Introduction
The main objective of critique of research paper is to establish whether the paper has been written to the set standard that is required, it involves critical look of statements as presented. Its main aim is to find out whether the theoretical framework of the paper has been identified, defined, met or distracted from the main agenda of the research. The flow of the conceptual framework should be natural, to elicit clarity of the paper under study. Human rights issues are also a major consideration in critique, ”it seeks to find out the ethos observed while doing the study and the susceptibility of the participants to risks” (Grove and Burns, 2003, p 180). Matters of informed consent and privacy are a special attribute with special penalties under the laws of the earth. The most essential thing being the analysis of every aspect of the research paper or article, that is; the research problems questions, hypothesis, literature review, research methodology, quantitative analysis, recommendation and conclusion. Data analysis marks the crucial step in criticism of the data collected and hence proper analysis techniques need to be employed to get the right interpretation of the results.
Abstract
The abstract is well written and contextures the whole aspect to be included in the research paper as per this analysis and the running title. It serves to centralize the whole discussion in very small paragraph written in prose in not more than a half a page. As presented in the paper, it meets the criteria standards in a very simplified manner with highlights on definition in order to elaborate the meaning suggested by the paper as discussed in the context to avoid ambiguity.
Problem statement
Medical administration is a vital aspect in medical practice as it can determine whether a patient will be exposed to risks such as death. Autocratic oath binds medical practitioners to save life and not to endanger human life and hence medical administration is equally a very sensitive topic of concern in their daily practice. Professionalism includes precise action with minimal errors especially when handling life especially in this context where human life is a treasure. Drug interaction can lead to various allergic reaction and counter reaction that are likely to result from wrong administration. Toxicity is the advanced effects that are lethal if not controlled in time. Over dosage can lead to killing of patients and hence contraindications must always be handled professionally as patients are a priority. Various sources have suggested the suitability of using PDA (Personal Data Assistant) as alternative mechanism in order to clear the errors made by nurses as she has indicated and hence the scope of her analysis is only to substantiate the suitability of PDA verses the text book criteria.
Study purpose
Nurses come into direct contact with patients in the clinical set up; they handle the dressing of patients and administration of drugs that have been prescribed by Medical Doctors. Nurses are not allowed to prescribe but can administer drugs following the instruction that have been written on the prescription list. PDA therefore, will offer the best solution to nurses which will go along way in ensuring best practices. Safeguarding of patients lives through the integrated information system allows them to access information already handled by the doctors to ensure that right prescriptions have been offered for the right kind of clinical conditions. They will also serve to establish the checking system for the Medical Doctors.
Research question
The research question has not been stated but from the purpose of the paper and the hypothesis of the paper, it can be suggested that the main research question would have been: Is the PDA system suitable for correction of errors in nursing practice in comparison to the text book system? Other research question that would have been relevant as per this research topic would have been: What are the most likely benefits of PDA system over the Text book system? To what extent can the PDA system be used by the nurses in avoiding the errors in clinical practice?
Hypothesis
The hypothesis of the paper has been stated that “nurses who use the currently available PDA technology in the clinical area will administer medications more accurately and provide this care in less time than would the nurses who do not use this technology”. It fits the context of the paper and the running head of the research paper. This marks the relevance of the topic of discussion as has been addressed in her logical framework expressed in her output of the statements
Study variables
Time and accuracy were the study dependent variables in this study, while the independent variables were ranging from different drug dosages, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory and temperatures. This allowed comparison over a wide range of parameters in order to establish the efficacy of the PDA system than the normal Text book procedure. An assumption of the data generated can be said to make a representative conclusion.
Theoretical framework
The major conceptual frame work adopted to conduct this study was a non randomized quasi experimental framework, it is a voluntary task and the students grouped into two experimental and control group. The three levels of students allowed variety to eliminate replication of data from an even group who are in the same class. All had professional acquaintance of the topic under discussion and therefore, they were aware of the discussion which gave the study an allowable accuracy benefit as all were required to be precise. Also in the clinical set up, certain details are mandatory and these were presented as a package of data sheet that had all the detail that was to be determined in the case. The case studies were also provided with specific question that they were required to answer in both group with each group working out the problems as classified under his/her group.
Review of the literature
The literature review was well presented despite a few data that are missing and ought to have been provided. Usually when providing evidence when dealing with numbers. Special statistics data are supposed to accompany the information to support the argument under consideration. “Several studies related to the study to be conducted also has to be mentioned in order to provide evidence of the areas already covered in this line of study” (Lincoln, and Denzin, 2005, p 321). Special emphasis is mainly to be made on their recommendation that usually has more weight to this study. Correct citation is also a major aspect because the data used have a very strong implication in line with the data you are to generate. A quantitative aspect gives value to the paper and usually has to work with the current advancement in technology that has enhanced accuracy of data generation with respect to time. This is because data generated have far reaching implication when forged and used on human beings.
