NURS-FPX4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills – Step-by-Step Guide With Example Answer
The first step before starting to write the NURS-FPX4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills is to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment.
It is also important to identify the paper’s audience and purpose, as this will help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, review its use, including writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review the formatting requirements for the title page and headings in the paper, as outlined by Capella University.
How to Research and Prepare for NURS-FPX4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills
The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify a list of keywords related to your topic using various combinations. The first step is to visit the Capella University library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from the Capella University Library, PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last 5 years and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, such as APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list.
You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next, create a detailed outline of the paper to help you develop headings and subheadings for the content. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.
How to Write the Introduction for NURS-FPX4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills
The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part, as it helps provide the context of your work and determines whether the reader will be interested in reading through to the end. Begin with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.
How to Write the Body for NURS-FPX4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills
The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence collected from the research, and ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance, as well as how it relates to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between paragraphs by using transition words and a flow of ideas.
How to Write the In-text Citations for NURS-FPX4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills
In-text citations help readers give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their work. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:
“The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Morelli et al. (2024), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Alawiye (2024) highlights that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.”
How to Write the Conclusion for NURS-FPX4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills
When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restating your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. Conclude with a call to action that leaves a lasting impression on the reader or offers recommendations.
How to Format the Reference List for NURS-FPX4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills
The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically, and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication.
Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:
References
Morelli, S., Daniele, C., D’Avenio, G., Grigioni, M., & Giansanti, D. (2024). Optimizing telehealth: Leveraging Key Performance Indicators for enhanced telehealth and digital healthcare outcomes (Telemechron Study). Healthcare, 12(13), 1319. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131319
Alawiye, T. (2024). The impact of digital technology on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks, 13, 13-22. 10.4236/etsn.2024.132002.
NURS-FPX4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills and Exam Instructions
Create a written assessment, including an annotated bibliography section, to document your research on a healthcare problem or an issue faced by current healthcare organizations.
Introduction
In your professional life, you will need to find credible evidence to support your decisions and plans of action. You will want to keep abreast of best practices to help your organization adapt to the ever-changing healthcare environment. Being adept at research helps you find the information you need. This assessment gives you practice with that skill by having you research a healthcare problem or issue faced by current healthcare organizations.
Overview
You will select a current healthcare problem or issue from the provided options for this assessment. Research your topic, and develop a written assessment, which includes an annotated bibliography to document your resources.
Reminder: You will use your selected problem or issue again in upcoming assessments. The purpose of this assessment is to ensure you know how to research topics and find credible references to use in your assessments. Part of the assessment is an annotated bibliography. The purpose of an annotated bibliography is to document a list of research references, along with key information about each; the detail about the reference is the annotation. Developing this annotated bibliography will create a foundation of knowledge about your chosen problem or issue.
Prepare
Conduct research in the Capella library to find a total of three scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles in relation to a selected healthcare problem or issue presented in the Assessment 02 Supplement: Applying Research Skills [PDF] Download Assessment 02 Supplement: Applying Research Skills [PDF]resource. You must select your healthcare-related issue or problem from the topic areas presented in this resource.
Important Note: Conduct a library search as needed. Review the BSN Nursing Program Library Research Guide for assistance. Be sure to review journal articles published within the past three to five years.
Write Your Paper
Write a 3–5 page paper in which you include the following:
Topic Identification
Select one of the healthcare problems or issues presented in the Assessment 02 Supplement: Applying Research Skills [PDF] Download Assessment 02 Supplement: Applying Research Skills [PDF] resource. Write a brief overview of the healthcare problem or issue. In your overview:
- Summarize the healthcare problem or issue, including describing its professional relevance.
- Describe your interest in the problem or issue.
- Describe any professional experience you have with this topic.
Discussion of Research
Discuss your research and selection process for each of the three journal articles you have chosen to include in your annotated bibliography.
- Describe your process of applying library research skills to identify the journal articles relevant to the healthcare problem or issue you are researching.
- Identify the keywords you used to select the articles.
- Describe the criteria you used to select the resources, including the names of the databases you used.
