Introduction to the Literature Review

Empirical research is the foundation of scholarly research and
scholarly writing. An empirical article is defined as one that reports
actual results of a research study. An empirical article includes a
description of the study, an introduction, a research question, an
explanation of the study’s methodology, a presentation of the results
of the study, and a conclusion that discusses the results and suggests
topics for further study.

As you search the library for scholarly research, you should limit
your search to identify empirical articles. (You can use the
“Empirical Research Checklist” from DNP-801 to assist in
this determination.) After finding an empirical study, begin to assess
the validity of the conclusion by determining if the conclusion
answers the proposed research question and if the methodology is appropriate.

As you move forward in your doctoral journey, you will read research
papers that will require you to assess the validity of the studies in
question. To accomplish this, qualitative assessments about the
research must be made by comparing, contrasting, and synthesizing what
the research says.

In this assignment, you will continue to develop the skill of
writing, by reviewing 15 research articles associated with your chosen
topic and using the content to identify at least five major concepts
and subthemes related to your topic.

General Requirements:

Use the following information to ensure successful completion of
this assignment:

• Use the “Empirical Research Checklist” to assist in
  the determination of empirical articles.
• Use the
  “Research Article Chart” to provide a summary review of
  each component of your assignment.
• Doctoral learners are
  required to use APA style for their writing assignments. The APA
  Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center.
• This
  assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to
  beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations
  for successful completion.
• You are required to submit this
  assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the
  Student Success Center.

Directions:

Part 1: Selection of 15 Articles

Select 15 empirical articles related to your PICOT question. Use the
“Empirical Research Checklist” worksheet to ensure that each
article you select meets all of the established criteria. At least one
article must demonstrate a quantitative methodology.

Part 2: Research Article Chart

Using the articles acquired in Part 1, provide a summary review of
each component using the “Research Article Chart” template.

Part 3: Synthesis of Research Studies

Based upon your review of the 15 research articles, identify at
least five major concepts that relate to your project topic, and three
subthemes related to each concept.

Using the information from the completed “Research Article
Chart,” and the major concepts and subthemes you have identified,
write a 2,000-3,000 word paper that synthesizes the content of the 15
research studies.

Summarize each major concept and focus on providing a detailed
synthesis of the three identified subthemes that support that concept
by addressing the following.

1. Introduction of the identified subtheme
2. Summary of
   the research questions posed by the studies
3. Summary of the
   sample populations used
4. Summary of the limitations of the
   studies
5. Summary of the conclusion and recommendations for
   further research