NURS-FPX 4030 Assessment 2: Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources

Assessment Overview

We often assume that all published research is of equal quality, but the reality of medical literature is far more complex. Nurses must possess the skill to distinguish between high-quality, rigorous studies and those that lack validity or reliability. You will focus on evaluating the credibility of sources for this assessment. The ability to filter search results effectively is a primary skill for any baccalaureate-prepared nurse. Your goal is to select a clinical topic and identify specific, credible resources that could help solve a problem in that area.

You need to locate appropriate databases and scholarly articles for this assignment. We want you to demonstrate that you can navigate the library efficiently and apply specific criteria to judge the worth of a source. Consider why a peer-reviewed journal article from the last five years holds more weight in clinical decision-making than a general website or an older textbook. The resources you find here will likely support your work in future assessments where you propose an actual intervention.

Assignment Instructions

Please prepare a 2–4 page written report where you analyze the resources available for a specific clinical issue. You should address the following points:

• Select a Clinical Issue: Choose a specific topic relevant to your current practice or interest. It could be the same issue you plan to use for your future PICO(T) assignment. Examples include prevention of pressure ulcers, management of diabetes in outpatient settings, or strategies to reduce medication errors.
• Identify Databases and Search Strategies: detailed the specific databases you used to find information. Mention whether you used CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane Library, or others. Explain the keywords and filters you applied to narrow your results.
• Evaluate Authority and Credibility: Select 2–3 specific resources you found. Apply a standard evaluation method (like the CRAAP test: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose) to explain why these sources are trustworthy. discuss the credentials of the authors and the reputation of the journal.
• Relevance to Practice: Explain how the evidence from these sources could influence nursing practice. It is important to connect the research findings back to the actual care of patients or the improvement of a system.

Formatting and Submission Requirements

• Length: 2–4 pages, not including the title or reference pages.
• Format: Follow APA 7th Edition guidelines for the entire document.
• Font and Spacing: Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-spacing throughout.
• References: Include a minimum of 3 scholarly, peer-reviewed sources published within the last 5 years.

Grading Criteria (Rubric Highlights)

1. Resource Selection (30%): The selected databases and search strategies are appropriate for the topic. The student clearly identifies how they located the information.
2. Evaluation of Credibility (30%): The analysis of the sources is thorough. The student applies specific criteria to determine if the source is valid and reliable.
3. Application to Practice (20%): The report clearly connects the resources to the clinical issue. The potential impact on patient care is evident.
4. Writing and APA Style (20%): The paper follows academic writing standards. Citations and references are correctly formatted according to APA 7th Edition rules.

I utilized the CINAHL Complete and PubMed databases to locate information regarding the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). My search terms included “ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention,” “oral care protocols,” and “critical care nursing.” I applied filters to restrict results to peer-reviewed journals published in the English language between 2019 and 2024. The search yielded several hundred results, which I narrowed down by reviewing the abstracts for relevance to adult intensive care units. I prioritized systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials because they provide the highest level of evidence for clinical interventions.

 References

• Copeland, D. and Miller, K. (2022) ‘Trusting the evidence: Teaching literature evaluation skills to nursing students’, Journal of Nursing Education, 61(1), pp. 55–58. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20211103-12
• Hopp, L. and Rittenmeyer, L. (2021) Introduction to evidence-based practice: A practical guide for nursing. 2nd edn. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.
• Oermann, M.H. et al. (2021) ‘Quality of articles in predatory nursing journals’, Nursing Outlook, 69(1), pp. 99–106. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.07.001
• Wilson, A. et al. (2023) ‘Information literacy and evidence-based practice in nursing: A systematic review’, Nurse Education Today, 120, p. 105642. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105642