NR449 Evidence-Based Practice
RUA: Analyzing Published Research

Evidence Matrix Table

Article
References Purpose
Hypothesis
Study Question(s) Variables
Independent(I)
Dependent(D) Study Design Sample
Size &
Selection Data Collection
Methods
Major Finding(s)
1
(SAMPLE ARTICLE) Smith, L. (2013).
What should I eat? A focus for those living with diabetes. Journal of Nursing Education, 1 (4) 111-112. How do educational support groups effect dietary modifications in patients with diabetes? D-Dietary modifications
I-Education Qualitative N- 18
Convenience sample-selected from local support group in Pittsburgh, PA Focus Groups Support and education improved compliance with dietary modifications.
1
2
3
4
5

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to interpret the two articles identified as most important to the group topic.
Course outcomes: This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes.
CO 2: Apply research principles to the interpretation of the content of published research studies. (POs 4 and 8)
CO 4: Evaluate published nursing research for credibility and clinical significance related to evidence-based practice. (POs 4 and 8) Use research principles to figure out what published research studies are about. (PO4 and PO8)
CO 4: Look at published nursing research to see how reliable it is and how important it is for evidence-based practice. (PO4 and PO8)

Due date: Your faculty member will inform you when this assignment is due. The Late Assignment Policy applies to this assignment.
Total points possible: 200 points
Preparing the assignment
1. Follow these guidelines when completing this assignment. Speak with your faculty member if you have questions.
2. Please make sure you do not duplicate articles within your group.
3. The paper will include the following:
a. Clinical Question (30 points/15%)
1. Describe the problem: What is the focus of your group’s work?
2. Significance of problem: What health outcomes result from your problem? Or what statistics document this is a problem? You may find support on websites for government or professional organizations.
3. Purpose of the paper: What will your paper do or describe?
***Please note that although most of these questions are the same as you addressed in paper 1, the purpose of this paper is different. You can use your paper 1 for items 1 & 2 above, including any faculty suggestions for improvement provided as feedback.
b. Use Evidence Matrix Table Template: Data Summary – (60 points/30%)
Categorize items in the Evidence Matrix Table, including proper intext citations and reference list entries for each article.
1. References (recent publication within the last 5 years)
2. Purpose/Hypothesis/Study Question(s)
3. Variables: Independent (I) and Dependent (D)
4. Study Design
5. Sample Size and Selection
6. Data Collection Methods
7. Major Findings (Evidence)
c. Description of Findings (60 points/30%)
Describe the data in the Evidence Matrix Table, including proper intext citations and reference list entries for each article.
1. Compare and contrast variables within each study.
2. What are the study design and procedures used in each study; qualitative, quantitative, or mixed method study, levels of confidence in each study, etc.?
3. Participant demographics and information.
4. Instruments used, including reliability and validity.
5. How do the research findings provide evidence to support your clinical problem, or what further evidence is needed to answer your question?
6. Next steps: Identify two questions that can help guide the group’s work.
d. Conclusion (20 points/10%)
Review major findings in a summary paragraph.
1. Evidence to address your clinical problem.
2. Make a connection back to all the included sections.
3. Wrap up the assignment and give the reader something to think about.
e. Format (30 points/15%)
1. Correct grammar and spelling
2. Include a title and reference page
3. Use of headings for each section:
o Problem
o Synthesis of the Literature
 Variables
 Methods
 Participants
 Instruments
 Implications for Future Work
4. Conclusion
5. Adheres to current Help write my thesis – APA formatting and guidelines
6. Include at least two (2) scholarly, current (within 5 years) primary sources other than the textbook
7. 3-4 pages in length, excluding appendices, title, and reference pages

For writing assistance, visit the Writing Center.
Please note that your instructor may provide you with additional assessments in any form to determine that you fully understand the concepts learned.

2

Grading Rubric Criteria are met when the student’s application of knowledge demonstrates achievement of the outcomes for this assignment.

