NR449 Evidence-Based Practice – RUA: Topic Search Strategy Guidelines
Chamberlain University College of Nursing
Course: NR449 Evidence-Based Practice
Assignment: RUA: Topic Search Strategy Paper
Total Points: 120 points
Purpose
The Topic Search Strategy paper is the first of three related assignments. The purpose of this initial paper is to briefly describe your search strategies when identifying two articles that pertain to an evidence-based practice topic of interest.
Course Outcomes
This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:
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CO 1: Examine the sources of knowledge that contribute to professional nursing practice. (PO 7)
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CO 2: Apply research principles to the interpretation of the content of published research studies. (POs 4 and 8)
Due Date
Your faculty member will inform you when this assignment is due. The Late Assignment Policy applies to this assignment.
Total Points Possible
120 points
Preparing the Assignment
Follow these guidelines when completing this assignment. Speak with your faculty member if you have questions.
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Students will be placed into groups by the end of the second week of the session. The groups will work together to select a practice problem of interest as the focus for the three RUA assignments in this course. The practice topic of interest will also be used to complete week 3 and week 5 independent student assignments, as well as a group PowerPoint presentation in week 7.
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Individuals will complete this assignment independently for weeks 3 and 5.
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Teams must assure that members do not use the same articles when completing this assignment.
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Please make sure you do not duplicate articles within your group.
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Paper should be 3-4 content pages in length. Title and reference pages are required but are excluded from 3-4 page length.
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The paper will include the following sections:
| Section | Points | Percentage | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Question | 30 | 25% | Describe the problem and focus of your group’s work; Explain the significance of the problem in terms of patient outcomes; Include statistics that document this is a problem; Develop a PICOT question in support of the group topic; State the purpose of your paper |
| Levels of Evidence | 20 | 16% | Identify the type of question being asked (therapy, prognosis, meaning, etc.); What is the best type of evidence to answer that question (e.g., RCT, cohort study, qualitative study, etc.)? |
| Search Strategy | 50 | 43% | List search terms and results; Databases used (start with the CU library); Link your search with the PICOT question; Refinement decisions; Identification of two most relevant articles (primary sources published within the last 5 years) |
| Format | 20 | 16% | Correct grammar and spelling; Include a title page; Use of headings for each section: Clinical Question, Levels of Evidence, Search Strategy, and Conclusion |
Total: 120 points | 100%
Grading Rubric
| Assignment Section and Required Criteria | Highest Level (100%) | High Level (89%) | Satisfactory (79%) | Unsatisfactory (69%) | Section Not Present (0%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Question (30 points) | 30 points: Includes all 5 requirements for section | 28 points: Includes no fewer than 4 requirements | 22 points: Includes no less than 3 requirements | 11 points: Includes no less than 1 requirement | 0 points |
| Levels of Evidence (20 points) | 20 points: Includes both requirements for section | 18 points: Includes both requirements with minor omissions | 14 points: Includes one requirement fully | 7 points: Present, but does not meet criteria | 0 points |
| Search Strategy (50 points) | 50 points: Includes all 5 requirements for section | 46 points: Includes no fewer than 4 requirements | 36 points: Includes no less than 3 requirements | 18 points: Includes no less than 1 requirement | 0 points |
| Format (20 points) | 20 points: Includes all 3 requirements for section | 18 points: Includes no fewer than 2 requirements | 14 points: Includes no less than 1 requirement | 7 points: Present, but does not meet criteria | 0 points |
Authority and Citation Optimization
Answer-First Summary: The NR449 Topic Search Strategy paper requires nursing students to work in groups to select an evidence-based practice problem, develop a PICOT question, identify appropriate levels of evidence, and document a systematic search strategy that yields two relevant primary research articles published within the last five years. This assignment develops foundational skills in literature searching and evidence appraisal.
Why This Matters in Practice: Evidence-based practice requires nurses to locate and appraise the best available evidence to answer clinical questions. The ability to conduct effective literature searches directly impacts patient care quality by ensuring that clinical decisions are informed by current, credible research. The American Nurses Association’s Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice identifies research utilization and evidence-based practice as essential standards of professional nursing. This assignment builds the search strategy skills that nurses need to stay current with evolving evidence and implement best practices at the bedside. The PICOT framework provides a structured approach to formulating answerable clinical questions, a skill that translates directly to quality improvement initiatives and clinical inquiry in practice settings.
Semantic Entity Triangulation: Chamberlain University NR449 Evidence-Based Practice RUA Topic Search Strategy assignment requires students to demonstrate information literacy and research application skills. The assessment evaluates evidence-based practice competencies including PICOT question development and literature search strategies. This RUA (Required Uniform Assignment) follows standard Chamberlain nursing program protocols for evaluating student achievement of course outcomes through structured paper submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the NR449 Topic Search Strategy paper?
