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Solving Puzzles tend to think of research like I think of jigsaw puzzles: frustrating but fun, intimidating but intriguing, aggravating but addicting. Each study presents a piece of information that allows us to assemble knowledge the way we assemble a jigsaw puzzle. Both science and puzzles can be approached logically, using the bits of information available to construct a big picture. The approach is systematic, not random. When solving puzzles, it is satisfying to take stock periodically of how much progress has been made. Literature reviews serve this purpose for scientists who need to identify the next step in a line of inquiry and for clinicians who use the knowledge generated by research to serve patients. A good review article is a valuable contribution to the nursing literature. A literature review presents knowledge in an organized and easily accessible way. Literature reviews link the past with the future: They summarize what we have learned and point the way to what needs to be learned. If review articles are so useful, then why are few published in nursing journals? JOGNNs editorial board members recently grappled with this question and are enthusiastically inviting authors to submit review articles. We desire manuscripts that evaluate printed material and offer specific suggestions for nursing practice or research. Effective literature reviews have a purpose. The author must specify what question is to be asked of the literature and then organize the review to answer that question. For example, in this issue, Kelley, Galbraith, and Vermund posed the following question: How can knowledge about genital human papillomavirus infection (HPV) in women help clinicians be effective in the primary prevention of HPV, as well as facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of cervical neoplasms? This question allowed the authors to focus their re-

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view on defining the problem, summarizing what is known and what is not known, identifying ways to address the current clinical problem, and suggesting directions for research. Using this approach, they have written a review article that instructs those of us who are not familiar with current knowledge about HPV. Once an author has identified the question to be asked of the literature or the purpose for compiling a review, then he or she must state the methods for selecting studies and abstracting data. Most authors select studies from those published in professional journals, excluding unpublished theses and other material difficult to locate. Selecting studies in this manner is efficient, but may bias the review, because published studies are more likely than unpublished studies to have statistically significant results. If the author explicitly states the selection criteria, then readers can evaluate them for potential bias. Similarly, methods used to ensure the quality of the information extracted from the primary articles must be disclosed. Components of the review article should be arranged logically rather than chronologically (American Psychological Association, 1990). A good author follows a trail of clues to answer the question being asked of the literature. For each step along the trail, the author cites pertinent findings from the literature. The article is, therefore, not a serial listing of all relevant work but rather summarizes what is known and leads the reader to answers. Knowledge builds cumulatively. Each study in the literature should help us, like a piece in a jigsaw puzzle, to solve a problem. Assembling the pieces to complete the puzzle is painstaking work. Good literature reviews organize pieces of knowledge in a meaningful way, allowing us to see the big picture and stimulating us to take further action. Karen B. Haller, RN,PhD Editor

Reference American Psychological Association. (1990). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Volume 21 Number G

Solving problems.

1.: I) I 'I' 0 K I A Solving Puzzles tend to think of research like I think of jigsaw puzzles: frustrating but fun, intimidating but intriguing, aggr...
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