Nursing Literature Reviews: A Reflection

by Martin Lipscomb

Overview

Literature reviews are undertaken by students, researchers, clinicians and educationalists – that is, almost all nurses.

Despite much excellent work, exploring the assumptions and practices that constitute searching for and reviewing literature has merit, and prompting those who undertake these activities to think critically about what it is that they are doing should be encouraged. Widely adopted approaches to structuring reviews (the "standard model") can detrimentally limit the scope or range of literature that is accessed and appraised. It is further proposed that a lack of professional ambition or confidence invests aspects of the way some nurses engage with the sources that are available to them. Across the book, parochialism is challenged. The crucial roles that values and judgement play in reviews are highlighted. It is argued that humanities and arts texts deserve, potentially, a bigger or more assured place in reviews undertaken by nurses. Difficulties in appraising quantitative and qualitative research reports are identified, and benefits linked with taking a contemplative line through the review process are considered.

This book contributes to debates around evidence-based practice and literature reviews more generally. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in professional issues, research, and the philosophy and sociology of nursing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781351812696
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/19/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	184
File size:	660 KB

About the Author

Martin Lipscomb is a Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Health and Society, University of Worcester, UK.

Table of Contents

1. Introductory harrumphing

2. Two types of question

3. Conceptual muddle – an ordinary search (part I)

4. Beliefs and values – an ordinary search (part II)

5. Nursing and non-nursing sources – an ordinary search (part III)

6. Reviewing quantitative research

7. Reviewing qualitative research

8. The final curtain

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Lynne M. Kuhl, MSN, RN (Viterbo University)
Description: This review was cowritten by Martha Scheckel, PhD, RN, Viterbo College of Nursing

This book is a provocative exploration about assumptions and practices of a nursing literature search and appraisal. It critiques the standard model of nursing literature reviews, asserting they are reductionistic in nature and obscure the value integrating the humanities, arts, and other non-nursing relevant sources of knowledge. The author includes bullet points at the start of each chapter to convey key messages, uses engaging headings, and integrates well-known scholarly works for a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon at hand.
Purpose: The purpose is to overcome the standard model of a nursing literature review, which the book infers is a "parochialism" that eliminates other ways to complete one. The author emphasizes contemplation as an important approach that prevents the incessant and consistent need to answer a question, instead allowing for openness to the possibilities that deviation from a standard model can bring to improving nursing practice. In this way, the author describes the book as a "personal" work and nonconventional approach. The book is dense, offering a balanced debate of foundational philosophy and principles of a nursing literature review. To this end, the author's goal is achieved. It is not the intention of the book to be a "how-to" or guide; rather, it is meant to cause readers to pause and reflect, considering the assumptions and practices surrounding literature location and appraisal.
Audience: The intended audience includes those in academics or graduate students who are "already familiar with the basic principles involved in searching for and reviewing literature." This inference is accurate as the content is at a high level and challenging to read. The author is credible. He describes his rich career history in a non-nursing and nursing field as well as his academic history. Those he acknowledges point to his involvement and association with experts in his field, lending even more credibility to the book.
Features: The book is a surprising and challenging read. However, the author provides many clarifying sentences using "that is" and divides content by stating, "first, second, third." This approach enables readers to better grasp the complex material and move through it in an organized manner. A table of contents, index, and reference list further assist organization, as does a careful read of the preface and first chapter, which offer an introduction and outline for the later chapters. While the author alludes to the value of integrative reviews and content included in nursing journals such as Nursing Ethics, a more in-depth integration and explication of these sources could have facilitated practical application of the author's intent to overcome the parochial approach to nursing literature reviews. In addition, the author could acknowledge and detail advances in interprofessional work in nursing that transcends disciplinary boundaries.
Assessment: This book provides a scholarly view of the nursing literature review. The author's writing style can make reading an enjoyable challenge, but this may be by intent, and, resultantly, the book can be hard to put down. By slowing down and considering or reflecting on the poignant ideas, readers can reconsider the purpose, process, and results of a nursing literature review. The philosophical undertones of the book provide a platform to challenge assumptions, a process for discussion, and a call for academic colleagues or graduate students to consider the debate around evidence-based practice. The message of contemplation should not be taken lightly but serve as a call to broaden nursing practice in the search and appraisal of literature to include more than nursing literature. This is a compelling and timely book as nursing continues to advance and recognizes value in thinking that is more than quantitative in nature.

