What is the first task a nurse researcher should undertake to begin searching an electronic database for pancreatic cancer information?

Selecting key words is crucial for effectively searching an electronic database, as it directly influences the breadth and relevance of the search results. By choosing appropriate keywords related to pancreatic cancer, the researcher can tailor the search to yield studies, articles, and resources that specifically address their area of interest. This step ensures that the researcher can sift through vast amounts of information and focus on the most pertinent literature.

In contrast, developing a hypothesis typically occurs after a thorough literature review and understanding of the existing body of knowledge. Reviewing past studies is also later in the process and helps refine understanding prior to formulating a hypothesis. Creating a data analysis plan is a step that comes much later in the research process, after data collection has begun. Thus, selecting key words stands out as the foundational step necessary to kickstart the research inquiry effectively.