NURS 8000 Week 4 Assignment 1: Locating and Critically Analyzing Primary Research Articles
Literature searches in preparation for conducting a comprehensive literature review are crucial in generating new search ideas, improving individual knowledge concerning the topic at hand, and evaluating commonly used methodologies (Xiao, & Watson, 2019). Focusing on improving my knowledge in psychology, I followed several steps in locating relevant updated pieces of literature for review. The first step was to develop a research question, followed by a mind map of the research topic. I then developed keywords, while considering appropriate databases such as PsycINFO, PEP-Web, Academic Search Complete, ScienceDirect, EBSCO Cinahl, and Scopus among others. I started broad, then refined the search outcome by utilizing search operators, such as “AND” “OR” and “NOT.” Limiters such as age, gender, methodology, and timeframe helped in narrowing down to only relevant articles. I also investigated the citations to ensure that the information was valid and reliable. My literature review was based on the following research topic: “The impact of social anxiety among the adolescent population.”
A Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) and a Doctor of Philosophy in nursing (PhD) have similarities in that they are both research focused. However, having a PhD in nursing means that the research that is done is research that is original. Meaning, the PhD of nursing is finding groundbreaking research that will create new processes in healthcare. PhD grads are “prepared for careers as nurse scholars to conduct research that advances the discipline of nursing, health, and health care quality” (Johns Hopkins University, 2022). DNP grads are prepared “to become expert clinicians by applying research and knowledge to create more efficient practices and better patient outcomes” (Thomas, 2018). The DNP program involves research, but the difference is that the DNP uses the research and evidence-based processes created by the PhD. The DNP is focused on “quality improvement” and improved patient outcomes.
Article Reviews
The first article by Field, (2020) is a narrative review based on a literature search on PubMed and PsychINFO, to assess the impact of social anxiety on adolescents. The study utilized 53 papers, published from the year 2018 to 2020. The research also focused on the prevalence, risk factors, comorbidities, and interventions for social anxiety among adolescents. Based on the study outcome, it was discovered that the prevalence of social anxiety among adolescents ranged from 2% to 25%. The impacts of social anxiety on adolescents, as reported by the researcher include depression, poor academic performance, internet addiction, gaming, and emotion regulation problems.
For the second study, Chiu, Clark, & Leigh, (2021) carried out a systemic review and meta-analysis aimed at examining peer functioning and social anxiety among adolescents. Relevant articles were drawn from PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, and EMBASE. It was discovered that peer rejection, poor friendship quality, and peer victimization were all associated with late social anxiety.
The last study conducted by Seema, & Kumar, (2017) was aimed at determining the relationship and gender differences between social anxiety and self-esteem among adolescents. A sample size of 200 adolescent students between the age of 16 to 18 years from several colleges in Bangalore city was utilized for the study. Social Phobia inventory and Rosenberg Self-esteem scale were used to collect data, which was statistically analyzed through SPSS. The results indicate a negative relationship between self-esteem and social anxiety among adolescents. The negative impacts of social anxiety were more pronounced among female adolescents as compared to the males.
Synthesis of the Articles
All three articles reported a negative impact of social anxiety on the social and personal lives of adolescents. While Field, (2020) and Chiu, Clark, & Leigh, (2021) utilized systemic literature review to conduct their studies, Seema, & Kumar, (2017) carried out a field study, with first-hand data from 200 participants. The study by Seema, & Kumar, (2017) also examined the relationship between gender difference and social anxiety, which revealed that female adolescents were affected more than males.
Differences between Summarizing and Synthesizing Research
Synthesizing research can be considered as the process of making a summary that links all the reviewed articles (Xiao, & Watson, 2019). Rather than just restating the significant points displayed in the individual articles, a research synthesis, involves the combination of ideas, which allows an evolved understanding of the content.
References
Field, T. (2020).