CHCLEG003 : Research and Apply Evidence to Practice Assessment

Note to Student

An overview of all Assessment Tasks relevant to this unit is located in the Unit Study Guide.

PART 1

This section consists of short answer questions. Please answer all questions taking note of word count range and referencing requirements.

1. From your experience in nursing practice, select one (1) relevant, current issue which you think may require change or improvement.

Some examples of topic areas are provided below. You may use your own idea or select one of the examples listed below:

• Mentoring of student nurses
• Handover practices
• Wound care

Using a relevant database (e.g. CINAHL, PubMed, Google Scholar) find one (1)primary research (i.e. describing an actual study) article relating to your chosen topic area.

Ensure that the article is:

• Relevant (related to your topic area and context)
• Current (published within the last ten years)
• From a reputable source (i.e. a peer reviewed journal)

Using APA referencing format, reference the article below and then provide a summary of your article. (Word Count Range: 50-100 words, reference)

The article I chose is- Hagrass, H. M., Ibrahim, S. A. E., Anany, R. I. E., & El-Gazar, H. E. (2023). Effect of an educational program about mentorship competencies on nurse mentors' performance: a quasi-experimental study. BMC nursing, 22(1), 429. 

Mentorship is an important aspect of nursing profession for improving job satisfaction, role transition, and job retention while providing emotional well-being, socialization, and new skills. The selected study evaluated the effect of an education program about mentorship competencies on nurse mentors’ performance at Port Said Healthcare Authority hospitals. A quasi-expermiental study design was used to conduct the research at Port Said Healthcare Authority hospitals. A sample of 30 nurse mentors and 60 intern nurses were selected. Data was then collected suing 3 tools- Mentor Knowledge Questionnaire, Mentor Competencies Instrument (MCI), and Nurse Mentor Performance Assessment. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 via student’s t-test. The authors concluded that structured mentorship training enhances mentor performance and recommended wider implementation of such programs to strengthen nurse education.

1. Provide a rationale for why you used the database you did, to find the article (consider the type of database/journals/articles; the database size; the credibility of the research). (Word Count Range: 50-100 words, reference)

I used google scholar to locate this research paper because it provides access to a wider range of quality articles and healthcare journals, including international publications like BMC Nursing. Google Scholar is freely accessible, has large variety, and easy to filter out the required paper, while ensuring credibility and relevance (Bramer et al., 2016).

Bramer, W. M., Giustini, D., de Jonge, G. B., Holland, L., & Bekhuis, T. (2016). De-duplication of database search results for systematic reviews in EndNote. 

1. Now read the article carefully and using the table below as a guide, complete the relevant sections. A word count guide has been provided for the sections which require a more in-depth response.

What is the research problem/s?

The identified problem was that nurse mentors often lacked knowledge, competence, and training that could help them in assisting and guiding nursing students in clinical practice. This disparity restricted the quality of mentorship, cut off student learning means, and affected the professional growth of the mentors and students. The research focused on the necessity of evidence-based initiatives that will help to improve the mentors' capacity to nurture student growth, professional identity, and effective entry into practice.

What is the research question?

Does an educational program on mentorship competencies improve nurse mentors’ knowledge, competencies, and performance in clinical practice?

Is the research important? Why?

The significance of this research lies in the fact that mentorship is one of the foundations of nursing education and professional growth. Good mentors contribute towards successful bridging into practice and theory of student nurses and the profession as a whole, as a way of building confidence, competence, and retention factors. Lack of systemic support might make mentors fail to offer consistent guidance, a phenomenon that adversely impacts the clinical learning experience of students and their professional identity. This study produces important evidence on how to enhance the outcomes of mentorship by testing a structured mentorship education program. The results point out that not only students but also nursing education systems and the overall quality of healthcare are reinforced through the investment in mentor training, which makes the study very relevant.

What methods were used to conduct the research?

The research design was a one-group quasi-experimental, pre-test and post-test. Validated instruments, including the Mentor Knowledge Questionnaire, Mentor Competencies Instrument, and Nurse Mentor Performance Assessment, were used to collect data on nurse mentors and students. The effectiveness of the programs was tested through statistical analysis of the t-tests, chi-squares, and Cohen's d.

What type of research is this? What is the approach and methodology?

It is a quantitative primary research study in the form of a quasi-experimental study. The approach consisted of pre-test and post-test measures that were structured to measure how knowledge, competencies, and performance of mentors changed after an educational program. Using the statistical method, the study evaluated the significance and the effect size of the gains that could be attributed to the intervention.

Who/what was the study sample?

A sample of 30 nurse mentors and 60 intern nurses were selected in seven hospitals were sampled under the Port Said Healthcare Authority in Egypt.

What are the relevant cultural or ethical issues in this research?

A review board that gave ethical approval was used, and the participants gave informed consent. The research was also respectful to the culture since they customized the evaluation instruments to the Egyptian nursing environment. The ethical integrity of the study retained the confidentiality and anonymity of the participants. The authors also suggested the additional validation of the locally culturally specific mentorship tools.

What are the findings of the research? Are they important?

The research revealed that there were great gains in the knowledge, competencies, and performance of the mentors after the educational program. There was a significant improvement in post-test mean scores, which were statistically significant (p < 0>

What would you do to improve this research?

