When a nurse reviews existing literature on a research topic, which step are they taking?

The correct choice is the scientific literature review, which involves a comprehensive examination of existing studies, articles, and papers related to a specific research topic. This process is critical in research as it helps the nurse to gather current knowledge, identify gaps in the literature, and understand the breadth of findings related to their area of interest. The literature review serves as a foundation for formulating a research question, developing hypotheses, or shaping a theoretical framework.

By engaging in a scientific literature review, the nurse can synthesize previous findings, highlight significant trends, and establish a rationale for their own research, ensuring that it is evidence-informed and grounded in current scholarship. Through this process, it also becomes possible to avoid duplication of efforts and build on existing knowledge, thus advancing the field of study.

In contrast, problem statement formulation focuses on articulating a specific issue to be addressed by research; problem area identification pertains to recognizing a general topic or domain where research is needed; and identification of theoretical framework involves selecting theories that will guide the research approach. Each of these steps is important in the research process, but they follow the foundational step of conducting a thorough literature review.