Nursing

FAQ about Matrix Here are some answers to questions that students have asked about the Matrix assignment:

1. You will essentially be doing a critique of each of the 5 quantitative research articles, using the table provided (1 table per article = 5), analyzing your articles. So you will have the introduction describing your search, 5 tables, and 1 summary + references.

2. Choose one of the evaluation tools to assist you in evaluating the articles- choose a specific tool based on the type of research that was used- match the evaluation tool to the article. You only need to use one tool. These are ones such as Johns Hopkins, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center. JBI, etc. They are identified on the instructions with links.

3. The initial questions on the matrix- key words, inclusion/exclusion information etc only needs to be completed one time- as it was this search that enabled you to find the articles.

4. This is a BIG assignment so make sure you get started now. Use single space in the table- otherwise it will take up too much space. The information does not need to be complete sentences in the tables. The summary needs to follow APA and use complete sentences.

5. Based on this review, you may need to change or reframe your PICO/T question. That frequently is the outcome of doing an in-depth analysis such as this. Changing your PICO/T is not something you need to do for this assignment. You may do it and get feedback from your faculty, but it is not required. You should discuss in the summary that based on your review and the findings, the PICOT will need to be changed.

6. As long as you identify the authors of the articles used in the critique and include the citation in the reference list you will be fine for the matrix. Just be sure to paraphrase information you put into the table- do not cut/paste into the table. You may have some tables that are longer so the tables may run into the next page at times depending on how much you write.

7. For the evaluation tool portion of the Matrix I have chosen to use the Joanna Briggs Institute Appraisal tool for the majority of my articles. With this tool are the results simply Include or Exclude in contrast to the CASP Checklist where a score is given? Answer: You could just identify the number of questions that were addressed- so 9/11 or 5/10 or whatever you found.

8. There is not a mixed methods appraisal for CASP or the Joanna Briggs organizations. Here is a link to a mixed method checklist. See if that works for you. If this doesn't work, then choose the predominant method- generally the 1st one they use- and use that checklist.

Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool

9. For the first column in the table, the authors/credentials/year, if there are a large number of authors, can we use et. al. after listing the first 6 as in APA format, or do you prefer all authors listed because you want to know their credentials? I ask because I have a few articles with 10-15 authors listed. Answer: You don't need to write all authors in the table- follow APA rules for that- remember with 7th edition you only need to include 3 in the citation with et al. Here is a link to Purdue Owl with current APA information

10. The example matrix table uses ONE table with multiple rows for each article being reviewed. Is this the format you want, or would you prefer each article to have its own table (with the headings of each column above)? Answer: I find having the tables all together is time saving to grade, but each article should have its ' own ' table/page but they are all combined into one document. However, if there are issues with the table they can be separated but need to be submitted as one document. It becomes very cumbersome with separate files for each.

11. For the matrix assignment, how should we report the results from the evaluation tool if it specifically states it is not intended to be scored as a number? The MMAT states "it is discouraged to calculate an overall score from the ratings of each criterion". Additionally, the JBI tool only has options of yes/no/unclear/not applicable. I saw that another student asked about this and was told to score based on how many criterion were met, but how would we score items which were unclear? Answer: Identify what you can and then report it as 3/9 ? on 4 or something that indicates that you are unsure. You can identify your concerns under reliability of the research. It just may give you an indication of what is and what is not present. It is not really presenting a score. Again, this matrix is for you to include information that is helpful to you so that you don't have to keep searching in the article.

12.Other questions about the matrix:

13. Could someone clarify what the introduction portion means with regards to: "Studies included in systematic review or meta analysis- N =". Are we supposed to include a systematic review as one of our articles or are we referring to out of the thousands of articles searched, X are systematic reviews? Answer: If you use a systematic review or meta-analysis- just identify out of the five how many are SR or MA. See the matrix + annotation with this written in green. If you have included systematic reviews in your 5 articles (you do not have to), you will identify the specifics of the articles within the table. 14. Typically we are supposed to avoid first person when writing. The example is written in first person. Is there a right or wrong way for this project? Also, are we supposed to stay around 300 words total for our summary? Answer: 1st person is fine for this summary as the sample demonstrates as it is really your findings from doing the analysis. I would say your summary should be able to accomplished on 1 page.

15. Follow APA 7th Edition for a Professional Paper as to running head, page numbers, title page.

16. I am having a hard time finding a critical appraisal tool for a descriptive survey study. Do you have any suggestions on a tool to use for this? Answer: Try the JBI- prevalence scale. If that doesn't work you can use the polit/beck list - Box 16-1, p 371.

17. Can I use a national guideline for one of my articles? If so, is there an evaluation tool that best fits this type of article? I used CASP tool for all of my other articles; however, I do not see one for a guideline. Answer: The only way I think a national guideline works is if it is evidence based and that is shown in the guideline. And if you have the references, why not go to the primary source? That is always the best way to go.

18. I am struggling with the data analysis section of a systematic review. Can you help with some suggestions about how to address the information? Answer: The article title is Using teach-back method to prevent 30-day readmissions in patients with heart failure: A systematic review by Almkuist. Answer: It sounds like it is an intervention study. Describe the criteria the reviewers used to review the studies- and how the articles fared. Generally they identify an effect size in systematic reviews- that may be a good choice to look for. Or you could summarize. The readmission rate is

Result/ “theme” section. This refers to the outcomes of the research you have reviewed. If it is quantitative, then you would include the results (t = 5.7, p = 0.03) with group one significantly different from group 2 on blood sugars (making this up). For a qualitative article if you have that, then you would include the themes of the research that were identified

Some articles do not list the credentials of the all the authors, is it ok to say “unknown” for that? Yes

Would you like a title page for this Assignment? Yes- include a title page

Yes, you can use narrow margins for the table- that is best as you want to include all the information. Check with your faculty to see acceptable font. 10-12 would probably be best.

generally nominal- either they returned or they didn't in 30 days. I would probably lean toward grouping the studies together- 5 did this and had this result, while 6 did this and had this result.

19. Answer: If possible, you should choose quantitative articles within 5 years of publishing. This includes systematic reviews or meta analysis. For some topics there may be limited research published and you may have more difficulty in finding articles so then you will have to expand the type and year it is published. The topic you are interested in should drive your choice of articles. You need to evaluate each article for its strengths and weaknesses according to the areas identified on the columns.

20. For our cover page, can the title just be Summary and analysis of Article Matrix? or do we need to have personalized titles? Answer: Yes, you can use that as the title, but you may want to go ahead and give it a more specific title as you will need a title for the presentation.

21. Where do I find the learning tools you mention in the following announcement? Answer: Information has been posted under Learning Tools (module 0) related to your MSN NP and NEL capstone projects. This will help you identify articles that you may choose to use for the matrix assignment.

22. Information about the preliminary section: the number of studies reviewed: N = refers to how many articles did you review out of the ones found during the search? Answer: If you are reviewing the topic of rapid response teams, and your key words are NP lead RRT, or RN lead RRT or physician let RRT, or hospitalist led RRT and you find 100 articles, but you eliminate 45 because they are not research articles, and only 5 discuss a NP led team for the rapid response, that is what you would indicate as the number of articles reviewed. You will indicate the number of studies included in a meta analysis or systematic review, but that would go into the table, not in the preliminary section.

23. Please note: As long as you identify the authors of the articles used in the critique and include the citation in the reference list you will be fine for the matrix. Just be sure to paraphrase information you put into the table- do not cut/paste into the table. You may have some tables that are longer so the tables may run into the next page at times depending on how much you write.

24. My matrix is not in English!