NUR 440 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
The world of professional nursing practice and health policy is ever-evolving to meet the new dynamics of care needs in every setting. As a registered nurse, you
are accountable and responsible for making decisions that are consistent with safe, competent, and ethical practice on a daily basis. You also face a variety of
complex issues that impact the delivery of your nursing care.
A professional practice issue is any issue or situation that either compromises client care/service by placing a client at risk, or affects a nurse’s ability to provide
care/service consistent with standards and guidelines, and agency or organization policies or procedures.
For this final project, you will develop an integrative review of literature about a clinical problem or issue of your choosing encountered in nursing practice. The
purpose of an integrative review of literature assignment is to assist in preparing a scholarly paper that systematically collects, classifies, and analyzes a body of
research evidence about a clinical topic in order to make evidence-based practice recommendations for a practice change.
The project is divided into four milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final
submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules One, Two, Four, and Five. The final product will be submitted in Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Assess diverse ways of knowing in nursing for their appropriateness in conducting nursing research and evidence-based nursing practice
Critique relevant primary research sources for their potential to provide evidence-based solutions to clinical nursing problems
Employ principles of ethical conduct of research in seeking evidence-based resources that support professional nursing practice changes
Propose evidence-based recommendations for practice changes that address clinical nursing problems for improving quality of care
Prompt
Choose a clinical problem or issue, with your instructor’s approval, that might be encountered in nursing practice. For this assessment, prepare a scholarly
integrative review of the literature that will support a recommendation for a practice change to solve or improve the identified clinical problem or issue. To cover
the appropriate range of the research, you should search for and retrieve six current and relevant nursing research studies from primary sources that are relevant
to your clinical topic of interest (these should be the articles from your annotated bibliography). Follow the assignment guidelines below to prepare a scholarly
integrative review of the research literature you retrieved.
Specifically, your integrative review of the literature should include the following critical elements:
I. Introduction
A. What is the purpose of the integrative review?
B. Clearly articulate the topic of interest, problem statement, and the research question being studied.
C. What variables of interest (such as concepts, target population, setting, interventions, etc.) will be used to guide the review of literature?
D. Discuss the background and significance of the problem to nursing. Be sure to substantiate your claims with specific examples from your research.
II. Literature Search Methods
A. Identify keywords, subject headings, and combinations used in the initial search.
B. Which databases were searched?
C. State the inclusion/exclusion criteria for the sample of research reports. In other words, how did you make decisions to narrow the search and focus
the literature review? How was the final sample of research reports determined?
III. Data Analysis and Critical Appraisal
A. Analyze the quality of each study. In other words, is the problem well formulated and the purpose of the study clear? Is the study approach well
designed and executed? Does the study demonstrate understanding of related studies? Do the findings advance knowledge?
B. Note each study’s strengths and limitations.
C. Identify gaps in the literature and reflect on why these may exist.
D. Identify similarities and inconsistencies across the studies.
IV. Synthesis, Interpretation and Presentation of Results
A. Develop an evidence table of your results that addresses the following criteria for each study: report citation, design, method, sample, data collection,
data analysis, validity, and reliability of the findings. This table should appear in the Appendix of your paper.
B. Identify major trends or patterns in the research reviewed.
C. Can you make generalizations across the studies? Why or why not?
D. What conclusions can you draw? Be sure to use a logical chain of evidence to support them.
E. Provide a scholarly summary of the research reviewed that describes the “state of the science” presented by the research reports.
F. Make practice recommendations based on the research reviewed.
V. Conclusions
A. Identify the limitations of the literature review.
B. Discuss the relevance of the results of your literature review to clinical practice.
C. Discuss implications of the recommended practice change on future nursing practice and research.
VI. Abstract: Include an abstract at the beginning of your paper that summarizes each of the following elements:
A. Aims and objectives
B. Background
C. Methods
D. Results
E. Conclusions
F. Relevance to clinical practice
VII. Appendix: Provide an appendix at the end of your paper that includes the following elements:
G. Search method flow chart
H. The table of evidence that you developed in Step IV.A
Milestones
Milestone One: Topic Proposal
In Module One, you will submit your topic proposal for instructor approval. You will briefly explain your interest and what you hope to gain through a review of
the literature. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: PICO(T) Question
In Module Two, you will submit your PICO(T) question, which will guide your research and review of the literature. This milestone will be graded with the
Milestone Two Rubric.
