Paper
Friday, July 13, 2007
IF-EBP Projects Across Nursing Curricula
Jean C. Kijek, PhD, College of Nursing, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA and Lorrie Powel, PhD, College of Nursing, University of Central College of Nursing, Orlando, FL, USA.
The third paper will highlight exemplars of the College of Nursing’s IF-EBP projects in the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral curricula. New students in all three programs receive instruction related to IF competencies using the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Literacy Standards and Outcomes and are introduced to evidence based nursing practice. In the future, we plan to include IF-EBP projects in every course. This paper will describe three current projects. In Community Health Nursing course, first semester bachelor’s students complete assignments linked with the US Health & Human Services Healthy People 2010 objectives and community client care. Students are required to state how the objective is affected by the developmental tasks of the client’s target age group; identify the epidemiological factors to consider in planning care for a community. Master’s students complete an integrated literature review (IRL) to define the evidence for a particular clinical or healthcare problem. An IRL is a synthesis of available research on a given topic designed to discover inconsistencies and account for variability in studies that may appear to be similar. This work allows one to create generalizations or relevant theories, resolve conflicts in the literature, and attempt to identify central issues for future research. The ILR is conducted within a capstone course, Evidence Based Practice. Students at the doctoral level conduct a formal systematic review of the literature related to their dissertation topic, the purpose of which is to critically analyze existing research as a basis to evaluate and integrate the available scholarship on a topic. Students examine reports of both quantitative and qualitative research studies. This examination provides a basis for dissertation research. Each level of research synthesis is commensurate with the students’ level of education and experience and provides a framework for their information fluency.