1) Complete a search to identify three websites for tutorials to learn about
literature searches and explain which website was best for you.
The author discovered literature search tutorials created by faculty at New York University, University College Dublin, and Cambridge University Medical Library. The New York University Elmer Bobst Library website features a self-paced tutorial and refresher by the New York University College of Nursing librarian, Susan Kaplan Jacobs. The tutorial features three extensive modules with multiple subtopics: the beginner’s research guide, evidence-based nursing, and helpful tools. The University College Dublin Library website offers a brief literature review feature by Professor Diarmuid Stokes, along with a slideshow with audio that teaches students how to write a literature review and links to literature review textbooks. The Cambridge University Medical Library offers a Supporting literature searching: Searching the evidence in PubMed document that spans twenty-one pages and details best utilization of the PubMed database for medical students. The author found the New York University self-paced tutorial on reviewing literature to be the most well-designed and useful, as it is geared specifically towards nursing students and is affiliated with an esteemed nursing program.
– New York University Libraries: Nursing Resources: A Self-Paced Tutorial and Refresher https://guides.nyu.edu/c.php?g=276860&p=1848393
– University College Dublin (UCD) Literature Review: Introduction https://libguides.ucd.ie/litreview
– Cambridge University Supporting Literature Searching- Searching the Evidence in PubMed https://library.medschl.cam.ac.uk/files/2015/10/PubMed-Aug2015-.pdf
2) Quantitative
a. Discuss the purpose of the literature review in quantitative research.
A literature review is an organized written presentation of what the researcher discovers when reviewing literature; the literature consists of all written sources relevant to the chosen research topic (Grove, Burns, & Gray, 2013). In quantitative research studies, the review of literature guides development of the study and identifies knowledge gaps in the selected topic so that an attempt can be made to generate more knowledge if there is a paucity. The literature review process is similar for each quantitative research method.
b. Discuss the differences between research problems, purposes, objectives/aims, and questions in quantitative research.
A research problem includes significance, a background, and a problem statement, while the purpose is a clear and concise statement that details the researcher’s purpose for research along with objectives and questions to be fulfilled and answered: the purpose stems from the research problem. Different types of quantitative research methods yield different purposes. In descriptive studies, the purpose is to identify patterns in variables and to compare and contrast variables. In correlational studies, the purpose is to find a positive or negative correlation among study variables. In quasi-experimental studies, the purpose is to find the effect of an intervention or independent variable on designated dependent or outcome variables. Experimental studies seek to determine the effect of one or more independent variables on one or more dependent variables in a highly controlled setting (Grove et al., 2013).
c. Discuss the characteristics and function of a hypothesis in a quantitative research study.
A hypothesis serves as a starting point for research and seeks to explain a phenomenon or predict a relationship between two or more variables. It specifies the variables the researcher will manipulate or measure, identifies the population to be examined, and states the type of quantitative research method in use (Grove et al., 2013). Hypotheses are often drawn from existing theories or aim to extend on prior research; for example, the hypothesis that people who frequently experience high stress levels are more prone to contracting the common cold when they come in contact with the virus than their less-stressed counterparts (Cherry, 2019).
3) Qualitative
a) Discuss the purpose of the literature review in qualitative research.
The purpose of the literature review depends on the type of qualitative study that is being carried out. In phenomenology, some researchers refrain from reviewing literature prior to conducting the research in case it affects their ability to be objective and approach the topic with openness. In grounded theory studies, the researcher executes a brief review of what studies have already been conducted- the purpose of the literature review here is to provide a beginning point. In historical research, the purpose is to help define study questions and choose relevant sources. Ethnographic and exploratory descriptive research studies have a similar purpose when it comes to literature review as quantitative methods (Grove et al, 2013).
b. Discuss the differences between research problems, purposes, and research questions/aims in qualitative research.
In qualitative research, problems identify areas that need to be investigated, with each type of qualitative research method having its own purpose and questions that the researcher aims to answer through their work. In phenomenological studies, the purpose is to understand the phenomenon or human experience at hand; in grounded theory research, the purpose indicates the research focus to be developed from the theory; in ethnographic research, the purpose is to examine, describe, analyze, and interpret findings from studying specific cultures; in exploratory-descriptive research, the purpose is to describe issues that are unique and for which there is limited knowledge and prior research; and for historical research, the purpose is to describe a historical topic, be it an individual person or an event that occurred (Grove et al, 2019).
4) Read the following article: Muz, G., & Taşcı, S. (2017). Effect of aromatherapy via inhalation on the sleep quality and fatigue level in people undergoing hemodialysis.
a) Identify the type of research (quantitative or qualitative), problem, purpose, objective/aim, and hypothesis.
Muz and Taşcı,(2017) conducted quantitative research using a randomized-controlled experimental design. The problem the researchers focused on was the experience of sleep disorders and fatigue amongst hemodialysis patients, a common ailment amongst this population. The study’s purpose was to study the effect of aromatherapy via inhalation on the sleep quality and fatigue level in people undergoing hemodialysis using sweet orange and lavender oil. The objective was to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy by having the experimental group (n=27) inhale the essential oils for two minutes prior to sleep for one month and compare them with the control group (n=35), who did not receive essential oils to inhale before they slept. Muz and Taşcı,(2017) hypothesized that hemodialysis patients who inhaled sweet orange and lavender oils for two minutes before bed for a month would experience an increase in sleep quality and decrease in fatigue level.
References
Cherry, K. (2019). Forming a good hypothesis for scientific research. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-hypothesis-2795239.
Grove, S.K., Burns, N., & Gray, J. (2012). The practice of nursing research: appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (7th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier.
Muz, G., & Taşcı, S. (2017). Effect of aromatherapy via inhalation on the sleep quality and fatigue level in people undergoing hemodialysis. Applied Nursing Research, 3728-35. doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2017.07.004.
