...Volume 3, number 2 What is critical appraisal? Sponsored by an educational grant from AVENTIS Pharma Alison Hill BSC FFPHM FRCP Director, and Claire Spittlehouse BSc Business Manager, Critical Appraisal Skills Programme, Institute of Health Sciences, Oxford q Critical appraisal is the process of systematically examining research evidence to assess its validity, results and relevance before using it to inform a decision. q Critical appraisal is an essential part of evidence-based clinical practice that includes the process of systematically finding, appraising and acting on evidence of effectiveness. q Critical appraisal allows us to make sense of research evidence and thus begins to close the gap between research and practice. q Randomised controlled trials can minimise bias and use the most appropriate design for studying the effectiveness of a specific intervention or treatment. q Systematic reviews are particularly useful because they usually contain an explicit statement of the objectives, materials and methods, and should be conducted according to explicit and reproducible methodology. q Randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews are not automatically of good quality and should be appraised critically. www.evidence-based-medicine.co.uk Prescribing information is on page 8 1 What is critical appraisal What is critical appraisal? Critical appraisal is one step in the process of evidence-based clinical practice. Evidencebased clinical practice...
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...In a nonexperimental research, the resreacher only collect datas without introducing treatments or making changes. Here the researcher studies the relationship between two or more variables in natural settings without manipulation or control. In corelational design, the researcher studies the strenght of relationship between variables by observing how the changes in one variable is correlated with changes in the other variable. In genearal correlational studies have dependent and independent variables and often it is the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable that is observed without manipulation. The advantage of nonexperimental design studies are that they are close to real life situations, numerous human characteristice are inherently not subject to manipulation example, blood type, personality, health beliefs, medical diagnosis it makes nonexperimental research studies suitable for nursing research. Also there are many variables that can technically be manipulated but manipulation is forbiden on ethical grounds. The major disadvantage is that the result obtained and the relationships between the dependent and independent variables can never be absolutely clear or error free. It is true that non experimental nursing research studies are conducted for comparative purposes using non randomly selected groups which may not be homogenous and in fact often dissimilar in different traits and characteristics’ which affects the authenticity and lead to faulty...
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...improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish” (“Standards for general practices,” 2015). A method of improving the quality of services and achieving a high standard of clinical practice involves appraising staff performance. Clarke, Harcourt & Flynn (2012) states that in the health sector, a key role in implementing clinical governance is by appraising the performance of staff, this in turn, is critical to containing health care costs and ensuring and improving quality patient care. The intentions of performance appraisals are to maintain and improve a high standard of patient care, however, there are many studies concluding that performance appraisals are not always effective and may even be considered destructive (Bouskila-Yam, & Kluger, 2011). Evidence suggests that appraisals provide minimal satisfaction, as at times can be perceived as unfair, poorly structured and judgmental towards some employees (Spence & Wood, 2007). The reader believes that if performance appraisals were conducted in a manner to suit all parties involved, then appraising staff would be beneficial and critical to improving clinical governance, thus, patient quality care. In the readers’ experience, performance appraisals have not been well presented or conducted by management staff; thus, the reader believing in the appraisal system as ineffective in promoting clinical governance...
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...Running head: QUANITATIVE RESEARCH REPORT Quantitative Research Report M. Ellen Kingsley Grand Canyon University NRS-433V May 06, 2011 The Quantitative Research that this student chose is titled; Interventions to Promote Physical Activity in Chronically Ill Adults. Physical activity in chronically ill adults is a topic that is very important to study, people, in general, do not realize the importance of exercise and if there is proof that exercise is beneficial to people with long term illnesses then maybe, by nurses, the patients can be persuaded to be involved in more exercise which would improve their health and quality of life, including improving their illnesses without more medications. Nurses provide a lot of client education and also promote health in all of their clients and can improve the health and well-being of their clients that they serve. The main research question in this article is not stated outright. This author believes that the research question would be; what are the health benefits of physical activity in chronically ill adults? Also another question could be added; which strategies and practices are most effective in increasing physical activity in chronic illness. The hypothesis of this study was not stated. This author interprets the hypothesis would be; Physical activity in chronically ill adults will improve health and wellness to these clients. This article discussed the implications of findings that describe the strategies...
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...is a recently graduated health professional, who during his time at university has been taught about evidence based practice (EBP). His first experience of implementing the five steps of EBP, asking an answerable question, acquiring the evidence, appraising the evidence, applying the evidence and assessing the process Liamputtong (2010), will be critically analysed in this essay. An encounter of qualitative and quantitative approaches to research, and how Sam can apply the evidence generated from a quantitative approach to evidence based clinical practice will be detailed below. Evidence based practice can be defined as clinical decisions for individual patients derived from the most appropriate evidence available (Facchiano & Snyder, 2012). It is a nurse’s care of duty to use appropriate clinical practice that will best suit the needs of the patient. Implementation of EBP based on an understanding of research findings is a requirement of competency standards for Australian and New Zealand nurses and midwifes (Borbasi & Jackson, 2012). Sam noticed conflicting practices while watching a routine wound clean; tap water was used instead of saline solution by one of his fellow nurses. This made Sam begin to think about what evidence there was to support using water, or if the nurse should have used saline instead. Sam decided to research this topic further, which comprised of him asking a targeted question that he could then translate into research. The clinical question was...
