Tips to help you and frequently asked questions

Use Week 2 activities, online

UTS Library search guide specifically for Evidence for Nursing, and Online discussion board to help you with this assignment.

When searching DO NOT limit to full-text or to nursing journals or to abstracts. This will restrict searches and valuable evidence is very likely to be missed. Remember that you are searching for the BEST AVAILABLE evidence. How can you make a clinical judgement if you don’t know you have seen all the good papers??

Remember to go back to your readings in the text book if you are still struggling with the different types of the PICO.

Referencing and submission

How do I submit this assignment?? Fill in the assessment one template and use this to submit your assignment through turnitin.

To get the database searches into your document you will need to take a screenshot and then copy and paste it in like a picture – see if a friend can show you, or search in the internet for obtaining a quality screen shot/print screen. This must be READABLE!

Do I have to submit a hard copy or cover sheet? No, you don’t. Online submission only.

Can I fill in the PICO worksheet as a word document or do I have to write it by hand? Please complete the electronic word document.

What is a screen shot? This is when you take a picture of the screen from your computer. You can do this by pressing ‘Ctrl+Print Screen’, and then paste it into the ‘Paint’ program. This gives you a record of your search within the database and evidence of your understanding and ability to apply your search plan into a particular setting.

Is there a word limit? No.

Why is it midnight for submission? Because online doesn’t need someone to close the assignment box, so you can have time until midnight

What turnitin percentage should I be aiming for? Don’t worry about the percentage too much for this assessment, there will be a high similarity because of the template and the scenarios. BUT, please don’t just submit the same page as someone else – that is not ok, that is cheating/plagiarism, and we will proceed with a misconduct case if you have exactly the same assignment – you need to use the art of paraphrasing :-)

Do I need to reference? No you don’t need to reference in this assignment.

When is the assignment due? See the assignment instructions

Search questions

How do I find the databases? See the online UTSLibrary search guide in Week 2 Activities

What if I got no results? It probably means you have entered too many terms or you have used limits. It might also mean you are using OR and AND the wrong way. Simplify your strategy to just the key term, remove your limits, and check OR and AND. Also check you haven’t selected Full Text Only – this is never a good idea and you can usually get the full text once you have found the reference.

Assignment content

What is a PICO? See Week 2 activities

What is a systematic search plan? See Week 2 activities

Does the assignment need an introduction? No, just the activities in the worksheets. This is a process assignment – you need to show us you understand and can apply the process.

What if I don’t know how to do the search? Go back to the UTSLibrary search guide in Week 2 where there is a guide to help you. You can also book in and see the librarian through the link in the Week 2 and announcements.

Where can I get help?

The online discussion in Week 2 is designed for you to discuss and receive feedback about your assignment from your peers. This is where you can ask questions for clarification on the assignment as well as discuss your PICO content and search. Research is collaborative so you are encouraged to share your findings with others in this assessment.

UTSLibrary search guide in Week 2 folder