Assignment Section and Required Criteria
(Points possible/% of total points available) Highest Level of Performance High Level of Performance Satisfactory Level of Performance Unsatisfactory Level of Performance Section not present in paper
Clinical Question
(30 points/15%) 30 points 26 points 24 points 11 points 0 points
Required criteria
1. Describe the problem: What is the focus of your group’s work?
2. Significance of problem: What health outcomes result from your problem? Or what statistics document this is a problem? You may find support on websites for government or professional organizations.
3. Purpose of the paper: What will your paper do or describe? Includes 3 requirements for section. Includes 2 requirements for section. Includes 1 requirement for section. Present, yet includes no required criteria. No requirements for this section presented.
Evidence Matrix Table: Data Summary (Appendix A)
(60 points/30%) 60 points 56 points 47 points 25 points 0 points
Required criteria
Categorize items in the Matrix Table, including proper intext citations and reference list entries for each article.
1. References (recent publication within the last 5 years)
2. Purpose/Hypothesis/Study Question(s)
3. Variables: Independent (I) and Dependent (D)
4. Study Design
5. Sample Size and Selection
6. Data Collection Methods
7. Major Findings (Evidence) Includes 7 requirements for section. Includes 6 requirements for section. Includes 5 requirements for section. Includes 4 or less requirements for section. No requirements for this section presented.
Description of Findings
(60 points/30%) 60 points 53 points 47 points 23 points 0 points
Required criteria
Describe the data in the Matrix Table, including proper intext citations and reference list entries for each article.
1. Compare and contrast variables within each study.
2. What are the study design and procedures used in each study; qualitative, quantitative, or mixed method study, levels of confidence in each study, etc.?
3. Participant demographics and information. Includes 6 requirements for section. Includes 5 requirements for section. Includes 4 requirements for section. Includes 3 or less requirements for section. No requirements for this section presented.

Assignment Section and Required Criteria
(Points possible/% of total points available) Highest Level of Performance High Level of Performance Satisfactory Level of Performance Unsatisfactory Level of Performance Section not present in paper
4. Instruments used, including reliability and validity.
5. How do the research findings provide evidence to support your clinical problem, or what further evidence is needed to answer your question?
6. Next steps: Identify two questions that can help guide the group’s
work.
Conclusion
(20 points/10%) 20 points 18 points 15 points 8 points 0 points
Required criteria
Review major findings in a summary paragraph.
1. Evidence to address your clinical problem.
2. Make a connection back to all the included sections.
3. Wrap up the assignment and give the reader something to think about. Includes 3 requirements for section. Includes 2 requirements for section. Includes 1 requirement for section. Present, yet includes no required criteria. No requirements for this section presented.
Format
(30 points/15%) 30 points 26 points 23 points 11 points 0 points
Required criteria
1. Correct grammar and spelling
2. Include a title and reference page
3. Use of headings for each section:
o Problem
o Synthesis of the Literature
 Variables
 Methods
 Participants
 Instruments
 Implications for Future Work
4. Conclusion
5. Adheres to current Help write my thesis – APA formatting and guidelines
6. Includes at least two (2) scholarly, current (within 5 years) primary sources other than the textbook
7. 3-4 pages in length excluding appendices, title, and reference pages Includes 7 requirements for section. Includes 6 requirements for section. Includes 5 requirements for section. Includes 4 or less requirements for section. No requirements for this section presented.
Total Points Possible = 200 points

Appendix A

EVIDENCE MATRIX TABLE

Article
References Purpose Hypothesis
Study Question(s) Variables Independent(I) Dependent(D)
Study Design Sample Size & Selection Data Collection Methods
Major Finding(s)
1 Smith, L. (2013). What How do educational support D-Dietary Quantitative N- 18 Focus Groups Support and education
(SAMPLE should I eat? A focus for groups effect dietary modifications modifications Convenience improved compliance with
ARTICLE) those living with diabetes. in patients with diabetes? I-Education sample-selected dietary modifications.
Journal of Nursing from local support
Education, 1(4), 111-112. group in Pittsburgh,
PA
1
2
3
4
5

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