- What was the process like to locate relevant articles?
- Assess the credibility of the information sources.
- Determine whether each resource is from an academic, peer-reviewed journal.
- Determine whether the publication is current (published within the last 3–5 years).
- Determine whether information in the academic peer-reviewed journal article is still relevant.
- Assess the relevance of the information sources.
- Explain how the healthcare problem or issue is addressed in each source.
- Discuss what kind of contribution each resource provides.
Annotated Bibliography
Summarize each of the three current academic, peer-reviewed journal articles you chose, using the annotated bibliography organizational format. The purpose of an annotated bibliography is to document a list of references along with key information about each one. The detail about the reference is the annotation. Developing this annotated bibliography will create a foundation of knowledge about the selected topic. In your annotated bibliography:
- List each full reference in APA format, followed immediately by its annotation.
- Present your three current, annotated references in alphabetical order, according to the reference citation.
- Double-space each reference and format it with a hanging indent.
- Provide the full APA reference citation, including the author, date, title, publisher or publication, and any additional information required by APA style.
- Write the annotation (summary) for each citation in paragraph form, using approximately 150 words (or 1–3 paragraphs) for each citation. Make sure to cite the article in your summary. Include the following components for each annotation:
- Identify the purpose of the article.
- Summarize the article.
- Include the conclusions and findings of the article.
Summary
In a separate paragraph or two at the end of the paper, summarize what you learned from the process of developing the annotated bibliography.
Academic Requirements
Your academic writing is expected to conform to the following requirements:
- Writing: Produce text with minimal grammar, usage, spelling, and mechanical errors.
- Sources: Integrate into text appropriate use of current scholarly sources, evidence, and citation style. Use the Evidence and APA guidelines provided. Cite the reference in its summary.
- Formatting: Include a title page and reference page, Times New Roman, 12 point.
- Length: Complete no more than 3–5 typed, double-spaced pages, in addition to the title page and reference page.
- References: Although you are citing your three scholarly or academic peer-reviewed journal articles within the Annotated Bibliography section of this paper, be sure to also list your citations on a reference page at the end of your paper, along with any other resources you may have included.
Example assessment: You may use the Assessment 2 Example [PDF] to give you an idea of what a Proficient or higher rating on the scoring guide would look like.
Submit your paper as an attached Microsoft Word document.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
- Competency 1: Apply information literacy and library research skills to obtain scholarly information in the field of healthcare.
- Summarize a healthcare problem or issue, including describing its professional relevance.
- Describe the process for selecting academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to a healthcare problem or issue being researched.
- Summarize what was learned from developing an annotated bibliography as it relates to the topic and the ability to use the annotated bibliography process for future assessments.
- Competency 2: Apply scholarly information through critical thinking to solve problems in the field of healthcare.
- Assess the credibility and relevance of information sources.
- Summarize academic peer-reviewed journal articles using the annotated bibliography organizational format.
- Competency 5: Write for a specific audience, in an appropriate tone and style, in accordance with Capella writing standards.
- Produce text with minimal grammatical, usage, spelling, and mechanical errors.
- Apply APA formatting to in-text citations and references.
Sample Approach to NURS-FPX4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills and Exam
Applying Research Skills
Nurses play a critical role in evidence-based practice and finding credible evidence to support decisions and action plans. Therefore, being adept with the library and research skills necessary to identify, appraise, and apply evidence to practice is essential. This paper identifies and summarizes a healthcare issue, describes the process for selecting academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to the problem, assesses the credibility and relevance of information sources, and summarizes academic peer-reviewed journal articles using an annotated bibliography.
Healthcare Problem Identification and Professional Relevance
The selected healthcare issue is the aging population and geriatric care. The proportion of older adults in society has increased, posing challenges in providing adequate healthcare services based on the older patients’ population needs. Considering that older people need healthcare services related to managing different chronic illnesses that are highly prevalent in this population, the healthcare system has had an increased need for geriatric care services and ensuring healthcare facilities are age-friendly. Other healthcare challenges associated with aging include cognitive decline, functional decline, polypharmacy issues, and mental health concerns (Jakovljevic et al., 2023).
