EBP Project Part III: Project Paper (75 points)
Project Paper Outline
This paper is to be in 7th edition APA format. The MUSM Nursing LibGuide (https://libguides.mnstate.edu/c.php?g=183187&p=1207686) contains helpful information on APA formatting as well as a sample student paper. Consider using the section titles as headings in your paper – information on APA Heading levels is also available in the Nursing LibGuide.
(Section One)
Title
· Clear, concise title with inclusion of research variables –the title should describe what the paper is about in 12 words or less.
· The title should appear on both the title page and at the top of the first page of the body of the paper. Again, please refer to the link above for guidance on formatting.
· Introduction (remember, the introduction should not have a heading in the paper)
· Paragraph 1: Introduce the clinical problem and provide background information and theoretical underpinnings to provide context and rationale for the project (include at least three scholarly/credible sources – these are the primary sources). Discuss significance of problem to nursing.
· Paragraph 2: Provide the overall purpose for the project. Define PICOT and how it is relevant to EBP and nursing.
Provide your clinical question in the PICO(T) format. Identify search strategies, including key words, databases used, and limitations you placed on the search (time, publication date, type of study, etc.) to gather the evidence to answer your PICOT question.
(Section Two)
Presentation of the Evidence
· One paragraph dedicated to each article that has been approved by the instructor on the EBP Fact Table.
· The lead sentence in each paragraph should introduce the article by Author (20XX), thereby eliminating the need for additional in-text citation in the paragraph.
· Provide a concise summary of the studies you selected to answer your PICOT question, which includes the purpose, study design, findings, and conclusions. Titles of the studies are not required; simply provide the in-text citations for the authors per APA format. Refer to a sample APA paper for guidance.
· Include a reference to the level of evidence based on the pyramid of evidence (figure 1-3 on page 16) and provide an explanation of its significance to the project.
(Section Three)
Critique of the Evidence
This is your chance to make sense of the information from the studies for your reader.
· Provide a synthesis of the evidence, comparing and contrasting the strengths and limitations of critique “bones” (study design, sample, data collection, ethical considerations, etc.) and their applicability to answer the clinical question. You already summarized each article in section two; now you will analyze the critical bones of the three articles to provide a conclusion of sorts.
· One paragraph for at least three critique “bones” introducing the paragraph in a manner such as, “The articles had similar/variety of study designs…”. For example, one paragraph dedicated to comparing/contrasting study designs, another to data collection tools, and still another dedicated to ethical considerations (informed consent/IRB approval).
· Provide a paragraph focused on cumulative findings from the three studies.
(Section Four)
Implications for Practice
· Discuss the significance of the cumulative findings on nursing practice, identifying potential practice changes if warranted.
· Discuss change theory (chapter 16) and the challenges to integrate best evidence considering clinician expertise and patient preference/values (the definition of EBP in chapter 1).
· Discuss issues regarding resource utilization/management relevant to practice change.
· Discuss how a practice change would be evaluated best.
· Discuss how a specific EBP model (such as Iowa, Star, Rogers, etc) might be used to implement your intervention into practice; if so, what barriers will need to be addressed.
· Review your textbook and other module resources to assist you in fulfilling these criteria.
(Section Five)
Conclusion
· Provide a single paragraph summary of how the EBP process was used to accomplish the objectives of the project.
Additional issues to consider:
· Tone and terminology should be appropriate for a general audience of healthcare professionals.
· Refrain from reference to self in this paper; present content objectively.
· Strive toward clear, precise and concise writing. Avoid redundant repetition of content.
· APA guidelines (student) must be followed. Running head not needed.
· Only level 1 APA headings (center-bold) are needed for section headings for this paper.
