Locating and Critically Analyzing Primary Research Articles
Introduction
Articles can be examined in many ways. These include synthesis and summary techniques, among others. The two techniques provide different ways of understanding articles. Moreover, they help students to acquire essential skills in analysis of articles. This paper will explore two primary research articles.
Summary of the articles
In the first article, the authors provided a critical analysis of significant concepts that concerned evidence-based nursing (EBN). The authors began by providing a reason for their research. They argued that nurses had failed to apply evidence-based practice as required. They also claimed that nurses had inadequate understanding of how to put evidence into practice. They used these concepts to establish a workable definition for use in nursing practice. To achieve this, they undertook an in-depth literature review. They utilized 83 articles on EBN, EBP and EBM. They also utilized Grove and Burn’s approach to review and categorize the concepts. They concluded that EBN was distinct and nurses needed to be made aware of it and effective utilization (Scott & McSherry, 2009, pp. 1085-1095).
In the second article, the authors tried to explore literature review on actions of professional nursing associations (PNA) concerning their support for evidence-based practice (EBN). They began by establishing the importance of professional nursing associations in implementing and achieving EBN. Moreover, they utilized various databases from 1994 to 2004 to establish a trend of professional nursing associations’ actions. In the process, sixty organizations were found to have supported EBN in 179 occasions. Essentially, it was noted that professional nursing association were fore front in promoting EBN among nurses. However, it was also noted that such promotions only majored on nursing attitudes and varying competences (Holleman, Eliens, Van-Vliet & Van-Achterberg, 2006, pp. 702-709).
Synthesis of the articles
The two articles were vastly researched as shown in the number of articles utilized for their analysis. For instance, the first article utilized 83 articles while the second article managed to establish 179 activities from 60 professional nursing associations. Moreover, both articles established the underlying importance of EBN in nursing profession. Apart from recognizing the fact that nurses needed to understand EBN fully (as shown in the first article), the authors also established the role of professional nursing associations in promoting EBN (as shown in the second article). While the first article provided vivid differences between EBN and EBM as well as differences between EBN and EBP, the second article emphasized the need for professional nursing associations to focus on other approaches of EBN. These included behavior oriented and involuntary involvement approaches, among others (Holleman, Eliens, Van-Vliet & Van-Achterberg, 2006, pp. 702-709).
Difference between summarizing and synthesizing research
There exist several differences between summarizing and synthesizing articles. For instance, summarizing involves providing brief information of important parts of the article summarized. On the other hand, synthesizing involves going deeper than summary. It involves critical analysis of information to show clear understanding of the article. In essence, summarizing restates central points of an article while synthesizing allows for combination of ideas to promote evolved understanding of information. That is, summarizing does not provide in depth analysis of text but synthesizing does. Additionally, synthesizing does not only restate vital parts of information but it also combines its ideas to bring out an operational meaning.
Conclusion
Summarizing an article involves restating of essential parts of that article. On the other hand, synthesizing an article involves not only restating significant parts of the article but also combining its ideas for a better understanding. The two articles explored provided significant information on the importance of practicing evidence-based nursing in nursing environment.
References
Holleman, G., Eliens, A., Van-Vliet, M., & Van-Achterberg, T. (2006). Promotion of evidence-based practice by professional nursing associations: literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53(6), 702-709.
Scott, K. & McSherry, R. (2009). Evidence-based nursing: clarifying the concepts for nurses in practice. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18(8), 1085-1095.