Efficacy of mental health screenings

• Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates are expected to apply research findings and integrate nursing science into evidence-based practice. To develop your skills in this high level of nursing practice, you will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a research study over the next several weeks using the concepts presented throughout the course.

• A brief, 1- to a 2-paragraph overview of the study that you selected.

• An explanation of two to three strengths of the study and support for your selection (i.e., why is this a strength?). Be specific.
• An explanation of two to three weaknesses of the study and support for your selection (i.e., why is this a weakness?). Be specific.

• Note: The strengths and weaknesses that you identified should be in relation to design, sampling, data collection, statistical analysis, results, and discussion of the study that you selected.

• An explanation of proposed changes that you would recommend to improve the quality of the study, capitalizing on the strengths and improving on the weaknesses that you identified in the study. Be specific and provide examples.
• A final summary of the implications of this study for nursing practice.

The purpose of the analysis is to help you develop a deeper understanding of the research process, to inspire you to think critically and deeply about research on a specific topic and strengthen your ability to integrate research findings into evidence-based nursing practice. This Assignment also gives you practice in analyzing the research literature, which will support you when you begin your Doctor of Nursing Practice project. Before you proceed, please review the rubric for this Assignment.

The Assignment: (5–7 pages)

• Select a research article from the body of literature that you have reviewed related to the practice gap you have identified and for which you will develop for your DNP Project.
• Review the various quantitative research designs presented in the textbook readings and research articles.
• Consider the research design used in your selected article. Ask yourself the following questions.
  • Is the design appropriate for the study? Why or why not?
  • Would a different design provide better results? Why or why not?

Research Topic: What is the efficacy of mental health screenings in community high school students as part of the annual evaluation compared to high school students who are not screened annually in the identification of academic performance (grade point average) and school attendance?

Population – high school students

Intervention – annual mental health screenings

Comparison – no annual mental health screenings

Outcome – academic performance (grade point average) and school attendance