DNP Scholarly Project General Paper Preparation Guidelines:

Chapter 5

This template provides a structured approach for organizing Chapter 5 of the DNP Scholarly Project paper, ensuring clarity, relevance, and alignment with project objectives and scholarly standards. This document serves as guidelines, not strict requirements. Due to the unique nature of each project, adjustments can be made based on specific project requirements and input from project team leaders.

1. Section 1: Introduction/Review of the Problem (1 page max)
2. Purpose:
   1. To restate the problem and remind readers of the project’s significance. Provide a concise summary of the DNP project and a restatement of the purpose (all in past tense). Pulls together information from all previous chapters and work done.
3. Content:
   1. Restate the original problem or gap in practice identified in the project. Do NOT self-plagiarize from Chapter 1 or 2.
   1. Briefly summarize the project’s goals and objectives.
   1. Mention the specific outcomes the project aimed to achieve.
   1. Make a statement about what contributions your project adds to the literature or impact it makes on healthcare.
   1. Key Findings (subheading within the Introduction)
      1. Purpose:
         1. Highlight the most significant findings or results from the project.
      1. Content:
         1. Briefly describe the key findings.
         1. Explain how the findings align with or deviate from expectations based on the project purpose and existing literature.
      1. See example wording in Roush book (p. 113).

1. Discussion and Interpretations of Results
   1. Purpose:
      1. To provide a deeper exploration and interpretation of the key findings in the context of the project objectives, sample, and broader literature.
   1. Content:
      1. Discussion of sample Description:
         1. Briefly describe the characteristics of the sample population used in the project (e.g., size, demographics, settings). How does the sample compare to the literature?
         1. Discuss how the sample may have influenced the results or generalizability of the project findings. Issues with your sample may also need to be reported in limitations.
      1. Discussion:
         1. What do your results indicate? Tell the reader what your findings mean! This is the heart of this chapter.
         1. Address each project objective or aim individually. Address the outcomes associated with each variable.
         1. Interpret the results in relation to each objective. Compare and contrast to what is noted in the literature. Were there any surprising findings? If so, detail them here and include a rationale for why you think they appeared.
         1. Discuss how the results reflect progress toward solving the problem. Did the results differ from what is seen in the literature? How? Explain.
         1. Was your approach and project effective? It is possible it wasn’t – that’s OK, there is still a lot to discuss (see pp120).
         1. Use your data and related research/projects from the literature in all aspects of this discussion.
         1. *NOTE: Avoid any absolutisms!! It is exceedingly rare that a study will “definitely prove,” “undeniably,” “clearly show,”or “certainly” reveal anything on its own. Instead, studies tend to “suggest” or “indicate,” and those are better words to use.
         1. See example of discussion findings pp 115-119.

1. Implications of the DNP ProjectPurpose: To explore the practical implications of the project outcomes in nursing practice, education, and policy.Content:Practice:Discuss how the results will affect clinical practice or patient care.Provide examples of how practice might change based on the project.Highlight how the project aligns with evidence-based practice and other findings from the literature.Education:Consider the implications for nursing education.Discuss how the project results could inform curriculum development or continuing education.Policy:Explore potential policy changes or initiatives that could be influenced by the findings.Discuss any recommendations for institutional, local, or national policy adjustments.

1. Recommendations for Future Research or Areas of InquiryPurpose: To identify gaps in the current research and suggest areas for future exploration.Content:Highlight gaps in the literature or unanswered questions identified during the project.Suggest specific research topics or questions for future studies.Emphasize the importance of continued investigation in this area.

• LimitationsPurpose: To acknowledge the limitations of the DNP project and their potential impact on the results.Content:Identify specific limitations (e.g., sample size/power, methodology, data collection, etc.).Discuss how these limitations may have affected the validity or generalizability of the findings.Suggest strategies to mitigate these limitations in future projects.

• Sustainability of the Project or Practice ChangePurpose: To discuss how the project or practice changes can be maintained long-term.Content:Outline strategies for sustaining the project or practice change.Discuss any barriers to sustainability and potential solutions. Support with references.Highlight the role of stakeholders in maintaining change.

• ConclusionPurpose:To provide a succinct summary of the project and its significance.Content:Summarize the key takeaways from the project.Emphasize the importance of the findings for nursing practice, education, and policy.Restate the project’s contribution to addressing the original problem or gap in practice.

• References, Appendices, Table of Contents, & Abstract (must be included for FINAL submission)Purpose:The final DNP Project paper must include a complete list of references.Content:Complete list of references (from ALL chapters) in APA format.All tables, figures, and images must be included as an appendix (not within chapters).An abstract with keywords is required, (to be located at the front of the document, after the table of contents).A Table of contents in APA format must be included after the title page and acknowledgements. *See the template on the FINAL DNP Scholarly Project Manuscript template for layout of each of these sections.