The DNP Project: Literature Synthesis

Created by Cosette Taylor, Communications Instructor for the Faculty of Nursing at the University of

Manitoba, [email protected]

Can you give me

examples of the process

of analysis to synthesis

of the literature?

When your kitchen table is covered in a mountain of research literature and you do not know what to do next, an example of the process of analysis to synthesis can be helpful in getting you started. I have provided these examples below.

The thinking at this stage consumes a lot of energy and time (more hands would not necessarily be helpful, trust me). How you interpret the significance of the literature is what’s most important. You will do more than simply reporting the findings (facts); you will make statements about what is “known” or “not known” (the gaps) on the topic and identify the controversies among the academics who research the topic.

While reading through your sources, you first need to determine the:

• general trends or themes in the literature

• similar findings in some of the different studies

• contrasting findings among the different studies.

Below, the original sources are provided and the successful synthesis of these findings. Read through these examples carefully. Next go to the sample literature reviews found on this site.

Reporting General Trends in the LiteratureReporting General Trends in the LiteratureReporting General Trends in the LiteratureReporting General Trends in the Literature

Original sourcesOriginal sourcesOriginal sourcesOriginal sources to analyzeto analyzeto analyzeto analyze

In Davis, Hershberger, Ghan, and Lin (1990), you found that:

“In this study about the personal qualities for a good nurse, caring was reported 84% of the time in good

nurses and kindness was reported 80% of the time”.

In Resnick (2002), the patient shared that she:

“… was fortunate to have a positive experience with my nurse. The nurse was thoughtful and empathetic.

Created by Cosette Taylor, Communications Instructor for the Faculty of Nursing at the University of

Manitoba, [email protected]

The nurse comforted me, listened to my fears, shared the experiences of other women in this situation with

me, and gave me information when I needed it. This nurse touched my heart and made the illness easier”

In their study, Rush and Cook (2006) reported that:

“Five hundred and twenty five comments were recorded on the main requirements of a good nurse. More

than 70 percent reported that ‘having a caring attitude’ or ‘caring nature’ was extremely important for the

nurse. Taking time to listen and talk with patients was also associated with caring. Many comments were

about ‘what a good nurse was not’ including someone who ignores patients, makes jokes about patients,

shouts at patients, for instance. Thus, being caring and kind to patients is integral to being a good nurse”

Smith and Godfrey (2002) claim that:

“The positive attitudes of the good nurse are linked to attitudes of the nurse as a person. Many good nurses

are caring, kind, and compassionate people. A good nurse ‘truly cares about people’, ‘likes the patients and

wants to help them’, ‘listens to the patients carefully and respectfully’, and ‘sees the person, not just the

disease’”.

Successful Synthesis:

The literature consistently states that the important personal characteristics of a good nurse are related to the nurse’s ability to be caring and kind to patients (Davis, Hershberger, Ghan, & Lin, 1990; Resnick, 2002; Rush & Cook, 2006; Smith & Godfrey, 2002).

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Original sources to analyzeOriginal sources to analyzeOriginal sources to analyzeOriginal sources to analyze

Ruth and Cook (2006) found that:

“The strongest theme in the research was communication. There were 102 comments on communication

with particular emphasis on listening skills and taking the time to communicate with patients. Another

important theme was knowledge. While specific nursing knowledge was important, the participants reported

that good nurses use their common sense to make good decisions about care (and then communicate

those decisions well)”

Created by Cosette Taylor, Communications Instructor for the Faculty of Nursing at the University of

Manitoba, [email protected]

Smith and Godfrey (2002) also came to the conclusion that:

“… good nurses make good decisions and appropriate judgments about their patients’ care. This requires

that the nurse should continually ask questions, clarify information, and consider a variety of options before

choosing the best, most logical, decision. Often the nurse will need to consider very different perspectives

and opinions. Therefore, the nurse must be able to effectively communicate the reasons why he/she made

this particular decision”.

Successful Synthesis:

The ability to communicate and have common sense are also desirable characteristics of a good nurse (Rush & Cook, 2006; Smith & Godfrey, 2002).

Or

Rush and Cook (2006) and Smith and Godfrey (2002) argue that the ability to communicate and have common sense are also desirable characteristics of a good nurse.

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Original sources to analyzeOriginal sources to analyzeOriginal sources to analyzeOriginal sources to analyze

Davis, Hershberger, Ghan, and Lin (1990) report that:

“In this study about the personal qualities for a good nurse, caring was reported 84% of the time in good

nurses and kindness was reported 80% of the time. Good/moral character was found in 66% of the sample

and responsibility was determined in 66 percent of the research participants”.

Similarly, Smith and Godfrey (2002) conclude that:

“The larger implications from the research are that good nurses are kind, compassionate, caring men and

women who use their knowledge to do the right thing or make the best decisions. The difficult question

becomes: how do nursing educators create or encourage nursing students to have these qualities?”

However, Rush and Cook (2006) point out that:

“The importance of showing respect to the patients and other health care professions was a consistent

theme in the research. This respect comes in many forms, including respect for age, cultural diversity,

class, and disability. Respect means making each patient feel valued and important”.

Created by Cosette Taylor, Communications Instructor for the Faculty of Nursing at the University of

Manitoba, [email protected]

Successful Synthesis:

While Davis, Hershberger, Ghan, and Lin (1990) and Smith and Godfrey (2002) state that kindness, compassion, and good character are the most frequently identified qualities of a good nurse, Rush and Cook (2006) claim that being respectful is one of the most significant qualities of a good nurse.