Literature Evaluation and Review (Undone)

Question 1

What is literature review?

Answer 1

Literature evaluation refers to the process of critically assessing and analyzing published scientific and academic materials to determine their validity, relevance, quality, and applicability to a particular field of study or problem.

It involves examining a study’s methodology, data, results, and conclusions to ensure they are accurate, reliable, and aligned with the intended purpose.

Question 2

Why is literature review essential?

Answer 2

Literature review is important for identifying issues such as:
- inappropriate study design
- flawed methodologies
- misinterpretation of findings
- selective or inaccurate referencing
- erroneous conclusions
- scientific misconduct
- insufficient expertise in study design or statistical analysis by peer reviewers

because these factors can significantly impact the quality, reliability and applicability of published research.

Question 3

Why must a pharmacist develop literature review skills?

Answer 3

To determine which information to incorporate into their clinical practice.

Question 4

Tertiary references are often the starting point for identifying information. Why is this?

Answer 4

This is because they typically provide a fairly complete overview of information on a specific topic.
They references are convenient, easy to use, and familiar to most pharmacists.

Question 5

What is the most significant limitation of tertiary references?

Answer 5

Lag time for publication.

Question 6

Limitations of tertiary references include:

Answer 6

• Lag time for publication
• Author bias
• Inaccurate information
• Lack of author expertise

Question 7

Mention the essential considerations in evaluating tertiary literature.

Answer 7

• Expertise of the author
• Purpose of the book (textbook)
• Content
• Edition and year of publication
• References cited
• Ease of use
• Format – textbook, digital or ebook
• Potential bias

For tertiary references that provide a DI focus, the user should consider the type of drugs included in the reference, the drug’s country of origin, the types of
information reported, and organisation of content.

Question 8

Users will often prefer one reference over another based on information organisation, such as:

Answer 8

Tables, appendices, or special sections.

Question 9

______ is the foundation for clinical practice by providing data that enables evidence-based decision-making

Answer 9

Primary literature