Doody's Review Service

"Nursing Literature Reviews explores important ideas on the nature of scholarship and evidence in healthcare. Martin addresses key issues facing the nursing academy. This is a valuable resource for any graduate nursing programme." — Professor Bernie Garrett, The University of British Columbia, Canada

"An important book on an important topic, and a thoroughly enjoyable read." — John Paley, Visiting Fellow, Sheffield Hallam University, UK

"An incredibly valuable contribution to the literature." — Professor Barbara Pesut, The University of British Columbia, Canada

"Timely and much-needed and, as usual, beautifully written and deeply engaging (well, it engaged me anyway)." — Gary Rolfe, Emeritus Professor of Nursing, Swansea University, UK

"The literature review has become ubiquitous in nursing yet, as Lipscomb details in this comprehensive investigation into the genre, it is neither simple nor susceptible to formulaic execution. On the contrary, the literature review is often underappreciated as a highly complex and intellectually demanding activity that should not be taken lightly. This book is a must-read for anyone with serious intentions regarding undertaking or supervising a literature review." — Associate Professor Derek Sellman, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, Editor-in-Chief Nursing Philosophy and Director of the Unit for Philosophical Nursing Research

"In this intriguing book, Lipscomb takes up the practice of literature review within nursing. He walks us through some of the current debates and positions in a manner that allows for a critically reflective consideration of what it means to engage with literature in the modern context. I consider this book required reading for graduate students. Not only will it inform their thinking with respect to research and scholarly projects, it will also entice them into a more philosophical conversation that allows for reflection on how knowledge works within an applied practice discipline such as ours." — Professor Sally Thorne, Editor-in-Chief Nursing Inquiry, The University of British Columbia, Canada

"This clever book works the miracle of making literature reviewing a fascinating and subversive activity. It is shot through with barely concealed mischievousness. Lipscomb uses the apparently prosaic opportunity provided by literature searching to deal with a host of intriguing and important debates in the profession. Setting out to merrily challenge his academic colleagues, Lipscomb’s number one enemy is parochialism." — Professor Michael Traynor, Middlesex University, UK

"Nursing Literature Reviews explores important ideas on the nature of scholarship and evidence in healthcare. Martin addresses key issues facing the nursing academy. This is a valuable resource for any graduate nursing programme." — Professor Bernie Garrett, The University of British Columbia, Canada.

"An important book on an important topic, and a thoroughly enjoyable read." — Visiting Fellow John Paley, Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

"An incredibly valuable contribution to the literature." — Professor Barbara Pesut, The University of British Columbia, Canada

"Timely and much-needed and, as usual, beautifully written and deeply engaging (well, it engaged me anyway)." — Emeritus Professor of Nursing Gary Rolfe, Swansea University, UK.

"The literature review has become ubiquitous in nursing yet, as Lipscomb details in this comprehensive investigation into the genre, it is neither simple nor susceptible to formulaic execution. On the contrary, the literature review is often underappreciated as a highly complex and intellectually demanding activity that should not be taken lightly. This book is a must read for anyone with serious intentions regarding undertaking or supervising a literature review." — Associate Professor Derek Sellman, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, Editor-in-Chief Nursing Philosophy and Director of the Unit for Philosophical Nursing Research.

"In this intriguing book, Lipscomb takes up the practice of literature review within nursing. He walks us through some of the current debates and positions in a manner that allows for a critically reflective consideration of what it means to engage with literature in the modern context. I consider this book required reading for graduate students. Not only will it inform their thinking with respect to research and scholarly projects; it will also entice them into a more philosophical conversation that allows for reflection on how knowledge works within an applied practice discipline such as ours." — Professor Sally Thorne, Editor-in-Chief Nursing Inquiry, The University of British Columbia, Canada.

"This clever book works the miracle of making literature reviewing a fascinating and subversive activity. It is shot through with barely concealed mischievousness. Lipscomb uses the apparently prosaic opportunity provided by literature searching to deal with a host of intriguing and important debates in the profession. Setting out to merrily challenge his academic colleagues, Lipscomb’s number one enemy is parochialism." — Professor Michael Traynor, Middlesex University, UK.

From the Publisher