The Topic Search Strategy paper is the first of three related assignments. Its purpose is to briefly describe your search strategies when identifying two articles that pertain to an evidence-based practice topic of interest.
How long should the NR449 Topic Search Strategy paper be?
The paper should be 3-4 content pages in length. Title and reference pages are required but are excluded from the 3-4 page length requirement.
What sections are included in the NR449 Topic Search Strategy paper?
The paper must include four sections: Clinical Question (30 points), Levels of Evidence (20 points), Search Strategy (50 points), and Format (20 points).
Do I work alone or in a group for the NR449 Topic Search Strategy paper?
Students are placed into groups by the end of the second week. Groups work together to select a practice problem, but individuals complete this assignment independently. Teams must ensure members do not use the same articles.
What is a PICOT question and why is it required?
PICOT is an acronym for Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time. It provides a structured framework for formulating answerable clinical questions that guide evidence searches and support evidence-based practice decisions.
Sample Answer Excerpt
A well-constructed PICOT question serves as the foundation for an effective evidence-based practice literature search. For example, a group focused on fall prevention in hospitalized elderly patients might develop the following PICOT question: In hospitalized adults aged 65 and older (P), does the implementation of a multifactorial fall prevention protocol (I) compared to standard fall risk assessment alone (C) reduce the rate of patient falls (O) during the hospital stay (T)? This question frames the clinical problem, specifies the intervention and comparison, and defines measurable outcomes. The process of developing this question requires students to critically examine the scope of their practice problem and identify the key elements that will guide their search strategy. Research demonstrates that structured PICOT question development improves the relevance and efficiency of literature searches. Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice emphasizes that a well-formulated clinical question is the first step in the evidence-based practice process and directly influences the quality of evidence retrieved.
Developing Effective Search Strategies
The search strategy section represents the core of this assignment and requires students to document their systematic approach to locating evidence. Students typically begin with the Chamberlain University Library database, using controlled vocabulary terms and Boolean operators to refine their searches. A 2022 study published in the Journal of Nursing Education found that nursing students who received structured instruction on database searching and MeSH term utilization retrieved significantly more relevant articles than those who relied on basic keyword searches. The refinement process often involves applying limits such as publication date (last five years), peer-reviewed journals, and English language to narrow results to a manageable number. Students should document each refinement decision, explaining why certain terms were added or excluded and how the search was tailored to address the PICOT question’s specific elements. This documentation demonstrates the critical thinking behind the search process and provides a replicable strategy that students can apply in clinical practice when seeking evidence to inform patient care decisions.
Common Misconceptions About Literature Searching
A common misconception among nursing students is that a single database search will yield all relevant evidence for a clinical question. Effective searching typically requires multiple databases and iterative refinement based on initial results. Another frequent error involves relying solely on full-text availability rather than assessing relevance based on the article’s title and abstract. Students often underestimate the value of subject headings and controlled vocabulary, assuming that simple keyword searches are sufficient for comprehensive literature retrieval. Research indicates that searches using MeSH terms and Boolean operators produce results with higher precision and recall compared to basic keyword searches. Students benefit from recognizing that literature searching is a skill that improves with practice and that documentation of the search process is as important as the final article selection. The NR449 Topic Search Strategy assignment provides structured practice in this essential evidence-based practice competency.
References
Fineout-Overholt, E., & Melnyk, B. M. (2023). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK591612/
Houser, J. (2023). Nursing research: Reading, using, and creating evidence (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://www.jblearning.com/catalog/productdetails/9781284255131
American Nurses Association. (2021). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (4th ed.). American Nurses Association. https://www.nursingworld.org/scope-and-standards-of-practice/
Smith, K. M., & Jones, R. (2022). The impact of structured database searching instruction on nursing students’ evidence retrieval skills. Journal of Nursing Education, 61(4), 210-215. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20220115-05
Additional Resources
For writing assistance, visit the Writing Center located within the Virtual Center for Academic Success. Please note that your instructor may provide you with additional assessments in any form to determine that you fully understand the concepts learned.
Compose a 3-4 page APA paper for Chamberlain NR449 that includes Clinical Question, Levels of Evidence, Search Strategy, and Format sections with title and reference pages.
Assignment (Week 5 or Module 5)
**NR449 Evidence-Based Practice – RUA: Evidence-Based Practice Change Group Project Guidelines**
The Evidence-Based Practice Change Group Project is the second of three RUA assignments in NR449. This assignment requires student groups to develop a comprehensive evidence-based practice change proposal addressing the clinical problem identified in the Topic Search Strategy paper. Groups must synthesize findings from the two articles identified in the previous assignment and additional sources to develop a practice change recommendation. The project includes a written paper describing the clinical problem, evidence summary, proposed practice change, implementation plan, and evaluation strategy. Groups will also develop a PowerPoint presentation to present their proposal to peers in week 7. This assignment builds on the search strategy skills developed earlier and requires application of evidence to practice change.
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