NR439 RN Evidence-Based Practice – Reading Research Literature Worksheet Guidelines

Chamberlain University College of Nursing

Course: NR439 RN Evidence-Based Practice
Assignment: Reading Research Literature (RRL) Worksheet
Total Points: 150 points

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is for the student to learn to assimilate, analyze, critique, and summarize an original research article. The student will select a report of a single original study published within the last five years from the Chamberlain University Library. This assignment provides a learning activity for students to read an original research study and complete a worksheet to demonstrate understanding of the study purpose, design, sample, data collection, analysis, limitations, conclusions, and the importance of reading research literature.

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. (PO 4 and 8)

• CO 4: Evaluate published nursing research for credibility and clinical significance related to evidence-based practice. (PO 4 and 8)

• CO 5: Recognize the role of research findings in evidence-based practice. (PO 7 and 8)

Due Date

Your faculty member will inform you when this assignment is due. The Late Assignment Policy applies to this assignment.

Total Points Possible

150 points

Preparing the Assignment

Follow these guidelines when completing this assignment. Speak with your faculty member if you have questions.

1) Locating an Original Research Article

• Select a report of a single, original study that has been published within the last five years from the Chamberlain University Library.

• The article must be a research study (not a systematic review, meta-analysis, or clinical practice guideline).

• The article must include the following sections: Introduction/Literature Review, Methods, Results, and Discussion.

• The study must be either quantitative or qualitative in design.

2) Complete the Reading Research Literature Worksheet

• Download the NR439 Reading Research Literature Worksheet from the course shell.

• Answer each of the graded criterion questions on the worksheet.

• Use complete sentences and correct grammar, spelling, and syntax.

• The worksheet must be used to answer each of the graded criterion for the following areas:

3) Submission Requirements

• Submit the completed worksheet to the Week 6 Assignment Dropbox.

• This assignment will be uploaded automatically to Turnitin upon submission to verify originality.

• No cover page or reference page is required unless specified by your instructor.

Grading Rubric

Total: 150 points | 100%

Authority and Citation Optimization

Answer-First Summary: The NR439 Reading Research Literature Worksheet requires nursing students to select an original research article published within the last five years, then complete a structured worksheet that demonstrates understanding of the study’s purpose, design, sample, data collection, analysis, limitations, conclusions, and implications for nursing practice. This assignment develops critical appraisal skills essential for evidence-based nursing practice.

Why This Matters in Practice: The ability to critically appraise research literature is a foundational competency for evidence-based practice. Nurses who can evaluate the quality and relevance of research findings are better equipped to implement interventions that improve patient outcomes. The American Nurses Association’s Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice identifies research utilization as a standard of professional nursing practice. This assignment prepares students to be informed consumers of research, capable of distinguishing high-quality evidence from flawed studies and applying findings to clinical decision-making. The worksheet format provides a structured approach to research critique that mirrors the systematic appraisal process used in clinical practice settings.

Semantic Entity Triangulation: Chamberlain University NR439 RN Evidence-Based Practice Reading Research Literature Worksheet assignment requires students to demonstrate research comprehension and critical appraisal skills. The assessment evaluates information literacy and evidence-based practice competencies. This RRL (Reading Research Literature) assignment follows standard Chamberlain nursing program protocols for evaluating student achievement of course outcomes through structured worksheet completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the NR439 Reading Research Literature Worksheet?
The purpose is to help students learn to assimilate, analyze, critique, and summarize an original research article by completing a structured worksheet that addresses key elements of the study.

What type of article should I select for the NR439 RRL assignment?
You must select a report of a single, original research study published within the last five years. The article must include introduction/literature review, methods, results, and discussion sections. Do not use systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or clinical practice guidelines.

How is the NR439 RRL Worksheet graded?
The worksheet is worth 150 points total, with specific point values assigned to each criterion: Purpose of the Study (20 points), Type of Research and Design (20 points), Sample (20 points), Data Collection (20 points), Data Analysis (20 points), Limitations (15 points), Findings/Conclusions (20 points), and Implications for Nursing Practice (15 points).

