Final answer:
A literature review is an essential component of health systems research and involves conducting a thorough search for existing research, creating an annotated bibliography, identifying related articles, and summarizing and evaluating the literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Health Systems Research: A Literature Review
A literature review is an essential component of any research study, including those focused on quality or operations research applied to health systems. It provides a comprehensive overview of previous research and identifies gaps in the literature that future studies can explore.
Step 1: Conducting a Literature Search
To begin your literature review, start by browsing trade publications and academic journals to get a sense of the existing research in the field. Look for articles that are frequently cited by other researchers, as these are often significant studies.
Step 2: Creating an Annotated Bibliography
Once you have identified relevant articles, create an annotated bibliography using the preferred citation format. This bibliography should include a brief summary of each article and its relevance to your research topic.
Step 3: Identifying Related Articles
Use the articles in your annotated bibliography to find more related sources. Search for publications by the same authors, as researchers often focus on a specific topic throughout their careers. You can also explore the bibliography of the articles you have found to discover additional sources.
Step 4: Summarizing and Evaluating the Literature
In your literature review, summarize the scope of your project, the research idea, and your thesis. Then, provide a summary of the research you discovered, including the appropriate citations for each reference. Finally, compare and contrast the non-scholarly information with the scientific evidence you found, discussing whether the evidence supports your thesis or if amendments are needed.