The Best Available Evidence: Assessing the Quality of Nursing Students’ Bibliographies

Authors

  • David Brown University of York http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7668-4750
  • Ted Hewitt University of York
  • Devi Nannen University of York
  • Jessica Powell University of York
  • Anita Savage Grainge University of York

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18552/joaw.v8i1.398

Keywords:

citation analysis, student writing, referencing, academic integrity, bibliographies

Abstract

Librarians and academic staff suggest a relationship between the quality of references which students use in academic assignments and the marks received. This study tested that assertion by using a citation analysis methodology to assess the quality of bibliographies written by undergraduate nursing students at the University of York.

Bibliographies from sixty essays across three modules were analysed, noting the types and quantities of references used and whether references were sourced independently or included in the module’s reading list. Each bibliography was given an overall quality rating: ‘Poor’, ‘Average’ or ‘Good’. This rating was compared with the mark the student was awarded for the essay.

Results showed that, whilst students demonstrated the ability to locate items independently, the quality of those items was often poor. Generally, quality of selected sources and bibliographies improved as students progressed through the programme. There was an association between higher quality bibliographies and higher assignment marks.

The study concludes that critical thinking skills are vital for nursing students to develop academically, as these skills will be tested within a clinical environment once students have completed their degree. A benefit for students is the conclusion that using higher quality sources results in higher marks.

Author Biographies

David Brown, University of York

Academic Liaison Librarian, Library and Archives

Ted Hewitt, University of York

Lecturer, Department of Health Sciences

Devi Nannen, University of York

Lecturer, Department of Health Sciences

Jessica Powell, University of York

Lecturer, Department of Health Sciences

Anita Savage Grainge, University of York

Senior Lecturer, Department of Health Sciences

Downloads

Published

2018-09-14

How to Cite

Brown, D., Hewitt, T., Nannen, D., Powell, J., & Savage Grainge, A. (2018). The Best Available Evidence: Assessing the Quality of Nursing Students’ Bibliographies. Journal of Academic Writing, 8(1), 92–112. https://doi.org/10.18552/joaw.v8i1.398