Milestone Three: Annotated Bibliography
In Module Four, you will submit an annotated bibliography to help gather resources for your final project. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone
Three Rubric.
Milestone Four: Evidence Table
In Module Five, you will submit an evidence table to organize your resources and as part of your final project. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone
Four Rubric.
Final Submission: Integrative Review of the Literature
In Module Seven, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should
reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.
Deliverables
Milestone Deliverable Module Due Grading
One Topic Proposal One Graded separately; Milestone One Rubric
Two PICO(T) Question Two Graded separately; Milestone Two Rubric
Three Annotated Bibliography Four Graded separately; Milestone Three Rubric
Four Evidence Table Five Graded separately; Milestone Four Rubric
Final Submission: Integrative Review of the
Literature
Seven Graded separately; Final Project Rubric
Final Project Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your paper should be a maximum of 12 pages, exclusive of the title page, abstract, references, and appendices. Your paper should be
formatted with one-inch margins and 12-point Times New Roman font, and all citations must appear in proper APA format.
Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Introduction: Purpose Meets “Proficient” criteria and
description is in depth and
includes scholarly detail
Accurately describes the purpose
of the integrative review
Describes the purpose of the
integrative review, but with gaps
in accuracy
Does not describe the purpose of
the integrative review
4.8
Introduction: Articulate Meets “Proficient” criteria and
uses scholarly, industry language
to demonstrate expertise
Clearly articulates topic of
interest, problem statement, and
research question
Articulates topic of interest,
problem statement, or research
question, but with gaps in clarity
or detail
Does not articulate topic of
interest, problem statement, and
research question
4.8
Introduction: Variables Meets “Proficient” criteria and
variables identified demonstrate
keen insight into the literature
review process
Comprehensively identifies
variables of interest used to
guide the review of literature
Identifies variables of interest
used to guide the review of
literature, but identification is
not comprehensive
Does not identify variables of
interest used to guide the review
of literature
4.8
Introduction:
Background and
Significance
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
makes nuanced connections
between concepts
Discusses the background and
significance of the problem to
nursing, and substantiates claims
with specific examples from
research
Discusses the background and
significance of the problem to
nursing, but does not
substantiate claims with specific
examples from research
Does not discuss the background
and significance of the problem
to nursing
4.8
Literature Search
Methods: Keywords
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates keen insight into
scholarly search methods
Accurately identifies keywords,
subject headings, and
combinations used in the initial
search
Identifies keywords, subject
headings, or combinations used
in the initial search, but with gaps
in accuracy or detail
Does not identify keywords,
subject headings, and
combinations used in the initial
search
4.3
Literature Search
Methods: Databases
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
databases identified
demonstrate keen insight into
the literature review process
Identifies databases appropriate
to the issue that were used in the
initial search
Identifies databases that were
used in the initial search, but
databases are not appropriate to
the issue
Does not identify databases that
were used in the initial search
4.3
Literature Search
Methods:
Inclusion/Exclusion
Criteria
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
description is in depth and
includes scholarly detail
Describes inclusion and exclusion
criteria appropriate to the issue
for the sample of research
reports
Describes inclusion and exclusion
criteria for the sample of
research reports, but criteria are
not appropriate to the issue
Does not describe inclusion and
exclusion criteria for the sample
of research reports
4.8
Analysis and Appraisal:
Quality
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
analysis is exceptionally well
informed and well supported
Accurately analyzes the quality of
each study
Analyzes study quality, but with
gaps in accuracy or detail
Does not analyze the quality of
each study
4.3
Analysis and Appraisal:
Strengths and
Limitations
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates novel, scholarly
insight into research study
characteristics
Accurately identifies each study’s
strengths and limitations
Identifies study strengths and
limitations, but with gaps in
accuracy or detail
Does not identify each study’s
strengths and limitations
4.3
Analysis and Appraisal:
Gaps
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
draws nuanced connections
between concepts
Accurately identifies gaps in
literature and reflects on why
they may exist
Inaccurately identifies gaps in
literature, or does not reflect on
why they may exist
Does not identify gaps in
literature
4.3
Analysis and Appraisal:
Similarities and
Inconsistencies
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates novel, scholarly
insight into research study
characteristics
Accurately identifies similarities
and differences across the
studies
Identifies similarities or
differences across the studies,
but with gaps in accuracy or
detail
Does not identify similarities and
differences across the studies
4.3