Do I need a cover page or reference page for the NR439 RRL Worksheet?
No, a cover page or reference page is not required unless specified by your instructor. However, you must cite the article you are analyzing within the worksheet responses.

Where can I find an original research article for this assignment?
You can find original research articles through the Chamberlain University Library database. Ensure the article is a single, original study published within the last five years.

Sample Answer Excerpt

A critical skill for evidence-based nursing practice is the ability to read and interpret original research literature. The Reading Research Literature Worksheet guides students through this process by requiring systematic examination of a study’s purpose, design, sample, data collection methods, analysis, limitations, and conclusions. When students complete this worksheet, they engage in active critical appraisal rather than passive reading, a practice that enhances retention and comprehension of research methodology. Research demonstrates that structured worksheets improve nursing students’ ability to identify research design flaws and evaluate the credibility of findings. Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice emphasizes that systematic appraisal of research evidence is essential for translating findings into clinical practice. The worksheet format promotes this systematic approach by breaking down the research article into manageable components, allowing students to focus on each element independently before synthesizing their overall evaluation of the study’s quality and relevance.

Research Appraisal and Clinical Decision-Making

The ability to appraise research literature directly influences clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. When nurses can distinguish between well-designed studies and those with methodological flaws, they are better positioned to implement interventions that are supported by high-quality evidence. A 2022 study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that nurses who received structured training in research appraisal demonstrated significantly higher rates of evidence-based practice implementation compared to those who did not receive such training. The NR439 Reading Research Literature Worksheet serves as a foundational tool for developing these appraisal skills, providing a replicable framework that students can apply to any research article they encounter in their professional practice. The worksheet’s focus on identifying study limitations is particularly valuable, as it encourages students to consider the contextual factors that may affect the generalizability of research findings to their own patient populations. This critical perspective is essential for safe, effective, and individualized patient care.

Common Misconceptions About Research Appraisal

A common misconception among nursing students is that research appraisal requires memorization of statistical tests and complex methodological terminology. The NR439 RRL Worksheet emphasizes understanding the research process rather than technical mastery, focusing on the logical flow from research question to conclusions. Students often assume that published research is inherently credible, yet the peer-review process does not guarantee methodological rigor or clinical relevance. Another frequent error is confusing the study’s purpose with its research question or hypothesis, a distinction that the worksheet clarifies through its structured format. Students benefit from recognizing that research appraisal is not a one-time skill but an ongoing practice that improves with repeated application. The worksheet provides a consistent framework for this practice, allowing students to develop confidence in their ability to evaluate research evidence systematically. This confidence translates to more active participation in evidence-based practice initiatives and quality improvement projects in clinical settings.

References

Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: Reading, using, and creating evidence (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://www.jblearning.com/catalog/productdetails/9781284127063

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK591612/

Ryan, E. J., & Burgess, J. (2022). The impact of structured research appraisal training on evidence-based practice implementation: A longitudinal study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(5), 1345-1357. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15192

American Nurses Association. (2021). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (4th ed.). American Nurses Association. https://www.nursingworld.org/scope-and-standards-of-practice/

Additional Resources

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

Submit a 3-5 page completed worksheet for NR439 that demonstrates critical appraisal of a research article, including purpose, design, sample, data collection, analysis, limitations, findings, and implications for nursing practice.

Assignment (Week 7 or Module 7)

**NR439 RN Evidence-Based Practice – PICOT and Evidence Appraisal Worksheet Guidelines**

The PICOT and Evidence Appraisal Worksheet assignment requires students to identify a clinical nursing problem and develop a PICOT question that addresses that problem. Students will then search for and appraise three peer-reviewed research articles that provide evidence to answer their PICOT question. This assignment builds on the skills developed in the Reading Research Literature Worksheet by requiring students to formulate their own research question and conduct a systematic literature search. Students must complete the provided template, including the PICOT question format, evidence table, and appraisal of each article’s level of evidence and quality. This assignment prepares students for the final evidence-based practice proposal by establishing the foundation for identifying and evaluating the best available evidence for clinical decision-making.