Synthesizing

This assignment will provide students an opportunity to enhance skills necessary to examine information from individual research studies and synthesize them into a concise statement about key elements of the literature review.

1. The completed Evaluation Table is the foundation for completing this synthesis

2. Use additional studies, meta-analyses, or synthesis of the literature as needed to develop introduction

3. Provide an introductory paragraph that includes the following:

1. Problem statement guiding inquiry (what is not known, gap)

2. Purpose statement guiding inquiry (goal, variables, and target population)

3. Relevance of inquiry to evidence based practice for APNs

4. For each item listed below (1-5) develop a separate paragraph that provides a concise statement of key findings across all 5 studies (5 paragraphs total):

1. Research designs and level of evidence across studies

2. Major sample characteristics

3. Outcome measurement for variables

4. Significant findings related to variables

5. Other important findings related to variables

5. Each paragraph in #4 should include the following

1. Synthesis of the facts/details across all 5 studies.

1. This should not be summary of individual studies but rather a discussion of what collectively the studies mean.

2. Each idea should be supported with citations from several studies

3. Provide info regarding the range of findings across studies

4. Provide info regarding similarities and differences across studies

2. Summary statements regarding the strengths and limitations of each area as it relates to your purpose statement.

3. Provide in-text citations from studies to document source of evidence.

4. Provide rationale to support your conclusions regarding strengths and limitations.

6. Conclusion

1. Summarize major synthesis findings

2. Implications for further development of project to address health issue

3. Discuss how gender, ethnicity, vulnerability, and other sociodemographic factors affect interpretation and application of research findings

7. Reference list