Results: Evidence Table Meets “Proficient” criteria and
presentation of data is
exceptionally clear and logical
Develops a comprehensive
evidence table
Develops an evidence table, but
with gaps in detail
Does not develop an evidence
table
4.8
Results: Major Trends Meets “Proficient” criteria and
draws nuanced connections
between concepts
Accurately identifies major
trends or patterns in the research
Identifies trends or patterns in
the research, but with gaps in
accuracy
Does not identify trends or
patterns in the research
4.3
Results:
Generalizations
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
draws nuanced connections
between concepts
Accurately determines if
generalizations can be made
across studies, and justifies
position
Inaccurately determines if
generalizations can be made
across studies, or does not justify
position
Does not determine if
generalizations can be made
across studies
3.5
Results: Conclusions Meets “Proficient” criteria and
draws nuanced connections
between concepts
Explains appropriate conclusions
that can be drawn, and uses a
logical chain of evidence to
support them
Explains conclusions that can be
drawn, but they are not
appropriate, or does not use a
logical chain of evidence to
support them
Does not explain conclusions that
can be drawn
4.8
Results: Summary Meets “Proficient” criteria and
articulation is exceptionally clear
and logical
Provides a scholarly summary of
the research that describes the
“state of the science” presented
by the research reports
Provides a summary of the
research that is not scholarly, or
does not describe the “state of
the science” presented by the
research reports
Does not provide a summary of
the research
4.8
Results:
Recommendations
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
provides detailed examples of
how the recommendation(s) will
fill the gaps in practice
Makes appropriate practice
change recommendation(s)
based on the research reviewed
Makes practice change
recommendation(s) that are not
appropriate, or are not based on
the research reviewed
Does not make practice change
recommendation(s)
4.8
Conclusions:
Limitations
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates novel, scholarly
insight into the literature review
process
Accurately identifies limitations
of the literature review
Identifies limitations of the
literature review, but with gaps
in accuracy or clarity
Does not identify limitations of
the literature review
4.8
Conclusions: Relevance Meets “Proficient” criteria and
draws nuanced connections
between concepts
Discusses the relevance of the
results of literature review to
clinical practice
Discusses the relevance of the
results of literature review to
clinical practice, but with gaps in
detail or clarity
Does not discuss the relevance of
the results of literature review to
clinical practice
4.8
Conclusions:
Implications
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
draws nuanced connections
between concepts
Discusses implications of the
recommended practice change
on future nursing practice and
research
Discusses implications of the
recommended practice change
on future nursing practice or
research, but with gaps in detail
Does not discuss implications of
the recommended practice
change on future nursing practice
and research
4.8
Abstract Meets “Proficient” criteria and
uses scholarly, industry language
to demonstrate expertise
Includes a comprehensive
abstract
Includes an abstract, but with
gaps in detail
Does not include an abstract 4.8
Appendix Meets “Proficient” criteria and
presentation of data is
exceptionally clear and logical
Provides a comprehensive
appendix
Provides an appendix, but with
gaps in detail
Does not provide an appendix 2
Articulation of
Response
Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional
and easy-to-read format
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
Submission has major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that negatively impact readability
and articulation of main ideas
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that prevent understanding of
ideas
2
Earned Total 100%
Conclusions: Relevance Meets “Proficient” criteria and
draws nuanced connections
between concepts
Discusses the relevance of the
results of literature review to
clinical practice
Discusses the relevance of the
results of literature review to
clinical practice, but with gaps in
detail or clarity
Does not discuss the relevance of
the results of literature review to
clinical practice
4.8
Conclusions:
Implications
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
draws nuanced connections
between concepts
Discusses implications of the
recommended practice change
on future nursing practice and
research
Discusses implications of the
recommended practice change
on future nursing practice or
research, but with gaps in detail
Does not discuss implications of
the recommended practice
change on future nursing practice
and research
4.8
Abstract Meets “Proficient” criteria and
uses scholarly, industry language
to demonstrate expertise
Includes a comprehensive
abstract
Includes an abstract, but with
gaps in detail
Does not include an abstract 4.8
Appendix Meets “Proficient” criteria and
presentation of data is
exceptionally clear and logical
Provides a comprehensive
appendix
Provides an appendix, but with
gaps in detail
Does not provide an appendix 2
Articulation of
Response
Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional
and easy-to-read format
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
Submission has major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that negatively impact readability
and articulation of main ideas
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that prevent understanding of
ideas
2
Earned Total 100%