Aina et al. (2021) note that geriatric care, like other care specialties, suffers from general healthcare systemic challenges, such as strain from the increased demand for long-term care, workforce shortages, economic burden due to rising healthcare costs, and inadequate care models to address the complex needs of older adults. Therefore, the issue holds significant professional relevance since addressing the aging population and geriatric care needs is vital in improving health outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing the quality of life for older adults. For instance, healthcare workers are expected to develop geriatric competence, advocate for age-friendly care models, and adopt a holistic approach to meet the complex needs of this growing population.
Academic Peer-Reviewed Articles Selection Process
I employed a structured process to compile literature from academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to an aging population and geriatric care. The process had four steps: definition of the research question, identification of keywords/search terms, database selection, and application of search filters. First, I identified the aspects of the aging population and geriatric care (chronic disease management) and formulated a research question to guide the search. The question is: What interventions improve chronic disease management among the aging population?
The search terms I identified include aging population, chronic disease management, effective interventions, and geriatric care. Through the Capella Library, I used Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases to locate relevant evidence. I employed Boolean operators “and” and “or” to refine the search results further and applied time range and full-text availability search filters. Among the barriers I encountered in the literature search were access restriction of full-text articles and information overload due to overwhelmingly large search results.
Credibility and Relevance Assessment
It is important to assess the credibility and relevance of identified sources to ensure that only quality evidence is used. I employed the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (CRAAP) test framework to ensure my sources were credible and relevant. For currency, I ensured the sources were published recently (within the last five years) and had up-to-date information, while for Relevance, I ensured the articles met the research question needs.
For Authority, I assessed the author’s expertise based on the needed research information; for Accuracy, I ensured the information was accurate and supported by credible and relevant data. Finally, I ensured the articles were published to inform the readers and that the authors had clarified the study’s intentions. Among the assumptions for using the CRAAP criteria for determining the relevance and credibility of a source include that the authors’ expertise translates to credibility and determines the reliability of the information and that information published for research or educational purposes is more reliable.
Annotated Bibliography
Lan, Y. L., & Chen, H. C. (2022). Telehealth care system for chronic disease management of middle-aged and older adults in remote areas. Health Informatics Journal, 28(4), 14604582221141835. https://doi.org/10.1177/14604582221141835
Lan and Chen (2022) examine a telehealthcare system for managing chronic diseases among middle-aged and older adults in remote areas. The study is relevant to the aging population and geriatric care since most elderly patients have chronic illnesses, and those residing in remote areas may face challenges to geriatric care access. Integrating the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Information System Success Model (ISSM), the study found that information, system, and service quality positively influence perceived ease of use and usefulness, leading to increased telehealth adoption (Lan & Chen, 2022).
The results indicate that telehealth improves access to healthcare and patient satisfaction for middle-aged and elderly adults with chronic diseases, improving their outcomes and well-being. However, the study has gaps, such as limited generalizability beyond the study area and insufficient examination of long-term health outcomes and digital literacy challenges among older adults. Despite these gaps, the study highlights the potential benefits of telehealth in managing chronic diseases in underserved populations.
Islam, K., Rana, M. J., Ahmed, S., Sultana, M., Hasan, T., & Jahan, S. N. (2025). Exploring the health issues, nutritional well-being, and food security of the elderly population in Bangladesh. Bioresearch Communications, 11(1), 1769-1779. https://doi.org/10.3329/brc.v11i1.78891
This study examined the health issues, nutritional status, and food security among elderly individuals in rural Bangladesh. The study employed cross-sectional data to assess anthropometric measures, morbidity profiles, and food security levels for study participants. This study is relevant to the research topic, aging population and geriatric care, since it identifies common health issues affecting the aging population, including the impact on geriatric care access. According to Islam et al. (2025), the major healthcare issues among the elderly were malnourishment, musculoskeletal pain, hypertension, and visual impairment.
In addition, the study found that nutritional deficiencies were associated with socio-economic vulnerabilities such as low income, widowhood, and limited education. Therefore, the study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve nutrition, healthcare access, and food security for older adults. However, the study did not address the mental health implications of malnutrition and chronic diseases among older adults, which are often intertwined with physical health. Another area of uncertainty is whether expanding the geographic scope and exploring long-term health outcomes would enhance the generalizability of the findings.
