Doing a Literature Review in Nursing, Health and Social Care

Michael Coughlan is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing, Trinity College Dublin, where he has worked since 2002. He is a Registered Nurse Tutor and has been involved in nurse education for nearly 30 years. He has a wide experience in guiding and supervising students undertaking literature reviews and research studies at both an undergraduate and postgraduate level. His interests include research, and haematology and oncology nursing. He has a number of publications in these areas, in addition to co-authoring a number of books on literature reviews and research. Qualifications: MEd, MA, BNS, RPN, RGN, RNT. Patricia Cronin is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin. She is a registered General Nurse and her clinical background is in surgical and gastrointestinal nursing. She has a special interest in theory, and research and systematic review methodologies and considerable expertise in qualitative research methodologies. She is also a contributor and member of the editorial board for an online clinical skills training tool. Her research interests lie in the areas of chronic illness and gastrointestinal health in people with intellectual disability. She has published widely, co-authoring four books and book chapters and journal articles related to clinical skills, gastrointestinal nursing, research and theory. Qualifications: PhD, MSc, MA, BSc Nursing & Education, DipN (Lond), RN.

Praise for the previous edition:′This book is an excellent resource for practitioners wishing to develop their knowledge and understanding of reviewing literature and the processes involved. It uses uncomplicated language to signpost the reader effortlessly through key aspects of research processes. Practitioners will find this an invaluable companion for navigating through evidence to identify quality literature applicable to health and social care practice.′ Gaynor FentonUniversity of Salford, UK ′Students often struggle with writing an effective literature review and this invaluable guide will help to allay their concerns. Key terms are clearly explained, and the inclusion of learning outcomes is a helpful feature for students and lecturers alike.  The examples are also very helpful, particularly for less confident students.  This is an accessible yet authoritative guide which I can thoroughly recommend.′ Patricia PyeBuckinghamshire New University, UK ′A must have - this book provides useful information and guidance to students and professionals alike. It guides the reader through various research methods in a theoretical and pragmatic manner.′ Bronagh Dunning, 4th year Nursing studentTrinity College Dublin, Ireland ′It′s a very readable, concise, and accessible introduction to undertaking a literature review in the field of healthcare. The book’s layout has a logical format which really helped me to think methodically about my research question. An excellent reference for undergraduates who are about to undertake their first literature review.′ Colette Farrell, Nursing studentTrinity College Dublin, Ireland ′This book is an essential resource for students. Clearly written and excellently structured, with helpful study tools throughout, it takes the reader step by step through the literature review process in an easy, informative and accessible manner. This text gives students the skills they need to successfully complete their own review.′ Elaine LehaneUniversity College Cork, Ireland ′The updating of the chapters will be exceptionally helpful given the rapid changes in online availability of resources and open-access literature.′ Rachel RossiterCharles Sturt University, Australia

• Chapter 1: What is a Literature ReviewChapter 2: Types of Literature ReviewChapter 3: Selecting a Review Topic and Searching the LiteratureChapter 4: Reading and Organising the LiteratureChapter 5: Critically Appraising the LiteratureChapter 6: Combining (Synthesising) the ResultsChapter 7: Writing a Literature Review, Plagiarism and Referencing