A nursing literature review gives an overview of the previous research work on a given topic that critically classifies, evaluates and compares published material on it. It helps in placing research and scholarly literature about a topic into context.

The purpose of writing a nursing literature review is to show your readers that you have studied and understood the main published work on the particular subject or question in the field. It is not a mere description of published work by other authors but a critical discussion that shows an insight into different theories, arguments, and approaches.

Defining the Nursing Literature Review Assignment Research Question

A central research question should guide your literature review. It should not be a simple collection of loosely related studies on a topic. It instead represents a background and research developments relating to the specific research question that you analyse and interprets in a synthesized manner.

When developing your research question, it is essential to do the following:

• Limit the scope of your research question for it to be manageable. It should not be too wide or too narrow

• Note the terms relating to your question and start by writing them down. They will be useful for subsequent searches.

Choose the Right Nursing Literature Review Assignment Structure

The structure of your nursing largely depends on the research area or thesis. The essential thing is to group the varying opinions together by different writers, compare and contrast them. You should avoid describing a statement by one writer then proceed to provide a general overview by second writer and others. Let the topic areas, questions with varying theories and approaches or controversial issues to dictate the topic areas. Discuss what different literature argues within every section. Remember to link this discussion to your purpose.

Writing the Nursing Literature Review

Write in a formal language in an academic style. Let your writing to be in a clear and concise language. You should avoid writing in a personal Language and using colloquialisms. Always write objectively and respect the opinions by other people. A literature review is not the point to make strong personal opinions and to use emotive language. Use description such as ‘inconsistence’ or lacking in certain areas rather that use strong words that may hurt some people.

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Designing your arguments

A proper literature review should have a clear line of argument. It is essential to write down notes and comments when reading. Your work should have a short, clear introduction giving an outline of the review including the main topics and order of arguments.

Ensure that your arguments and evidence you uncover in your reading have a clear link. Write a summary when ending each section.

Sections of A Nursing Literature Review

Introduction

Defines the general topic, area or issue of concern in 1-2 pages. Point out the trends on the published research on the area of your interest and reasons for reviewing the literature on your topic.

Body

Presents information from your sources. You can use one of the following methods:

Chronological:The order in which you conducted research

Trends: Presents change sin interpretation of data over time

By publication: groups sources by area/field or type of research

Methodological: studies the way of conducting research

Your body should be 4-6 pages.

Conclusion

A summary of the main parts of your important studies focusing mostly on your position. Evaluate your current position on the topic. This might be your place to point out flaws you found in the research, theories or findings.

For the consistent flow of your literature review, it is important to use linking words. You can group authors with similar opinions, using linking words such as also, also, similarly or again. For disagreement, use linkers such as nevertheless, however, on other-other hand or conversely.

The studies you perform for your literate review should be several and comprehensive but the number and period if covers depend on the depth of your assignment.