Applying Research Skills
ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW
Overall Purpose
Assessment 2 is designed to evaluate the learner’s ability to apply information literacy and academic research skills to a current healthcare problem. The assessment emphasizes locating credible, peer-reviewed evidence and demonstrating scholarly judgment through an annotated bibliography and reflective synthesis. This assessment establishes foundational research competencies that are required throughout the RN-BSN FlexPath curriculum.
What the Assessment Evaluates
Ability to identify a relevant healthcare problem or issue
Application of library research strategies to locate scholarly sources
Evaluation of credibility, relevance, and timeliness of evidence
Scholarly writing and professional academic tone
Accurate use of APA formatting and citation style
Key Requirements (High-Level)
3–5 page scholarly paper (excluding title and reference pages)
Completion of two Exams
Selection of one approved healthcare issue (Opioid Epidemic or Vaccine Hesitancy)
Use of three current (within 3–5 years), peer-reviewed journal articles
Inclusion of an annotated bibliography in APA format
Reflective summary of learning gained from the research process.
The exam tests the application of research skills essential for success in the BSN program. Emphasis is placed on information literacy, critical appraisal of evidence, ethical scholarship, interprofessional collaboration, and the contextual application of research findings in nursing practice. Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to frame focused clinical questions, evaluate quantitative and qualitative research rigorously, integrate evidence with clinical expertise and patient values, and communicate findings effectively across disciplines. The exam also highlights the importance of avoiding bias, responsibly managing conflicting or incomplete evidence, and ensuring cultural competence and stakeholder engagement. Collectively, these competencies support evidence-based decision-making that improves patient outcomes and healthcare quality. Mastery of these skills prepares BSN students to meet academic assessment standards and to function as reflective, evidence-informed nursing professionals.
Resources
Dusin, J., Melanson, A., & Mische-Lawson, L. (2023). Evidence-based practice models and frameworks in the healthcare setting: a scoping review. BMJ open, 13(5), e071188. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071188 PDF HERE
Maydick-Youngberg, D. , Gabbe, L. , Simmons, G. , Smith, D. , Quimson, E. , Meyerson, E. , Manley-Cullen, C. & Rosenfeld, P. (2021). Assessing Evidence-Based Practice Knowledge: An Innovative Approach by a Nursing Research Council. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 51 (5), 279-286. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001013. PDF HERE
Aquino-Maneja, E., Kim, R. F., Flores, S. L., & Squier, V. R. (2023). Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Quality Improvement Simplified. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 54(1), 40-48. https://doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20221207-09 PDF HERE
Research Strategy
Successful completion of this assessment requires intentional use of the Capella Library. Databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, and ScienceDirect are commonly used. Effective search strategies include the use of focused keywords related to the selected healthcare issue and the application of Boolean operators (AND, OR) to refine results. Filtering for peer-reviewed and recent publications is essential.
Source Evaluation
Learners are expected to assess the credibility of each source by examining:
Peer-review status
Journal reputation
Author expertise and research methodology
Publication date and relevance to current nursing practice
Relevance should be justified by explaining how each article contributes to understanding the selected healthcare issue.
Organization and Writing
Use headings aligned with assessment criteria
Integrate evidence to support analysis, not simply summarize sources
Maintain a formal, scholarly tone
Clearly distinguish between summary, evaluation, and reflection
Common Challenges
Difficulty locating empirical studies rather than opinion articles
Overuse of non-scholarly web sources
Weak explanation of source credibility
APA formatting inconsistencies
The outline below reflects a general FlexPath-style academic structure. It is provided for organizational guidance only and must be adapted to the official assessment instructions.
Sample Outline
Introduction and identification of the healthcare issue
Professional relevance to nursing practice
Description of research and article selection process
Assessment of credibility and relevance of sources
Annotated bibliography (alphabetical order)
Summary of learning and reflection
Capella-Provided Resources
Assessment 2 Example (Faculty reference sample)
BSN Nursing Program Library Research Guide
Capella Writing Center and APA resources
Scholarly Research Resources
Capella Library databases (CINAHL, PubMed)
Peer-reviewed nursing and public health journals
Evidence-based practice guidelines
Other Online Peer-reviewed Resources
Cerdá, M., Krawczyk, N., Hamilton, L., Rudolph, K. E., Friedman, S. R., & Keyes, K. M. (2021). A critical review of the social and behavioral contributions to the overdose epidemic. Annual Review of Public Health, 42, 95–114. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-090419-102727
Ducharme, L. J., Wiley, T. R. A., Mulford, C. F., Su, Z.-I., & Zur, J. B. (2021). Engaging the justice system to address the opioid crisis: The Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN). Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 128, 108307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108307
Wightman, R. S., Perrone, J., Scagos, R., Krieger, M., Nelson, L. S., & Marshall, B. D. L. (2021). Opioid overdose deaths with buprenorphine detected in postmortem toxicology: A retrospective analysis. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 17(1), 10–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-020-00795-3
Do I have to use only Capella Library sources?
Capella Library sources are strongly recommended because they provide access to peer-reviewed and credible academic literature.
Can I reuse this topic in later assessments?
Yes. The selected healthcare issue may be used again in future assessments, making this assessment foundational.
How current should my sources be?
Articles published within the past 3–5 years are typically required unless seminal works are explicitly relevant.
Is the annotated bibliography graded for content or formatting?
Both. Annotations must accurately summarize the article’s purpose, findings, and relevance while adhering to APA formatting requirements.
Need Further Clarification?
If you need clarification on assessment expectations, organization, APA formatting, or interpreting feedback, additional academic guidance may be helpful. Support options are available for learners seeking individualized assistance related to research strategies and scholarly writing.
Click Here