Locating and Appraising Reasearch

Objectives

• Identify electronic database search strategies (e.g., CINAHL, PubMed)
• Locating and evaluating sources of evidence

Deliverables

• Write a 3-5 page (not including the title and reference pages) paper
• APA 7 formatted paper with an introduction and conclusion.
• APA 7 headings for each section of the paper
• At least 3 peer-reviewed articles

Step 1: Research

• Interview a librarian or nursing scholar on methods for locating and appraising health and other relevant research literature and electronic database search on strategies.

Step 2: Consider

• Write a quality appraisal of the Library and resources.
• What did you learn?
• How do you locate and evaluate sources of evidence?
• Which electronic database would you use most and what types of search words would you use?
• What are the strengths?
• What are the weaknesses?
• Is it adequate? Why or why not?

I have already interviewed with a librarian and can include the information I received from them that answers the questions. Please use the template attached as a writing format with the required number of paragraphs and in-text APA 7 citations.

Librarian Response:

Week 7 – Appraising Evidence

The answers to support all areas of the assignment paper template are included below

Interview

What did you learn from your interview with a scholar or librarian? Entire paper must be in 3rd person language…. it must be at least 2 fully formed paragraphs (at least 5 sentences in length). Summarize your interview. What questions did you ask? What were the responses. Did you find the information helpful.

Librarian Response

You want to come back and complete this portion after you have reviewed the other responses. Questions that you ask are included below in the other sections.

Locating Sources

How do you locate and evaluate sources of evidence? Must be at least three fully formed paragraph (at least 5 sentences in length) with in-text citations. First paragraphs, Explain the methods and strategies used to find credible sources. Second paragraph, describe the criteria used to determine if a source is reliable and useful. Examples: CRAAP test, how to check for the authors credentials and publications reputation. Third paragraph, reflect on why locating and evaluating sources matters in research. Can include how good sources strengthen your argument, risks of using unreliable sources, etc.

Librarian Response

You can locate sources of evidence using the nightingale library. Library Nightingale () . Locating and evaluating sources matters in research because you want credible research to be used when conducting your own research. The quality of the information you use matters and in order for your research/writing to be held in high regard, you need to incorporate credible research. You can evaluate sources using the CRAAP Method as well as checking the peer reviewed check box in the ebsco databases. Peer reviewed simply means a process where an article is reviewed by a group of scholars before it is published and deemed a credible source. It has already been evaluated for researchers. CRAAP is an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. Use the CRAAP Test to evaluate your sources. Currency: the timeliness of the information When was the information published or posted? Has the information been revised or updated? Is the information current or out-of date for your topic? Are the links functional? Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? Who is the intended audience? Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)? Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use? Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper? Authority: the source of the information Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor? Are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations given? What are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations given? What are the author’s qualifications to write on the topic? Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address? Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? examples: .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (U.S. government) .org (nonprofit organization), or .net (network) Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content Where does the information come from? Is the information supported by evidence? Has the information been reviewed or refereed? Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge? Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion? Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors? Purpose: the reason the information exists What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade? Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear? Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda? Does the point of view appear objective and impartial? Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

Electronic databases

Which electronic database would you use most and what types of search words would you use? Must be at least two fully formed paragraphs (at least 5 sentences in length) with in-text citations. First paragraph, discuss which databases are appropriate to use. Which databases are not appropriate to use. Why or why not. Second paragraph, discuss your topic and which keywords and Boolean search techniques you used to narrow or broaden search results. What is

the importance of knowing your topic well to choose effective search terms. What is the difference between primary and secondary sources and when to use each. Note: Do not use Google or Google Scholar as a database source. Focus on actual periodical databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, etc.

Librarian Response

Databases like Ebsco, Pubmed and the Nightingale College Library – search box are all the most used databases. You want to use databases that are subject related. For biomedical research, which includes the field of nursing, you want to use databases like Pubmed, Cinahl, Ebscohost. Search words to use depends on the topic. Inside of research databases I like to search dissertations because they provide in depth literature reviews already. I also review the references used in a helpful research article. The keywords I choose need to cover 4 areas(problem/area of interest, setting, demographic, and the impact) Ex. How does Diabetes affect the health of women in america? My search keywords would be

• Problem/Area of interest=Diabetes, impact=health, demographic=women, setting=america

Boolean search techniques are simply connector keywords that establish a relationship between keyword. The 3 boolean connector keywords are: AND, OR, NOT. So if you are searching for Diabetes in american women you would search for Diabetes AND women AND america

It is important to know your topic well so you can select search terms that are related to your topic.

Primary sources provide original research, data, art. etc. while secondary sources analyze/interpret primary sources. You use original research when you are providing direct evidence or an original perspective. Secondary sources are used to provide context , historical analysis or comparing research,

Strengths and Weaknesses

What are the strengths and weaknesses of these resources? … must be at least two fully formed paragraphs (at least 5 sentences in length) with in-text citations. The first paragraph discusses the strengths of your resources. The second paragraph discusses the weaknesses of your resources.

Librarian Response

This is your opinion here. You want to incorporate all of the information I have provided on how to evaluate sources. Be sure to include the information I highlighted about the CRAAP method to identify strengths and weaknesses.

Adequacy

Are the resources adequate? Why or why not? … must be at least two fully formed paragraphs (at least 5 sentences in length) with in-text citations.

Librarian Response

Determining if the resources are acceptable will incorporate why you are using the resources for your research topic. You can write a paragraph about each resource/article and discuss how the research support your research topic.

HOW TO CITE THE INTERVIEW IN APA FORMAT

Please note: You do not need to include the interview in your references page. You only need to use the interview as an in text citation. Please see details below:

You can reference this interview using the following format

(The Librarian’s First and Last Name, Personal Communication, The Month day, year you had the interview with the librarian)

Citation: Diamond Clark, Personal Communication, February 18, 2025