Discussion: Analyzing Primary Research Articles

Developing the skills to locate, analyze, and critically assess primary research articles is fundamental to both your academic success and professional advancement. The ability to search databases effectively, understand research methodologies, and apply findings to your practice area allows you to contribute meaningfully to your field. This assignment students to engage with primary research articles, apply critical thinking, and synthesize new insights that are relevant to your practice area.

Below, we provide an example assignment—“Analyzing Primary Research Articles”—that demonstrates our expertise in helping students complete these complex tasks successfully. We also offer valuable tips and guidance to help you navigate through similar assignments.

Discussion: Analyzing Primary Research Articles

Locating and Critically Analyzing Primary Research Articles

Developing the proficiency to locate, read, and evaluate research articles is essential to your success in this doctoral program and your career. With this Assignment, you have the opportunity to become familiar with the Walden Library by searching the databases, reviewing resources, and downloading full-text articles. You are asked to think critically as you do this, keeping in mind that as a doctoral candidate you must be able to enhance your profession’s body of knowledge by synthesizing what you have learned into new insights and applying them in meaningful ways within the practice environment (as a DNP-prepared nurse) or engaging in original research (as a PhD-prepared nurse).

To prepare:

Participate in or review an archived version of the following Walden Library Webinars:

• Introduction to the Walden Library
• Evaluating Online Resources
• An Introduction to Evidence-Based Searching

Then search the Walden Library and locate two peer-reviewed primary research articles that pertain to your practice area and are of particular interest to you.

By Day 7

To complete: By Wednesday, write a 4-paragraph APA-formatted paper with 4 references from the list below addressing the following:

1. Write a 1-paragraph summary of each of the articles you have selected (a total of 2 paragraphs). 
2. Write 1 paragraph that synthesizes the two articles using a scholarly voice.
3. Write a final paragraph in which you discuss the differences between summarizing and synthesizing research.

P.S. Include an Introduction ending with a purpose statement (e.g. the purpose of this paper is…), and a conclusion.

Required Readings

• Walden Library. (2014). Publication Comparison Chart. Retrieved from: http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/peerreviewvsscholarly
• Eaton, S. E. (2010). Reading strategies: Differences between summarizing and synthesizing [Blog post]. Literacy, Languages and Leadership. Retrieved from http://drsaraheaton.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/reading-strategies-differneces-between-summarizing-and-synthesizing/
• Institutional Review Board for Ethical Standards in Research: IRB Office Hours and meetings. Retrieved January 15, 2014, from http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/Institutional-Review-Board-for-Ethical-Standards-in-Research.htm
• Walden University Library. (2014). Webinar archives. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/webinararchives

Evaluating Online Resources

• Walden University. (2011). Student publications: Code of conduct. Retrieved from http://catalog.waldenu.edu/
• Murphy, J. (2011). The nursing informatics workforce: who are they and what do they do?. Nursing Economic$, 29(3), 150-153.
• Collins, S., Po-Yin, Y., Phillips, A., & Kennedy, M. K. (2017). Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment for the Nurse Leader. Journal of Nursing Administration, 47(4), 212-218. doi:10.1097/NNA.0000000000000467

Required Media

• Laureate Education (Producer). (2012b). Introduction to scholarly writing: Finding a scholarly voice[Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
• Laureate Education (Producer). (2012c). Introduction to scholarly writing: Plagiarism and academic integrity [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
• Laureate Education (Producer). (2012d). Introduction to scholarly writing: Purpose, audience, and evidence [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
• Laureate Education (Producer). (2012e). Introduction to scholarly writing: Tips for success [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

You must proofread your paper. But do not strictly rely on your computer’s spell-checker and grammar-checker; failure to do so indicates a lack of effort on your part and you can expect your grade to suffer accordingly. Papers with numerous misspelled words and grammatical mistakes will be penalized. Read over your paper – in silence and then aloud – before handing it in and make corrections as necessary. Often it is advantageous to have a friend proofread your paper for obvious errors. Handwritten corrections are preferable to uncorrected mistakes.

Use a standard 10 to 12 point (10 to 12 characters per inch) typeface. Smaller or compressed type and papers with small margins or single-spacing are hard to read. It is better to let your essay run over the recommended number of pages than to try to compress it into fewer pages.

Likewise, large type, large margins, large indentations, triple-spacing, increased leading (space between lines), increased kerning (space between letters), and any other such attempts at “padding” to increase the length of a paper are unacceptable, wasteful of trees, and will not fool your professor.

The paper must be neatly formatted, double-spaced with a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, and sides of each page. When submitting hard copy, be sure to use white paper and print out using dark ink. If it is hard to read your essay, it will also be hard to follow your argument.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS

Discussion Questions (DQ)

Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.

Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.

One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.

I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.

Weekly Participation

Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.

In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.

Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).

Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.

APA Format and Writing Quality

Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).

Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.

I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.

Use of Direct Quotes

I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.

As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.

It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.

LopesWrite Policy

For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.

Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.

Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in

LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.

Late Policy

The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.

Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.

If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.

I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.

As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.

Communication

Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:

• Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
• Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.

Get Expert Help to Perfect Your Research Article Analysis

When it comes to mastering the analysis of primary research articles, you don't have to do it alone. Our expert assistance can help you:

• Identify Key Articles: We’ll help you select the most relevant, peer-reviewed primary research articles for your area of study.
• Craft Well-Structured Summaries and Syntheses: With our guidance, your article summaries will be clear and precise, while your synthesis will demonstrate deep understanding and critical thinking.
• Perfect Your Writing: We offer professional writing support to ensure your paper is coherent and APA-compliant.
• Meet Deadlines & Boost Grades: With our assistance, you’ll be able to submit your work on time, confidently meeting all assignment criteria and boosting your grades.

Let us handle the details, so you can focus on achieving the best results in your doctoral program. Reach out for professional help to guarantee an outstanding submission.