Nursing (Graduate): Thesis / SIP / DNP Projects

Research Question or PICOt

Based on pre-determined PICOt.

Exploratory, often asking an open question initially. 

May be used to find gap in research or determine feasibility of a systematic review.

Open-ended question. Usually asking why something is happening or what the experience is like.

Scope

Comprehensive and narrow, focused on a clinical question (PICOt)

Very broad. Scope may change some from initial search. 

Fairly broad. Investigating why behind of a phenomenon. 

Protocols / Detailed explanation

Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review

And

PRIMSA Guidelines

Arksey and O’Malley (2005). Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework

Mak, S., & Thomas, A. (2022). An Introduction to Scoping Reviews. Journal of graduate medical education, 14(5), 561–564. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-22-00620.1

Cochrane Qualitative & Implementation Methods Group

Research Designs Included in study selection/ data extraction

Quantitative research.

Mostly randomized control trials and some quasi-experimental designs. In some SRs, case control and cohort studies are investigated. Studies are evaluated heavily for quality. 

Varies, not restricted by research design. 

Qualitative research. 

Example

Persistent symptoms among post-COVID-19 survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Nurses’ barriers to caring for patients with COVID‐19: a qualitative systematic review

Research Team

Completed as a large team to avoid bias. Often includes a statistician and a medical librarian. 

Usually a smaller team. Meant to be completed in shorter time period than a systematic review. 

Notes

Considered highest level of evidence. Often includes a meta-analysis.

When available, SRs are the basis for Practice Guidelines and Protocols