PICOT Question Research Assignment

PICOT Question in systematic review paper

Your APA 7th edition systematic review paper will build off of your PICOT question and should have the following components:

Title page (formatted according to APA 7th edition)

A running head from p2 on.

APA Headings

Links to an external site.

 identifying the following sections of your paper:

Background of the Problem – in this section of your paper you discuss why your PICOT population or observation need to have an intervention strategy and comparison strategy reviewed?  The background information identifies and describes the history and nature of your problem with reference to the existing literature. In this section you should indicate the root of the problem being studied, appropriate context of the problem in relation to theory, research, and/or practice, its scope.  Background information does not replace the evaluation of literature section; it is intended to place the research problem in a proper context.

PICOT question – in this section you state your approved PICOT question you are answering, this is not a problem statement.  (Groves & Gray p390-391)

Purpose of the paper – This section of your systematic review paper states the purpose, which is to conduct evidence based literature research and analysis to answer your PICOT question.  This will be accomplished by comparing what evidence-based literature has to say about your I (intervention) strategy and your C (comparison) strategy.  Your purpose statement presents the reason, scope, and direction of the paper. It tells the reader what to expect in a paper and what the specific focus will be. To minimize bias, you should not state an opinion in this section.  This section is not long.  Please note, you are not conducting original research.

Literature search strategy– this section includes the names of databases you used, word’s you used for research, word’s you eliminated in research (and why), dates, types of journals reviewed, the type of studies, the number of journals reviewed, any problems encountered….. (Groves & Gray, Table 13.1, p391-392)

Evaluation of the Literature– in this section you analyze/assess/interpret the research articles you selected to answer your PICOT question.  Does the literature utilize qualitative or quantitative studies?  What are the sample sizes?  What are the locations?  Are they similar?  Were the findings similar?  Are the articles presenting original research?  You should include original research articles which examine the I (intervention) strategy and the C (comparison) strategy separately.  You may find research articles which combine the two and these can be used, but not used for your primary analysis/assessment/interpretation.  By investigating, reading, analyzing, and interpreting EB literature which discusses the good and bad of both the intervention strategy and the comparison strategy, you minimize bias (Groves & Gray, p394-414).
You may want to use subheadings in this section.

Conclusion of findings– in this section, as a result of your evaluation of literature, you clearly state whether the intervention strategy or the comparison strategy is better and why.

Include a section discussing implementing change in healthcare. In this section you may choose to have personal communications with your leaders in your organization or in your community about change.   You can include information on what the process is to implement change at your healthcare facility by asking your Unit Practice Council, Manager, about the change process.  Support the findings with literature on change  OR you can write generically about implementing change in healthcare identifying an evidence-based practice model you could use to facilitate change… Be sure to use APA format to CITE personal communication!!

Include a section discussing barriers to change– In this section you will discuss barriers/blockades to change.  There is EB literature available which discusses barriers to change in healthcare. Here you may cite also your leaders, as they may identify barriers to change in the organization OR you can write generically about barriers to change.  Be sure to CITE with evidence!!

Summary of the paper.  This section has two to three paragraphs, restating the PICOT question, the analysis/evaluation of literature research findings, how  change can or may occur and barriers to change. You should also discuss areas of needed research or future areas to be examined.

Reference page APA 7th edition formatted with ten (10) or more scholarly references.

The paper should be APA 7th edition formatted, use headings, use APA 7th edition format in text references, and be 5-10 pages (double spaced) long.  Not included in the page count, but required, an APA 7th edition formatted title page and reference(s) page.

Sample Essay Guide on PICOT Question

Title: A Systematic Review of Intervention and Comparison Strategies for [Population or Observation]

Abstract: (Summarize the key points of the paper in a concise manner)

Introduction:

I. Background of the Problem:

• Description of the problem being studied
• Contextualization of the problem in relation to theory, research, and/or practice
• Scope of the problem

II. PICOT Question:

• Statement of the approved PICOT question

III. Purpose of the Paper:

• Objective of conducting evidence-based literature research and analysis to answer the PICOT question
• Mention the I (intervention) strategy and C (comparison) strategy being analyzed
• Avoid stating personal opinions or bias

Literature Search Strategy:

• Description of the databases used for research
• Keywords used and reasons for their selection
• Exclusion criteria for certain keywords
• Inclusion of specific dates, types of journals, and study designs
• Number of journals reviewed and any encountered problems during the search

Evaluation of the Literature:

• Analysis and interpretation of the selected research articles
• Identification of qualitative or quantitative studies
• Consideration of sample sizes, locations, and similarities across articles
• Determination of whether the articles present original research
• Focus on studies that examine the intervention and comparison strategies separately
• Use of subheadings to organize the evaluation

Conclusion of Findings:

• Clear statement on which strategy (intervention or comparison) is determined to be better
• Explanation of the reasons supporting the conclusion based on the literature evaluation

Implementation of Change in Healthcare:

• Discussion on the process of implementing change at a healthcare facility
• Consideration of personal communications with leaders in the organization or community
• Incorporation of evidence-based practice models to facilitate change
• Use of APA format for citing personal communications

Barriers to Change:

• Identification and discussion of barriers or blockades to change in healthcare
• Use of evidence-based literature to support the discussion
• Potential inclusion of insights from leaders or personal experiences

Summary:

• Brief restatement of the PICOT question
• Recapitulation of the analysis and evaluation of literature research findings
• Mention of potential ways in which change can occur based on the findings
• Discussion of barriers to change
• Identification of areas for future research or further examination

References:

• APA 7th edition formatted reference list with a minimum of ten scholarly references