A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a unique number assigned to journal articles, eBooks, and other academic works.
Steps to find a DOI:
- Look on the first page of the journal article (top or bottom).
- Check the citation info in the database (EBSCO, ProQuest, etc.).
- Use the free CrossRef lookup tool:
https://www.crossref.org/
DOI Example: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2020.117074
APA (7th edition) is the citation style used in nursing and health sciences.
✅ In-text citation examples:
- Narrative: According to Smith (2021), nurses improve patient outcomes.
- Parenthetical: Nurses improve care quality (Smith, 2021).
✅ Reference list examples:
- Book: Smith, J. (2020). Nursing ethics in practice. Blue Horizon Press.
- Journal: Brown, L. (2021). Patient safety in ICUs. Journal of Nursing, 45(2), 122–130. https://doi.org/10.1234/jn.2021.045
- Website: World Health Organization. (2022). Nursing and midwifery. https://www.who.int/nursing
👉 Use this APA generator: https://www.scribbr.com/apa-citation-generator
✅ Steps:
- Go to the Library Database Search page.
- Use keywords (e.g., pressure ulcers, nursing leadership).
- Select the filter: “Peer-reviewed” or “Scholarly journals.”
- Check for an abstract, author credentials, and references.
✅ Recommended Databases:
- CINAHL
- PubMed
- ProQuest Nursing
A systematic review summarizes results from multiple research studies.
✅ Steps:
- In the database, type your topic (e.g., infection control).
- Add the words: “systematic review”
- Filter by publication type or article type.
- Look for labels like “Systematic Review” in the title or abstract.
🔎 Best database: PubMed or Cochrane Library
✅ Steps:
- Go to the Library Databases A–Z list.
- Click on “Journals” or “Find a Journal”.
- Type the exact name of the journal (e.g., Nursing Outlook).
Click on the journal title to browse or search within it.
✅ Tips:
- Use keywords like “nursing theory”, “Jean Watson”, or “Orem’s Self-Care Theory.”
- Try combining theory names with practice areas: Watson AND patient care.
- Use textbooks or eBooks on nursing theorists.
✅ Recommended sources:
- Nursing Theories: A Framework for Professional Practice
Library eBook collection > Nursing Theories
Check the Methods or Abstract section of the article.
✅ Quantitative studies use:
- Numbers, statistics, measurable data
- Surveys, experiments, charts
✅ Qualitative studies use:
- Words, observations, interviews
- Themes, narratives, case studies
🧠 Tip: If the study uses numbers → it’s quantitative; if it uses experiences or open-ended questions → it’s qualitative
