Leading Change

QI Project: Synthesis of the Relevant Literature, Thesis Statement, & Project Outcomes

Part I: Synthesis of Relevant Literature
Purpose:
Develop a scholarly evidence base to support your Leading Change project by synthesizing relevant literature. A literature synthesis combines key information from different sources to form an integrated summary.
Process:

1. Using the search topics (keywords) you developed for Assignment 1 (or those you have chosen as you have learned more about your project), perform a literature search
   o Select at least 4 peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to your project
   o You may include other supportive information from sources such as professional websites, trade publications, or other mainstream publications
2. Fill out the matrix/grid to organize the main ideas found in each of your sources (a blank matrix template and example are provided in the Weekly Materials, Week 3 folder)
   o As you read your sources, take note of key ideas, including any conflicts or contradictions
   o Tip: key ideas are evidence, concepts, and observations you see repeated in the literature
   o Remember: you will need to include your matrix along with your synthesis
3. Once you have completed your matrix you can begin writing your literature synthesis by organizing your ideas into three sections: introduction, body, conclusion
   o Introduction: Presents your topic
    Provide some background on your topic
    Include a one-sentence statement that sums up the focus of your synthesis
   o Body: Integrates the main ideas related to your topic
    Organize the evidence from your matrix into an informative explanation of the literature supporting your project; usually 2-3 paragraphs
   o Conclusion: Makes a final summary of your main ideas
    Provide a clear connection back to your topic as stated in the introduction
4. Length: Approximately 700 words (not including matrix and references)
5. Use APA 7th edition format
   Literature Synthesis DOs and DON’Ts:
   Do write your Literature Synthesis in the third person (write as if you are the narrator; e.g. he, she, it, they).
   Do keep quoted material to a minimum; paraphrase key ideas from your sources into your own words and use in-text citations.
   Don’t just summarize each of your sources. This is a common error students fall into when writing a synthesis. Remember: a synthesis combines key ideas from several sources into your own explanation of what the literature says about your topic.
   Don’t forget to relate each part of your Literature Synthesis back to your stated topic.

Part II: Thesis Statement, & Project Outcomes

Purpose:
Now that you have synthesized the literature and developed a better understanding of your project, apply the Leading Change Framework to determine your thesis statement and project outcomes (adapted from Skelton-Green, Simpson, and Scott, 2007).

Process: BEING STRATEGIC:
A. What is your thesis statement for the project?

B. What do you envision as the outcomes of this project?
• Write at least 2 measurable project outcomes that would occur if the project is completed successfully. Think of these as the anticipated benefits or services that will be available to the agency/organization as a result of a successfully completed project.
• A good outcome is specific, realistic, measurable. This is the only means of determining whether the outcomes have been achieved.
• Measurement can be through surveys, tests, interviews, chart review, hospital quality data reports, attendance sheets, observations, etc.
C. Use this format to write your goals and outcomes:
The purpose of this project is: ________________________.

Anticipated outcomes of a successful project:

Outcome #1: ____________measured by _______________
Outcome #2: ____________measured by________________
D. Example:
The purpose of this project is to create a patient education checklist for nurses to use when discharging patients diagnosed with heart failure at ABC hospital.
Outcome #1: Decreased number of heart failure readmissions, measured by chart review or through hospital quality data.
Outcome #2: Increased nursing satisfaction with the process of discharging heart failure patients, measured by a survey of nursing staff.
Part II does not require APA format
Submit the completed assignment drop box
Reference: Skelton-Green, J., Simpson, B., Scott, J. (2007). An integrated approach to change leadership. Nursing Leadership, 20 (3), 1-15. doi:10.12927/cjnl.2007.19277