Further research will need to involve a more representative sample size and in different regions so as to enhance generalisability. Comparisons and causal conclusions would be strengthened by a control group. The sustainability of improvements could be measured with the help of longitudinal follow-up. Also, by including qualitative feedback from the mentors and students, the information about the program's effectiveness and cultural relevance would be more detailed.

PART 2

In this part of the assessment, you will compare and contrast two primary research articles. (You can use the article Part A of this assessment, for one of your comparison articles.)

The aim of this is for you to compare and contrast the research (the topic areas are not relevant).

1. Woods, A., Lotherington, F., Steffensen, P., & Theophilos, T. (2025). Peer-Assisted Learning for First-Year Nursing Student Success and Retention: Findings from a Regional Australian Study. 
2. Rossiter, R., Robinson, T., Cox, R., Collison, L., & Hills, D. (2024). Mentors Supporting Nurses Transitioning to Primary Healthcare Roles: A Practice Improvement Initiative. 

1. Using the table below, compare and contrast the two (2) research articles. Provide a rationale for each section to support your answer (see the example provided).

 

Reliable because it applied a practice improvement framework in real clinical settings, using mixed methods. Reliability is enhanced by being peer-reviewed but still context-specific.

Is the research relevant?

Highly relevant for nursing education, especially for first year students and success in Autralian universities. Highly relevant for professional nursing practice, supporting registered nurses transitioning to primary healthcare roles, addressing workforce shortages.

Nursing Research Case Study

Assessment Overview:
This assessment consists of two parts focusing on nursing practice research and critical appraisal skills:

Part 1: Students are required to select a current, relevant issue in nursing practice that may require improvement (e.g., mentoring of student nurses, handover practices, wound care). They must locate one primary research article using a reputable database, summarize the article, provide a rationale for choosing the database, and critically analyze the research problem, methods, findings, cultural/ethical considerations, and potential improvements.

Part 2: Students compare and contrast two primary research articles (one can be the article from Part 1) to evaluate reliability, relevance, methodology, findings, and contribution to nursing education or practice.

Key Pointers to Cover in the Assessment:

• Selection of a current and relevant nursing issue.

• Search strategy and database selection rationale.

• Article summary including aim, research problem, methodology, and findings.

• Critical appraisal: research question, importance, methods, sample, ethics, cultural considerations, findings, and improvements.

• Comparison of two research articles: reliability, relevance, methodology, and significance.

• Use of APA referencing throughout.

• Word count adherence and proper academic writing style.

Academic Mentor-Guided Approach to Completing the Assessment

Step 1: Topic Selection
The mentor advised selecting a topic that is practical, relevant, and researchable. Mentoring of student nurses was chosen because it directly impacts clinical learning, professional development, and workforce retention.

Step 2: Literature Search
The mentor guided the student to Google Scholar to locate current, peer-reviewed research. Emphasis was placed on:

• Relevance to the topic

• Publication within the last 10 years

• Credibility of the journal

Step 3: Article Summary & Rationale
The student summarized the article by Hagrass et al. (2023), highlighting the aim, study design, sample, methodology, and key findings. The mentor helped link the rationale for using Google Scholar to database credibility, accessibility, and the breadth of healthcare journals.

Step 4: Critical Appraisal
Each section of the appraisal was completed systematically:

• Research problem and question

• Importance of the study

• Research design and methods

• Sample and ethical/cultural considerations

• Key findings and their significance

• Recommendations for research improvements

Step 5: Comparison of Two Articles
The mentor guided the student to select Woods et al. (2025) and Rossiter et al. (2024) for Part 2. Using a structured table, reliability, relevance, methodology, and findings were compared. The mentor emphasized rationales for differences in research context, methods, and implications for nursing practice.

Step 6: Referencing and Final Review
The student was advised to apply APA referencing, cross-check word counts for each section, and ensure academic writing standards. The mentor reviewed each part to ensure clarity, coherence, and coverage of learning objectives, such as:

• Critical appraisal skills

• Research methodology understanding

• Application of evidence-based practice in nursing

• Comparison of research approaches

• Ethical and cultural considerations

Outcome and Learning Objectives Achieved

• The student successfully completed a comprehensive critical appraisal of a primary research article.

• A comparison of two primary research studies provided insights into reliability, relevance, and methodological approaches.

• The student demonstrated evidence-based thinking and understanding of mentorship in nursing practice.

• The assessment enhanced skills in research evaluation, database searching, APA referencing, and professional academic writing.

• Learning objectives such as applying research findings to clinical practice, understanding ethical considerations, and improving mentoring processes were fully addressed.

Unlock Your Academic Success with Trusted Assignment Support

Looking for guidance on your assignments? You can download our sample solution to get insights and ideas. Remember, this sample is for reference only submitting it as your own work may lead to plagiarism issues and academic penalties.

If you want a fully original, plagiarism-free assignment solution, our team of professional academic writers is here to help. Ordering a fresh solution ensures:

• Tailored content to meet your specific requirements

• High-quality, well-researched, and structured assignments

• Proper referencing and formatting according to your academic guidelines

• 100% originality, so you stay safe from plagiarism

Stop worrying about deadlines and start focusing on learning. Ensure your success with work you can confidently submit.

[Download Sample Solution]      [Order Fresh Assignment]