Carrarini, C., Russo, M., Dono, F., Barbone, F., Rispoli, M. G., Ferri, L., Di Pietro, M., Digiovanni, A., Ajdinaj, P., Speranza, R., Granzotto, A., Frazzini, V., Thomas, A., Pilotto, A., Padovani, A., Onofrj, M., Sensi, S. L., & Bonanni, L. (2021). Agitation and dementia: Prevention and treatment strategies in acute and chronic conditions. Frontiers in Neurology, 12, 644317. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.644317
Carrarini et al. (2021) examined strategies for preventing and managing agitation in dementia, a prevalent condition among the aging population. The study emphasizes non-pharmacological interventions as the primary approach, including person-centered care and sensory therapies to enhance the quality of life for older adults with chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacological treatments, such as antipsychotics, are recommended only when behavioral disturbances threaten patient safety (Carrarini et al., 2021).
The study also emphasizes the significance of innovative care environments like “Delirium Rooms” for hospitalized older patients, highlighting how hospitalization and medication changes can trigger agitation, hence the need for specialized geriatric care approaches. One of the study’s gaps is that it does not thoroughly address caregiver training’s role in agitation management or integrating community-based care models to support aging populations. Expanding research on the aspect could enhance dementia care for the aging population.
Summary/Reflection on Developing the Annotated Bibliography
The three peer-reviewed academic journal articles provided varied insights demonstrating the challenges and interventions related to geriatric care, all emphasizing the need to use favorable approaches to improve outcomes for the aging population. Lan and Chen (2022) found telehealth a promising solution for managing chronic diseases among older adults in remote areas. Carrarini et al. (2021) highlighted agitation as a key issue in dementia care and reinforced the value of non-pharmacological interventions and specialized hospital units to improve geriatric care and outcomes for the elderly.
Finally, Islam et al. (2025) emphasized the critical role of nutrition and food security in older adults’ health and well-being. Developing the annotated bibliography has enabled me to appreciate the role of identifying credible and relevant evidence in developing evidence-based practices and spotting research gaps, which would help generate future research ideas, such as exploring caregiver roles or cultural considerations in geriatric care. Additionally, the annotation entries provide ready information for easy comprehension. I intend to apply the lessons learned in future to support evidence-based recommendations easily, incorporate research in care approaches, especially for older adults, and develop interventions to improve geriatric care.
References
Aina, F. O., Fadare, J. O., Deji-Dada, O. O., & Agbesanwa, T. A. (2021). Increasing burden of aging population on health services utilization: A myth or reality in a country with a predominantly young population. Aging Medicine and Healthcare, 12, 41-45. https://doi.org/10.33879/AMH.XXX.2020.07023
Carrarini, C., Russo, M., Dono, F., Barbone, F., Rispoli, M. G., Ferri, L., Di Pietro, M., Digiovanni, A., Ajdinaj, P., Speranza, R., Granzotto, A., Frazzini, V., Thomas, A., Pilotto, A., Padovani, A., Onofrj, M., Sensi, S. L., & Bonanni, L. (2021). Agitation and dementia: Prevention and treatment strategies in acute and chronic conditions. Frontiers in Neurology, 12, 644317. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.644317
Islam, K., Rana, M. J., Ahmed, S., Sultana, M., Hasan, T., & Jahan, S. N. (2025). Exploring the health issues, nutritional well-being, and food security of the elderly population in Bangladesh. Bioresearch Communications, 11(1), 1769-1779. https://doi.org/10.3329/brc.v11i1.78891
Jakovljevic, M., Kumagai, N., & Ogura, S. (2023). Editorial: Global population aging – Health care, social and economic consequences, volume II. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1184950. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1184950
Lan, Y. L., & Chen, H. C. (2022). Telehealth care system for chronic disease management of middle-aged and older adults in remote areas. Health Informatics Journal, 28(4), 14604582221141835. https://doi.org/10.1177/14604582221141835