Developing a well-structured research question is a crucial step in the evidence-based practice (EBP) process. In this assignment, we will select a practice problem of interest and formulate a PICOT statement to guide our research. This PICOT statement will serve as the framework for our capstone project, which is the final course requirement in the RN-BSN program of study. Additionally, we will conduct a literature search to identify relevant research articles related to our practice problem.
First, let’s determine our practice problem of interest. We will start by focusing on the patient and identifying clinical problems or issues that arise from clinical care. It is important to choose a problem that is significant and has an impact on patient outcomes or quality of care. For example, a practice problem of interest could be the effect of nurse-led education on medication adherence in patients with diabetes.
To formulate our PICOT statement, we will use the PICOT format, which stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time. Our PICOT statement should be specific and concise, allowing us to clearly define the focus of our research. In the given example, our PICOT statement might be:
Population: Patients with diabetes
Intervention: Nurse-led education
Comparison: Standard care or no education
Outcome: Medication adherence
Time: Within a specified time frame (e.g., 6 months)
Next, we will conduct a literature search to locate research articles that are relevant to our practice problem. It is important to include both quantitative and qualitative peer-reviewed research articles to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The use of both types of research designs will provide a balanced view of the evidence. It is suggested to select six peer-reviewed research articles that will be used as reference sources throughout the next five weeks.
When conducting the literature search, it is crucial to use credible sources and tailor the search terms to narrow or broaden the topic. For example, if our practice problem is diabetes and pediatric dialysis, we can remove the words “qualitative” and “quantitative” and include specific terms related to our topic, such as “diabetes management in pediatric patients undergoing dialysis.” This will help refine the search results and ensure we find the most relevant articles.
Once we have selected the six research articles, we will create a reference list in which the articles are listed. Beneath each reference, we will include the article’s abstract. The abstract provides a brief summary of the article, highlighting the key aspects of the study. Reviewing the abstracts will help us assess the relevance and quality of the articles for our research.
This assignment should follow the guidelines specified in the APA Style Guide. This includes formatting the title page correctly and ensuring proper citation and referencing throughout the assignment. An abstract is not required for this assignment.
It is recommended to review the rubric provided for this assignment to understand the expectations for successful completion. This will help in planning and organizing the assignment effectively. While this assignment does not need to be submitted to Turnitin, it is important to ensure it meets the required academic standards and is free from plagiarism.
In summary, the first step of the EBP process is to develop a focused research question derived from a nursing practice problem of interest. This involves identifying the clinical issues, formulating a concise and specific PICOT statement, and conducting a comprehensive literature search to locate relevant research articles. By following these steps, we can lay the foundation for our capstone project and gather the necessary evidence to support our practice problem.
