EPIDEMIOLOGY & POPULATION HEALTH
SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS AND META-ANALYSES
INTRODUCTION
In everyday life, reviews are often used to assess the quality of products in the marketplace. Information on a product is compiled from many sources, and then an overall assessment is made. In research, too, there are methods for identifying and synthesizing the existing evidence from primary research on a topic, known as systematic reviews. In the hierarchy of evidence—the foundation of evidence-based practice—high-quality systematic reviews are placed at the top of the hierarchy and are considered excellent sources of evidence because they summarize or combine findings from multiple studies.
This week you focus on systematic reviews generally, as well as one specific type of systematic review, the meta-analysis. You will explore the validity of the use of these techniques, as well as their strengths and limitations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will:
- Analyze the validity of the use of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in epidemiological research
- Analyze systematic review and meta-analysis epidemiological study designs
- Explain how epidemiologic information can be utilized in evidence-based nursing practice
THE ASSIGNMENT:
META-ANALYSES
In epidemiology, meta-analyses are becoming a common research design. They are also “the most frequently cited form of clinical research,” and as such are an important type of study for the advanced practice nurse to be familiar with (Haidich, 2010).
For this Assignment, you will analyze a meta-analysis article and consider the implications of this research design for nursing practice, building on this week’s Discussion.
Reference:
Haidich, A. B. (2010). Meta-analysis in medical research. Hippokratia, 14(Suppl. 1), 29–37. https://www.hippokratia.gr/images/PDF/14Sup1/699.pdf
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
LEARNING RESOURCES
Required Readings
- Driscoll, A., Grant, M. J., Carroll, D., Dalton, S., Deaton, C., Jones, I., Lehwaldt, D., McKee, G., Munyombwe, T., & Astin, F. (2018). The effect of nurse-to-patient ratios on nurse-sensitive patient outcomes in acute specialist units: A systematic review and meta-analysisLinks to an external site. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 17(1), 6–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/1474515117721561
- Seidler, A. L., Hunter, K. E., Cheyne, S., Berlin, J. A., Ghersi, D., & Askie, L. M. (2020). Prospective meta-analyses and Cochrane’s role in embracing next-generation methodologiesLinks to an external site.. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10, ED000145. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.ED000145
- Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., McGuinness, L. A., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviewsLinks to an external site.. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 134, 178–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.03.001
- Haidich, A. B. (2010). Meta-analysis in medical researchLinks to an external site.. Hippokratia, 14(Suppl. 1), 29–37. https://www.hippokratia.gr/images/PDF/14Sup1/699.pdf
- Melnyk, B. M., Kelly, S. A., Stephens, J., Dhakal, K., McGovern, C., Tucker, S., Hoying, J., McRae, K., Ault, S., Spurlock, E., & Bird, S. B. (2020). Interventions to improve mental health, well-being, physical health, and lifestyle behaviors in physicians and nurses: A systematic reviewLinks to an external site.. American Journal of Health Promotion, 34(8), 929–941. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117120920451
- Siddaway, A. P., Wood, A. M., & Hedges, L. V. (2019). How to do a systematic review: A best practice guide for conducting and reporting narrative reviews, meta-analyses, and meta-synthesesLinks to an external site. Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 747–770. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-102803
TO PREPARE:
- Using the Walden Library, locate a peer-reviewed article that utilizes a meta-analysis design and examines a population health topic that interests you. Your article must be a meta-analysis specifically, not just a systematic review.
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THE ASSIGNMENT:
In 2–3 pages, not including title page and references, address the following:
- Identify your selected article. Explain what characteristics make this a meta-analysis.
- Were the inclusion and exclusion criteria clearly stated? How were the articles that were included selected? Do you agree with the researchers’ approach? Explain why or why not.
- Do you agree with the conclusions? Explain why or why not.
- Explain how you could apply implications from the study to your nursing practice.
Rubric
| NURS_8310_Week8_Assignment_Rubric | ||||||
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIn 2–3 pages, not including title page and references, address the following:Identify your selected article. Explain what characteristics make this a meta-analysis. |
|
20 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWere the inclusion and exclusion criteria clearly stated? How were the articles that were included selected? Do you agree with the researchers’ approach? Explain why or why not. |
|
20 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDo you agree with the conclusions? Explain why or why not. |
|
20 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeExplain how you could apply implications from the study to your nursing practice. |
|
25 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting—Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well-developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused—neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria. |
|
5 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting—English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation |
|
5 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting: The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. |
|
5 pts | ||||
| Total Points: 100 | ||||||
