Empirical research is the foundation of scholarly research and scholarly writing. An empirical article is defined as one that reports actual results of a research study. An empirical article includes a description of the study, an introduction, a research question, an explanation of the study’s methodology, a presentation of the results of the study, and a conclusion that discusses the results and suggests topics for further study.

As you search the library for scholarly research, you should limit your search to identify empirical articles. (You can use the “Empirical Research Checklist” from DNP-801 to assist in this determination.) After finding an empirical study, begin to assess the validity of the conclusion by determining if the conclusion answers the proposed research question and if the methodology is appropriate.

As you move forward in your doctoral journey, you will read research papers that will require you to assess the validity of the studies in question. To accomplish this, qualitative assessments about the research must be made by comparing, contrasting, and synthesizing what the research says.

In this assignment, you will continue to develop the skill of writing, by reviewing 15 research articles associated with your chosen topic and using the content to identify at least five major concepts and subthemes related to your topic.

General Requirements:

Use the following information to ensure successful completion of this assignment:

• Use      the “Empirical Research Checklist” to assist in the      determination of empirical articles.
• Use      the “Research Article Chart” to provide a summary review of each      component of your assignment.
• Doctoral      learners are required to use APA style for their writing assignments. The      APA Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center.
• This      assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the      assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful      completion.
• You      are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the      directions in the Student Success Center.

Directions:

Part 1: Selection of 15 Articles 

Select 15 empirical articles related to your PICOT question. Use the “Empirical Research Checklist” worksheet to ensure that each article you select meets all of the established criteria. At least one article must demonstrate a quantitative methodology.

Clinical/PICOT Question: 

In Patients > 65 years of age with central line catheters, how does staff training of key personnel and reinforcement of central line catheter hub hygiene after its insertion, along with the apt cleansing of the insertion site, reduce the incidence of CLABSIs (Central Line Associated Blood-stream Infections) at a level two trauma facility compared to standard care over a one-month period? 

P: Patients > 65 years of age with a central line

I: Staff training and reinforcement of central catheter, hub hygiene 

C: Compared to standard care 

O: Reduce the incidence of CLABSIs (Central Line Associated Blood-stream Infections)

T: A period of one-month

Part 2: Research Article Chart

Using the articles acquired in Part 1, provide a summary review of each component using the “Research Article Chart” template.

Part 3: Synthesis of Research Studies

Based upon your review of the 15 research articles, identify at least five major concepts that relate to your project topic, and three subthemes related to each concept.  

Using the information from the completed “Research Article Chart,” and the major concepts and subthemes you have identified, write a 2,000-3,000 word paper that synthesizes the content of the 15 research studies.

Summarize each major concept and focus on providing a detailed synthesis of the three identified subthemes that support that concept by addressing the following.

1. Introduction      of the identified subtheme
2. Summary      of the research questions posed by the studies
3. Summary      of the sample populations used
4. Summary      of the limitations of the studies
5. Summary      of the conclusion and recommendations for further research