Health Sciences Literature Review Made Easy : The Matrix Method

by Garrard, Judith, Ph.D.

• ISBN13: 9780763740047
• ISBN10: 0763740047
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-08-24
• Publisher: Jones & Bartlett

Summary

This text helps students and practitioners better understand scientific literature by instilling the essential skills (via the matrix method) needed to critically evaluate article findings. The fundamental principles of searching, organizing, reviewing, and synthesizing are covered at the most basic level. Visual examples and a single case study are woven throughout the text. This easy-to-read and practical reference is an invaluable aid to students, researchers, and practitioners. Received a Perfect Score from Doody Enterprises, Inc. Review Service!

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xiii
PART I FUNDAMENTALS OF A LITERATURE REVIEW	1	(60)
Chapter 1 Introduction	3	(26)
Review of the Literature	4	(1)
Beyond Index Cards	4	(2)
To Own the Literature	6	(1)
Research Synthesis: Historical Perspective	7	(9)
The Matrix Method: Definition and Overview	16	(2)
Review Matrix: A Versatile Tool	18	(1)
Overview of Chapters and Appendix	19	(3)
References to Websites	22	(1)
Caroline's Quest: Understanding the Process	23	(6)
Chapter 2 Basic Concepts	29	(32)
Source Materials Defined	30	(1)
Different Kinds of Source Materials	30	(7)
Anatomy of a Scientific Paper—Finding Out What You Need in a Typical Research Paper	37	(5)
Guidelines for a Methodological Review of the Literature	42	(15)
Caroline's Quest: Learning the Concepts	57	(4)
PART II THE MATRIX METHOD	61	(80)
Chapter 3 Paper Trail: How to Plan and Manage a Search of the Literature	63	(36)
What Is a Paper Trail?	64	(1)
How to Create a Paper Trail	64	(3)
How to Find Source Materials: Creating and Using a Paper Trail	67	(17)
Tips on Searching for Source Documents	84	(4)
Caroline's Quest: Managing the Search	88	(11)
Chapter 4 Documents Section: How to Select and Organize Documents for Review	99	(8)
How to Select the Right Documents for Your Review	100	(1)
What Is a Documents Section?	101	(1)
How to Organize a Documents Section	102	(1)
How to Remember Where You Put the Documents	103	(2)
Caroline's Quest: Assembling a Documents Section	105	(2)
Chapter 5 Review Matrix: How to Abstract the Research Literature	107	(22)
What Is a Review Matrix?	108	(1)
How to Construct a Review Matrix	109	(1)
How to Arrange Documents for Use in a Review Matrix	110	(1)
How to Choose Column Topics for a Review Matrix	110	(4)
How to Abstract Documents in a Review Matrix	114	(6)
Fringe Benefits of the Abstracting Process	120	(3)
Caroline's Quest: Constructing a Review Matrix	123	(6)
Chapter 6 Synthesis: How to Use a Review Matrix to Write a Synthesis	129	(12)
What Is a Synthesis?	130	(1)
How to Use a Review Matrix to Write a Synthesis	131	(6)
Caroline's Quest: Writing a Synthesis	137	(4)
PART III APPLICATIONS USING THE MATRIX METHOD	141	(40)
Chapter 7 A Library of Lit Review Books	143	(6)
What Is a Library of Lit Review Books?	144	(1)
How to Create a Library of Lit Review Books	144	(1)
How to Use a Library of Lit Review Books	145	(2)
Caroline's Quest: Building a Library of Lit Review Books	147	(2)
Chapter 8 The Matrix Indexing System	149	(14)
What Is the Matrix Indexing System?	150	(1)
How to Set Up a Matrix Indexing System	150	(8)
How to Update a Literature Review Efficiently	158	(2)
Caroline's Quest: Using the Matrix Indexing System	160	(3)
Chapter 9 Matrix Applications by Health Sciences Professionals	163	(18)
What Are Matrix Applications?	164	(1)
How to Use Matrix Applications in a Research Project	165	(2)
How to Use Matrix Applications in a Meta-Analysis	167	(1)
How to Use Matrix Applications in Developing Clinical Practice Guidelines	168	(2)
How to Use Matrix Applications in Evidence-Based Medicine	170	(3)
Caroline's Quest: Matrix Applications in a Nonscientific Setting	173	(8)
Appendix Useful Resources for Literature Reviews	181	(12)
Index	193	(6)
About the Author	199