Searching the Literature: What Is Known (and Not Known) About Your Topic?

Abstract

In the previous articles in this series (appearing in the November 2012, March 2013, and May 2013 issues), 1 Wolf LA Carman MJ Henderson D et al. Ten things we might not want to do anymore: how research changes nursing practice. J Emerg Nurs. 2012; 38: 589-591 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar , 2 Wolf LA Carman MJ Henderson D et al. Evaluating evidence for practice. J Emerg Nurs. 2013; 39: 197-199 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar , 3 Carman MJ Wolf LA Henderson D et al. Developing your clinical question: the key to successful research. J Emerg Nurs. 2013; 39: 299-301 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (5) Google Scholar we have discussed how evidence can change practice, how to evaluate evidence, and how to develop a clinical question. At this point in the process, you need to find out more about your problem to create workable interventions. For example, who is the best health care professional to perform triage? This is a good question; however, what do you know about this problem and possible solutions that are already in use? Before you can begin to plan to address a clinical problem, you must know what is known and not known about your particular problem. Mary Kamienski, Member, Northern New Jersey Chapter, is Chair, Primary Care Department, and Associate Professor, Graduate Programs MSN, The University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ. Margaret J. Carman, Member, Cardinal Chapter, is Assistant Professor, Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC. Lisa A. Wolf, Member, Pioneer Valley Chapter, is Director, Institute for Emergency Nursing Research, Emergency Nurses Association, Des Plaines, IL, and Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA. Deborah Henderson, Member, Greater Los Angeles County Chapter, is Associate Professor, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Anne Manton, Member, Mayflower Chapter, is Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Cape Cod Hospital–Cape Psychiatric Center, Hyannis, MA.