Capstone Project Milestone #1:
Guidelines and Rubric
PURPOSE
Clear identification of the problem or opportunity is the first step in evidence-based nursing. This first milestone offers two tools to assist in the identification and gathering of evidence to link the problem, proposed intervention, and desired outcomes. Completion of the milestone will include identification of the problem or concern using the PICOT format and a literature search to find evidence to support an intervention that will change the outcomes.
COURSE OUTCOMES
This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:
CO4 Develops and outlines a scientific, systematic decision-making process to integrate critical thinking with clinical judgment to assure safe and effective outcomes. (PO #4)
CO8 Selects evidence for best practice when planning professional nursing care for individuals, families, aggregates, and communities. (PO #8)
DUE DATE
Milestone #1 consists of the completion of one worksheet that contains to parts (i.e., the PICOT portion and the Literature Search portion). Submit the worksheet with the two portions completed to the Dropbox by the end of Week 2.
POINTS
This milestone is worth 200 points (100 for each portion of the worksheet).
DIRECTIONS
1. Read this document including the grading rubrics below.
2. Download the PICOT/Literature Search Worksheet from Doc Sharing.Consider what is the nursing problem or issue that you have uncovered. Make sure it is related to a nursing, i.e., one that a nurse can solve independently. Do not select a medical problem that is dependent upon a medical professional to resolve. Completion of this portion of the worksheet will offer a tool for your literature search.
3. For theLiterature Search portion of the worksheet, find AT LEAST SIX (6)studies to support the need for change and the potential intervention you have selected to solve the problem.
4. Submit the completed PICOT/Literature Search worksheet to the Week 2 Dropbox.See the Week 2 Assignments page for step-by-step instructions on how to submit to the Dropbox.
GRADING CRITERIA: PICOT PORTION OF THE WORKSHEET
Category Points % Description
Question, PICOT elements, focus 35 35% Population or nursing problem is identified with key search terms noted as the PICOT elements. Focus of the question is noted. Problem can be solved as an independent nursing decision.
Search Techniques 35 35% At least 3 appropriate databases are identified. Subject headings are noted. Limits applied do not eliminate potential findings by using such items as “full text only.
Re-focus or expand search 30 30% Identifies approach to re-focus or expand search if initial results do not produce satisfactory results such as the use of Boolean operators.
Total 100 points 100%
GRADING RUBRIC: PICOT PORTION OF THE WORKSHEET
Assignment Criteria Outstanding or Highest Level of Performance
A (92-100%) Very Good or High Level of Performance
B (84-91%) Competent or Satisfactory Level of Performance
C (76-83%) Poor or Failing or Unsatisfactory Level of Performance
F (0-75%) Total
Question, PICOT elements, focus Population or nursing problem is identified with key search terms noted as the PICOT elements. Focus of the question is noted. Problem can be solved as an independent nursing decision.
32-35 Question may lack clear identification of the problem. PICOT search terms are not clearly identified. Focus of question is noted. Problem can be solved as an independent nursing decision.
29-31 Question is vague and does not include all needed elements to identify PICOT key search terms. Not all the PICOT terms are specific. Focus is vague. Problem is partially nursing focused.
26-28 Question is missing the needed elements to identify PICOT key search terms. PICOT terms are missing. Focus is missing. Problem is not one that the independent role of the nurse can resolve.
0-25 /35
Search Techniques At least 3 appropriate databases are identified. Subject headings are noted. Limits applied do not eliminate potential findings by using such items as “full text only.”
32-35 At least 2 appropriate databases are identified. Subject headings are limited. Limits applied do not eliminate potential findings by using such items as “full text only.”
29-31 At least one appropriate database is identified. Subject headings are not specified. Limits applied do not eliminate potential findings by using such items as “full text only.”
26-28 Databases are not identified. Subject headings not specified. Limits are not appropriate or missing.
0-25 /35
Re-focus or expand search Identifies approach to re-focus or expand search if initial results do not produce satisfactory results such as the use of Boolean operators.
28-30 Identifies approach to re-focus or expand search if initial results are not satisfactory.
25-27 Approach to re-focus or expand search if initial results are not satisfactory are vague.
23-24 Does not identify approach to re-focus or expand search process.
0-22 /30 Total Points /100

GRADING CRITERIA: LITERATURE SEARCH PORTION OF THE WORKSHEET
Category Points % Description
Brief description 35 35% Describes the research in own words and its relevance to the project problem, intervention, or desired outcomes.
Study Outcomes 35 35% Evaluates the study outcomes as to whether or not outcomes can be generalized and can only be used as a guide.
Type of research 30 30% Identifies the type of study and discusses why this type of research is significant to this project. Identifies at least six peer-reviewed articles.
Total 100 points 100%

GRADING RUBRIC: LITERATURE SEARCH PORTION OF THE WORKSHEET
Assignment Criteria Outstanding or Highest Level of Performance
A (92-100%) Very Good or High Level of Performance
B (84-91%) Competent or Satisfactory Level of Performance
C (76-83%) Poor or Failing or Unsatisfactory Level of Performance
D-F (0-75%) Total
Brief description Describes the research in own words and its relevance to the project problem, intervention, or desired outcomes.
32-35 Describes the research in own words; however, the relevance to the problem, intervention, and/or outcomes is vague.
29-31 Uses the author’s description (properly cited) rather than to summarize in own words. Relevance to the problem, intervention, and/or outcomes is missing
26-28 Description of the research is limited (or copied from the author without proper citation) and it is difficult to see relevance to project.
0-25 /35
Study Outcomes Evaluates the study outcomes as to whether or not outcomes can be generalized and can only be used as a guide.
32-35 Evaluates the study outcomes as to whether or not outcomes can only be used as a guide.
29-31 Use’s the author’s evaluation and recommendation (properly cited) but does not determine if the outcomes can be generalized to other populations.
26-28 Evaluation and recommendation is vague (or copied from the author without proper citation) and it is not clear how the study supports the project problem or intervention.
0-25 /35
Type of research Identifies the type of study and discusses why this type of research is significant to this project. Identifies at least six peer-reviewed articles.
28-30 Identifies the type of study and discusses why this type of research is significant to the project. Identifies at five-four peer-reviewed articles.
25-27 Does not clearly identify type of study, if it is peer-reviewed, and/or applicability to project.
23-24 Type of research is not noted. Peer-review is not noted. Discussion of how study applies to project is missing.
0-22 /30 Total Points /100