A 6000-word literature review project, which critically analyses and evaluates one aspect of professional practice relevant to Mental Health Nursing.

Topic: A literature review of nursing handovers and the effectiveness of improving patient care.
Assessment Details
TYPE OF ASSESSMENT: Literature Review
DESCRIPTION OF ASSESSMENT: A 6000-word literature review project, which
critically analyses and evaluates one aspect of professional practice relevant to
Mental Health Nursing.
You are required to:
• Use literature relevant to your own area of professional practice (Mental Health
Nursing).
• Demonstrate a thorough and systematic understanding of research
• processes and critiquing skills throughout the review and present the
• findings in a critical, coherent and structured manner.
• Develop and utilise information and communication technology in order to
maintain an understanding of recent innovations and developments in care
• Based on evidence outlined, evaluate professional practice in the context
• of multi professional and client centred care in order to identify professional,
legal and ethical implications.
• You are to use between 10 -12 primary research.
• Research question (PICO)
• Your project will be marked against the Level 6 grading criteria.
PROJECT PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
Page Numbering: Pages should be numbered, 1 onwards from first page of text
(after abstract), in the centre and at the foot of each page and should continue to the
end, including appendices.
Paper size and spacing: A4 paper to be used, typed on one side only,
Reference list- please ensure line spacing between references; Appendices- single
line spacing if possible.
There should be
a) A title page, which contains the title of the review, your student I D number,
the degree for which the project is submitted and the date of submission,
word count, School of Health Sciences
b) An abstract of no more than 200 words (not included in word limit) which
includes an outline of the topic reviewed, the scope of the review in terms
of breadth of the literature search, a summary of the main issues
addressed and arising, conclusions drawn and recommendations for
further investigation, and practice development.
c) Acknowledgements to organizations, funding bodies (if appropriate),
supervisors, advisors and others who have contributed to the review.
d) A table of contents with chapter headings and sub-headings, references,
and appendices.
e) The main review, divided into appropriate chapters, references, and
appendices (see below).
The Literature Search The literature search was performed using?
What was your inclusion and exclusion criteria?
How did you determine the process of elimination? this needs to be clearing discussed as to
why some papers were included and some not.
The focus of your search is literature articles. You should be demonstrating how different
papers were included and excluded.
When your key papers are identified, you then move to doing the matrix by using the CASP
tool.
Following this you will identify key themes which will help your answer your research
question. Chapter 2 should be discussion of the key themes that came out of your search.
The following chapters should be included:
Chapter 1. Introduction
This section should outline the rationale, aims and objectives of the review.
Background information to the topic reviewed should be provided. The
topic/question should be clearly introduced and set within the theoretical /
philosophical context of your area of study. For example, how does it relate to the
degree studies you are undertaking? Why is it necessary to undertake the
review? Key writers in the field must be included to provide a contextual
background for your review
The aims and objectives for your review must be clearly stated.
Parameters set for the literature search should be explained (e.g. time limits
relating to the year of publication of the papers reviewed, and language limitations
relating to the search, databases searched, key words used and hits achieved).
N.B –Allocate approximately 200 words to the parameter section of this chapter
Key search terms used (and where relevant MESH terms), including combinations
should be identified; the databases searched, and number of hits achieved should
be provided. The inclusion and exclusion criteria for the studies considered for
the review should also be identified. (This can be tabulated and placed within the
appendices if required).(Chapter 1 – approximately 1000 words).
Chapter 2. Critical Review of the Literature
This chapter should be organised according to the themes. Such themes should
emerge from the primary research gathered for your review and should be
discussed individually. In order to make this manageable it is likely that you will
have a minimum of two and a maximum of 3 themes or trends; where more
themes emerged you will discuss this in your introduction and give a rationale for
why you’ve chosen the themes selected for discussion.
When discussing your themes, you will necessarily make reference to the studies
you selected for inclusion in your review. However, you should also draw on wider
literature to determine whether the same themes/trends are apparent – this helps
you to demonstrate that you are able to synthesise and apply your knowledge.
Relevant research-based evidence should be described and critically discussed.
The quality of the discussion is particularly important. You should attempt a critical
analysis, which is both coherent and balanced.
You are required to demonstrate a thorough and systematic understanding of
research processes by clearly identifying strengths and weaknesses of
methodologies/approaches used by authors whose work have been reviewed.
The chapter should end with a summary (Chapter 2. approximately 4000 words).
Chapter 3. Conclusion
Your conclusion should begin by summarising the key issues that led to the review
and the themes that arose. Based on your discussion in chapter two, you should
now be able to draw some overall conclusions within the context of your
professional practice. Implications and recommendations for future practice
should also be identified. The limitation of the review needs to be acknowledged.
(Chapter 3. Approximately 1000 words).
References
All materials must be correctly and completely referenced according to accepted
School of Health referencing system.
Appendices -Must include:
1- A matrix which provides an overview of individual research papers reviewed.
2- Supervision record of contact time with your allocated supervisor.
3-Your presentation slides
4-Any material pertinent to, but not immediately necessary to the review, may
be included as an appendix (but be sparing)