonresearch” (pp. 163–188)
  • Appendix D, “Hierarchy of Evidence Guide” (pp. 295–296)
  • Appendix E, “Research Evidence Appraisal Tool” (pp. 297–306)Download Appendix E, “Research Evidence Appraisal Tool” (pp. 297–306)
  • Appendix F, “Nonresearch Evidence Appraisal Tool” (pp. 307–314)Download Appendix F, “Nonresearch Evidence Appraisal Tool” (pp. 307–314)
  • Appendix G, “Individual Evidence Summary Tool” (pp. 315–316)Download Appendix G, “Individual Evidence Summary Tool” (pp. 315–316)
  • Appendix H, “Synthesis and Recommendations Tool” (pp. 319–323)Download Appendix H, “Synthesis and Recommendations Tool” (pp. 319–323)
    Note: Be prepared to complete and submit Appendices E, F, and G for Assignment 1 and Appendix H for Assignment 2 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 literatureLinks 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 

Examples of Synthesis Resources

Note: The resources below are good examples of the synthesis of literature. Review each resource as a model to emulate when you synthesize literature.

• Armstrong, M., Walters, K., Davies, N., Nimmons, D., Pigott, J., Read, J., & Schrag, A. (2024). Intervention components in the self-management of Parkinson’s: A mixed-methods synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidenceLinks to an external site.. BMC Health Services Research, 24, Article 92. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10436-4Links to an external site.
• Boogaard, H., Atkinson, R. W., Brook, J. R., Chang, H. H., Hoek, G., Hoffmann, B., Sagiv, S. K., Samoli, E., Smargiassi, A., Szpiro, A. A., Vienneau, D., Weuve, J., Lurmann, F. W., & Forastiere, F. (2023). Evidence synthesis of observational studies in environmental health: Lessons learned from a systematic review on traffic-related air pollutionLinks to an external site.. Environmental Health Perspectives, 131(11), Article 115002. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11532
• Gearon, E., O’Connor, D., Wallis, J., Han, J. X., Shepperd, S., Makela, P., Disher, G., & Buchbinder, R. (2021). Factors influencing the implementation of early discharge hospital at home and admission avoidance hospital at home: A qualitative evidence synthesisLinks to an external site.. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021(3), Article CD014765. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD014765
• Martins-Filho, P. R., Tanajura, D. M., & Vecina-Neto, G. (2023). Multi-country monkeypox outbreak: A quantitative evidence synthesis on clinical characteristics, potential transmission routes, and risk factorsLinks to an external site.. European Journal of Internal Medicine, 107, 102–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2022.09.013
• Sebastião, B. F., Hortelão, R. M., Granadas, S. S., Faria, J. M., Pinto, J. R., & Henriques, H. R. (2023). Air quality self-management in asthmatic patients with COPD: An integrative review for developing nursing interventions to prevent exacerbationsLinks to an external site.. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 11(1), 46–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2023.12.003

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
• OASIS. (n.d.). Paraphrase and summarize informationLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University. https://academics.waldenu.edu/writing/paraphrase-summarize
• OASIS. (n.d.). SummaryLinks to an external site. [Multimedia]. Walden University. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/evidence/summary
• OASIS. (n.d.). SynthesisLinks to an external site. [Multimedia]. Walden University. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/evidence/synthesis

Optional Resources

• Cochrane Library. (n.d.). Cochrane database of systematic reviewsLinks to an external site.. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/about-cdsr 
  Note: The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews is the leading database for systematic reviews in healthcare. The reviews are good examples of synthesis, which are graded “Level 1” according to the Johns Hopkins level of evidence.
• 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 ELinks to an external site. | Research appraisal tool [Webinar]. https://www.ijhn-education.org/node/20003 
  Note: This is a free webinar explaining how to use Appendix E.
• Walden University Library. (n.d.). Evaluating resources: Primary & secondary sourcesLinks to an external site.. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating/sources

PreviousNext

 To prepare:

• Review the Learning Resources for this week, which focus on how to summarize and synthesize literature search results.
• Review Appendix H in the course textbook located in the Learning Resources for this week, which you will be required to complete and submit as part of this Assignment.
• Refer to your Assignment 1 submission and prepare to write a summary of each of the three articles you selected.
• Refer to your Assignment 1 submission and prepare to write a synthesis of the three articles you selected.
  Note: For this Assignment, you must complete Appendix H. You will submit your completed Appendix H along with your 2- to 3-page paper.

Note: 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: 

• Using a scholarly voice, summarize each of the three articles you selected.
• Using a scholarly voice, synthesize the three articles you selected.
• Include a copy of your completed Appendix H.
  Note: You will submit your completed Appendix H along with your 2- to 3-page paper. Save copies of your completed Appendix H in Microsoft Word format. You will submit a total of two documents.

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 5

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 two documents as W5Assgn2_Lastname_Firstinitial_doc1 and W5Assgn2_Lastname_Firstinitial_doc2.
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.