Conclusive Evidence That Hand Washing Cuts down Cross Infection - Literature review Example

 IS THERE ANY CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE THAT HAND WASHING CUTS DOWN CROSS INFECTION The subject to be researched is "Is there any conclusive evidence that hand washing cuts down cross infection?"This question will drive the rest of the literature review, therefore will sit at the center of the strategy." Literature Reviewing the existing literature related to you study is a critical step in the process of research. All researchers build their work upon others work, hence the need for research. The literature to be used consists of all written sources that one finds available. This information continues to grow as there are at least 6,000 new scientific articles every day. That doubles scientific knowledge every 5 years (Burns & Grove, 2007). The literature review itself is considered a written presentation of what has been published on a specific topic by scholars. The objective not to make a long list of information but to synthesize information gained from the literature. There are two type of literature that is used in a literature review. That is empirical and theoretical. In the case of this study a review of both types of literature will occur. Defining the search can be the most difficult step. The first part of that step is to decide on sources that are relevant to your subject. Today, good libraries provide access to a number of electronic databases that supply a tremendous number of subjects. Developing a search strategy becomes a written plan which will save considerable time later. Search Strategy 1. Start with the widest possible interpretation of the topic. In the case of our subject we will start with the whole question and enter it under a Boolean search. This will give an idea of the extent of the literature that is available. 2. Select Databases. The most relevant databases for this particular subject are: CINAHL( Index of nursing and Allied Health literature), contains literature published since 1955; Index Medicus (IM)first published in 1879 and is now one of the oldest healthcare databases. It includes citations of nursing publications with a number of nursing journals; Nursing Studies Index developed by Virginia Henderson and consists of citations of nursing literature from 1890-1959; The National Library of Medicine with free access to several databases including MEDLINE and PubMed and OVID which is a service that must be paid for but accesses multiple bibliographical databases. In the case of this study, CINAHL, Index Medicus, MEDLINE, PubMed and OVID will be used. 3. Select Keywords. These words are meant to show the concepts of the study in fewer words. In this case, the selection of key words would look like this: hand washing, infection, spread of infection, hand washing in hospital, cross-contamination, evidence on hand washing, and hand washing evidence. 4. Systematically record references and search information 5. Performing a complex search-This can be done using Boolean, vocational labels and position operators. Operators allow a grouping of ideas, a selection of places to search and ways to show relationships. Boolean operators are AND, OR and NOT. AND and NOT are used when you have two identical concepts and AND for when you want to search for two or more terms. 6. Be sure to place limits on the search. In the case of this study, we would want to review articles that were 10 years or less old, were peer reviewed, and in scholarly full text articles. 7. Read and critique sources found--Focus on understanding major concepts, logical flow of the information and then highlight in some way those concepts that interest you or make notes in the margin. 8. Synthesize sources---Synthesis means to clarify the meaning that was obtained from the source as a whole. 9. Write the review of literature. THE PLAN Search the following databases CINAHL, Index Medicus, Pub Med, MEDLINE, and OVID Search Terms "Is there any conclusive evidence that hand washing cuts down cross infection?" Hand washing evidence Hand washing and cross infection Cross infection Hand washing and cross infection Prevention of cross infection Evidence of prevention of cross infection Limits Limit articles to the last 10 years Limit articles that are about infection but not hand washing Limit use of alcohol washes Review Review articles that were found in this search Question about articles that were found under this search but did not meet criteria Review reference lists for hints of recent research not found Record on documentation what articles were found, a brief description of them, and which data bases they were found in. Do you have enough breadth in the search or do you need to search some more? Synthesize the research found and retained and then write the review. Works Cited Burns & Grove 2007.The Practice of Nursing Research 5th ed. Elsevier: Philadelphia: Cornell University Library 2010. Research Strategy, The seven steps to research. http://onlistres.library.cornell.edu. Byrine E. 2009. Environmental design library. Designing a research design. http://www.lib.berkely.edu Read More