Study design
The design of a study involves data collection technique that has to ensure efficacy, precision, accuracy and time efficiency. A good design is that which ensures repetition of data. Repetition enables replication of data and with analysis, this presents minimal errors. The choices of statistical methods of analysis are of value in giving the right recommendation and conclusion for a research that has been carried out. The design of choice in this paper was the non randomized, quasi experimental project. Data collection was done by sampling technique. The data analysis was t-Test that has the aspect of homogeneity in the data generated which was integrated with the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Both data were analyzed, the accuracy of the data was determined and the precision stated. ANOVA and Mann- Whitney techniques were also used in a tabulated format in order to extract the right interpretation of the data.
Sampling set up
The sample was large enough in that the groups were divided into two groups allowing diversity of the results, each group had different categories of students from junior to the fourth years and hence the data was large as per the set up of this experimental design. Large data minimizes the possibility of errors within the research design. Finally, each individual were given the assignments and were to present the results. This data is a representative of the target population in that each student was assigned different case study question.
Limiting variables
All the students were given the same calculators and allowed to consult books to avoid making errors while working out the case studies given. They also had been successfully trained in line with requirements to perform the assignment. For the duration of time they took to handle the tasks, ANOVA neutralized the significance of time and it was not statistically significant.
Study instruments/Tools
The PDA program has been designed and approved to be efficient in handling of data.
The stopwatch was being controlled by the assistant research scientist avoiding variation in timing. ANOVA, SPSS and Mann- Whitney tests are the most effective tools to use in data analysis as they take less time than the manual system. They are appropriate tools because they can easily handle a wide array of discrete data. This can be used to extract the best description from a scientific study as has been used in this paper.
Strengths
The study has strong emphasis for reduction of errors in the clinical setting up. The high numbers of errors that are witnessed coupled to the effects that are likely to result from the errors make it valid for this kind of study. Safety of patients is the priority of all medical practitioners in the clinical setup as addressed. The study finding is quite practical in the field of nursing because their major line of duty revolves around drug administration, as prescribed by doctors. “The increasing population of people with increasing numbers of patients have put pressure on the number of nurses and effective methods need to be employed especially those that work along the line of ICT as a contemporary issue” (McKenzie, and Cottrell, 2010, p 517).
Limitation
The limitation of this study include a very small group of people centralized in the same school and hence the data can not be said to be representative as it will require distribution over a wide region, gender and nationalities.
Implications
Implication of this finding on policies, procedures, quality monitors and plans of care evaluation is that it shall have a coordinated method of monitoring and evaluation. Formal education will be enhanced; special course content such as bio-informatics will be introduced. ICT integration is a special focus for contemporary advancements and it needs not be over emphasized. Patients will receive fast service, nurses will receive additional training to enable them gain full confidence along their line of duty. The reduced errors will then enhance a community that is free of fear of wrong prescription
Gaps in the research paper
The acuity of the situation is very evident though secondary data ought to have been provided to give strength to this research problem in order to evict serious concerns that need to be addressed. Graphical representation has not been displayed anywhere to show the variation of the data and to support the claims being moved in the paper. Charts, line and bar graph would have been the best tools to use.
Future research
ICT is a contemporary emerging issue in every aspect of today’s world. The PDA system can incorporate various components of Quality assurance monitoring system equipped automatically. Other systems should be developed for easier medication and prescription. Bio informatics should not only be a course content but should be a mandatory subject to be taken by nurses and medical Doctors.
Conclusion
“Research relies on repetition and replication of the result to ascertain the accuracy and precision of the obtained data.” (Lincoln and Denzin, 2003, p 721). Replication will therefore generate data that will give a universal approach to the problem and universal recommendation that will apply to all problems all over the world. More so, this will work to safe guard the medical field professionalism while safe guarding peoples lives which is the core ethics behind the autocratic oath.
Reference list
Grove, k. S, and Burns, N. (2003). Understanding Nursing. 3rd Ed. New Jersey: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Lincoln, S. Y, and Denzin, K. N. (2003). The landscape of qualitative research: theories and issues. 2nd Ed. San Francisco: SAGE.
Lincoln, S. Y, and Denzin, K. N. (2005). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research. 3rd Ed. San Francisco: SAGE.
McKenzie, F. J, and Cottrell, R. R. (2010). Health Promotion and Education Research Methods: Using the Five Chapter Thesis/Dissertation. 2nd ED. Mexico: Jones & Bartlett.