Succeeding in Literature Reviews and Research Project Plans for Nursing Students enables readers to prepare for, organise, carry out and successfully complete a research proposal and/ or literature review to demonstrate the graduate skills needed to be awarded a degree. It is therefore an essential book for all undergraduate pre-registration nursing students. The authors are experienced in teaching, supporting and supervising nursing students who are undertaking a research project/literature review and the writing style of the book reflects this. They recognise that this is likely to be the most demanding academic piece of work that students have to produce in becoming graduate nurses. Readers are encouraged to actively participate as they are guided through choosing a nursing topic, developing questions about it, accessing and critically reviewing research literature, considering ethical issues, proposing research where applicable, and writing up their literature review or research proposal. Case studies are used throughout the book helping to link theory to practice, and to show how vital research skills are for nurses to deliver clinically effective, evidence-based care. The authors also offer practical tips to help students focus on aims that they can realistically achieve, and how to avoid 'pitfalls' such as not backing up files or leaving 'writing up' until the last minute.
In the second edition of this invaluable book the authors have updated references and websites, and incorporated changes in response to the helpful feedback received. In doing so, they highlight the dynamic nature of nursing knowledge/skills and the need for lifelong learning. Like others in the Transforming Nursing Practice series this book addresses NMC Standards and Essential Skills Clusters to equip students for their responsibilities as registered nurses. In this respect it complements other books in the series, particularly: Understanding Research for Nursing Students, Evidence-based Practice in Nursing, Critical Thinking and Writing for Nursing Students and Clinical Judgement and Decision Making for Nursing Students. Dr Mooi Standing Series Editor

About the authors vi

Foreword vii

Acknowledgements viii

Introduction 1

Section 1 Getting started 7

1 Getting started on your final-year project 9

Section 2 Planning and preparing for your final-year project 27

2 Planning and undertaking a literature review or documentary analysis 29

3 Planning your research proposal or dissertation 48

Section 3 Using and critiquing research for your final-year project 63

4 Using and critiquing research methods: interviews and focus groups 65

5 Analysing qualitative data 85

6 Using and critiquing research methods: surveys and experimental designs 97

7 Analysing quantitative data and understanding basic statistics 120

8 Using and critiquing systematic reviews and meta-analyses 135

Section 4 Writing and finishing 153

9 Writing up your literature review and documentary analysis 155

10 Writing your research proposal and dissertation 167

Conclusion 182

References 188

Index 194

中国医科院医学信息研究所