Help-how to do Literary Review

Agnus · May 14, 2003

try CINAHL.

When we do a literature search we very often discover there is not a lot on the subject. This is not an indication of a poor search. If you go through CINAHL thoroughly and find next to nothing then it is reasonable to assume there is next to nothing and this should be mentioned by the person writing up the literature review.

Identifying gaps in the literature on a subject are part of the review process.

Your review should extend back at least 10 years. However, if there is limited info you may need to go further back.

Since NCLEX sucess is a time sensitive subject. Having to go back more than 10 (even 5 on this subject) should be identified as a gap.

Agnus · May 14, 2003

Ask if she wants to know since the inception of the ADN program or how far she wants to go back.

You can get to CINAHL through your school's library computer system. http://cinahl.com

I should probably explain. That CINAHL is an index to literature specific to nursing. it covers somthing like 800+ journals and > 215,000 other records.

gwenith, BSN, RN · May 14, 2003

Try CINAHL but also go throuth the thesaurus and "explode" the topic - you probably have already tried different combiations permutations of the words.

Another ressource could be goverment records - try the registration boards - quite a few should be online.

Hope this helps.

dosamigos76, RN · May 14, 2003

Agnus and Gwenith both-Thank you! You both have great informative answers! I was at a loss, but now you both have given me some direction. Research-at least as little as I know about it- is fun! Yeah, I'm sick lol.

Thank you both so very much.

Cheryl

dosamigos76, RN · May 14, 2003

Okay, I have a question. I am to provide her a list of articles, do I just copy and paste the whole info provided by Cinahl? What do you think? PS-I'm not in the Nursing Program yet, just finishing my prerequisites this summer........so this is quite a learning experience for me, and an honor. I don't want to appear totally foolish here.

Thanks again!

llg, PhD, RN · May 14, 2003

While a CINAHL search is prbably the best place to start, you should probably dig deeper. CINAHL does NOT include books or book chapters. Also, and perhaps more relevant with this subject matter, it doesn't include everything in the realm of conference procedings, organizational reports, etc.

Too often, students and other beginners just do a quick search of a computerized database of titles and/or major subject heads -- thereby only skimming the surface. For example, someone may have written an entire book on the topic and it would never show up on a CINAHL search.

One of the easiest ways to start digging deeper is to actually look at some of the best articles you find through a search such as CINAHL -- and look at the references used by that author. Do that with several different, recent articles and you start to develop a deeper list of the relevant literature.

You should also to a search specific to books, conference procedings, etc. Your librarian should be able to help you access the relevant databases.

Finally, you should ask the faculty member how deep he/she wants you to go. She might be satisfied with a simple CINAHL search, but she might want a whole lot more. Also, as he/she is probably already familiar with the topic, he/she may be able to point you in the right direction to specific websites, books, etc. to start digging.

Good luck!

llg

dosamigos76, RN · May 14, 2003

llg,

Thanks! I will take your advice as well as those that have been offered. This is a great learning (and frustrating) experience for me.

Cheryl

purplemania, BSN, RN · May 14, 2003

State Boards usually make public this information (Texas does). Check out the various websites. (bne.state.tx.us) and look for statistics.

Agnus · May 15, 2003

Near the end of my ADN program our class took an exam put out by the National League for Nursing (NLN). It was based an the NCLEX and its sole purpose was to predict our probable sucess on the NCLEX.

You might try checking with the NLN

dosamigos76, RN · May 15, 2003

Thanks. Apparently the information she wants is on ADN programs and what they do to ensure success on the NCLEX. I've not found much info on that particular line of thought. Found lots of predictors of what kinds of students are most likely to succeed and other information. I'll keep looking tomorrow.....I really appreciate all of your all's suggestions and comments. You are an awesome bunch!

Cheryl

Home Health Columnist / Guide · May 15, 2003

Check out these resources from Online Journal of Issues in Nursing:

PLUMBING THE DEPTHS: USING THE INVISIBLE WEB

Barbara F. Schloman, PhD, AHIP (April 22, 2002)

http://nursingworld.org/ojin/infocol/info_8.htm

NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK?

Finding health information on the Web

by Barbara F. Schloman (Aug. 19, 1999)

http://nursingworld.org/ojin/infocol/info_2.htm

OJIN: Information Resources Column

http://nursingworld.org/ojin/infocol/infotoc.htm