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...exposures or falls, but comes directly from people as evident in workplace violence(Fernandes, Bouthillette, Raboud, Bullock, Moore, Rae, Ouellet, Gillrie & Way, 1999). The effects of workplace violence is far-reaching and costly(Hoag-Apel, 1998). In fact according to the international council of nurses “ health care workers are more likely to be attacked at work than prison guards and police officers”(ICN, 2009). The aim of this essay is to critically appraise a systematic review of the literature based on workplace violence in the emergency department and to identify characteristics of interventional studies to guide best practice. This review will discuss current practices in reference to NSW health policy and guidelines, critique the systematic review by (Taylor & Rew, 2010) in terms of discussing methodology and provided a comprehensive overview of (Taylor & Rew, 2010) article(Hoag-Apel, 1998) (NSW Health, 2005). Finally, this review will attempt to recommend a change in practice in terms of the research question of what are the suggested interventions for workplace violence in the ED conducted by studies from 2004 ? Based on best evidence based practice and research(Hoag-Apel, 1998) . Although healthcare professionals and exclusively nurses are at higher risk of workplace violence, NSW legislation doesn’t reflect the increase risk associated or current international concerns(Hoag-Apel, 1998) . In NSW it is part of a legislative requirement that staff receive sexual...
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...NR449 Evidence Based Practice Required Uniform Assignment: Appraising the Evidence PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to interpret the two articles identified as most important to the group topic. COURSE OUTCOMES This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes: CO 2: Apply research principles to the interpretation of the content of published research studies. (POs #4 and #8) CO 4: Evaluate published nursing research for credibility and clinical significance related to evidence‐ based practice. (POs #4 and #8) DUE DATE Refer to the course calendar for due date information. The college’s Late Assignment policy applies to this activity. TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE: 150 POINTS REQUIREMENTS The paper will include the following. 1. Clinical question a. Description of problem b. Significance of problem c. Purpose of paper 2. Description of findings a. Summarize basics in the Matrix Table as found in Assignment Documents in e‐College. b. Describe i. Concepts ii. Methods used iii. Participants iv. Instruments including reliability and validity v. Answer to “Purpose” question vi. Identify next step for group 3. Conclusion of paper 4. Format a. Correct grammar and spelling b. Use of headings for each section NR449 Evidence Based Practice c. Use of APA format (sixth edition) d. Page length: three pages PREPARING THE PAPER 1. Please make sure you do not duplicate articles within your group...
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...IN “AIOU PLAGIARISM POLICY”. ASSIGNMENT No. 1 (Units: 1–4) Course: Human Resource Management (8502) Semester: Autumn 2012 Level: MBA (2½ / 3 ½ Years) Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 50 Q. 1 (a) Quote discriminatory personnel management practices in recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, layoffs, and benefits. (10) (b) Define and discuss diversity management. (10) Q. 2 Illustrate and explain each of the seven steps in the HR Scorecard approach to create human resource management systems. (20) Q. 3 (a) Discuss the nature of job analysis, including what it is and how it’s used.(10) b) Explain the main techniques used in employment planning and forecasting. (10) Q. 4 (a) Explain and illustrate the problems to avoid in appraising performance. (10) b) List and discuss the pros and cons of six...
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...Appraising Internationality in Spanish Communication Journals ´ david ferna ndez-quijada This article explores how journals published in a language other than English achieve a degree of internationality and can increase our knowledge of scientific publication patterns. This author offers a case study focused on Spanish communication journals from a sample of 1182 articles published from 2007 to 2009. The article examines three variables in this sample: the number of non-Spanish scholars, the use of languages other than Spanish, and how often non-Spanish journals are referred to. The results show that (a) these journals find it difficult to attract foreign scholars, (b) open-language policies have had a limited effect, and (c) internationality is constrained to the Spanish geolinguistic region. Keywords: internationality, local journals, Spanish scholarly journals, journal evaluation, communication sciences introduction The impact of published research is measured by means of well-established tools; one such tool is the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). However, in the field of communication studies — and in fact in all the social sciences — the SSCI does not take account of all the research published; this is particularly visible in cases where research is published in languages other than English. For example, in 2009, only 81 out of the 1585 articles (5.11 per cent) indexed in the Communication category of the SSCI were not written in English. In the context of these...
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...or the human resource aspects of a management position and are defined as the process of acquiring, training, appraising and compensating employees, and attending to their labor relations, health and safety, and fairness concerns. The components of Human Resource Management are Selection, Motivation, Productivity, Trade Unions, Training, Rewards System, Development, Discipline, Employment Legislation and Recruitment. Basic Human Resource concept states that HR creates value by engaging in activities that produce the employee behaviors that the company needs to achieve its strategic goals. The intensely competitive nature of business today means human resource managers must defend their plans and contributions in measurable terms. Current economic challenges require that HR managers develop new and better skills to effectively and efficiently deliver and manage HR services. The personnel aspects of a HR manager’s job include conducting job analysis, planning labor needs and recruiting job candidates, selecting job candidates, orienting and training new employees, managing wages and salaries, providing incentives and benefits, appraising performance, communicating, training and developing managers, and building employee commitment. Also, the HR manager’s today should also know and be concerned about notions such as equal opportunity and affirmative action, employee health and safety, handling grievances and labor relations. In addition, the chapter also emphasizes on how cultural...
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...Professional Development: Critiquing Research The ability to critique (critically analyse and evaluate) research from both the qualitative and quantitative paradigms is an essential skill for occupational therapists. It is this skill, integrated with expertise gained from clinical practice that underpins evidence based practice (EBP). Although there are many definitions of EBP, Muir Gray (1997) defines it as “an approach to decision making in which the clinician uses the best evidence available, in consultation with the patient, to decide upon the option which suits the patient best." The purpose of this assignment is to enable the development of skills in critical analysis by critiquing a research article, which will contribute to further development of knowledge and skills in using EBP in clinical settings. A framework developed by Hek and Moule (2006) (see pages 3- ) has been used to guide the critique of a research article. A framework was used as Caldwell et al (2010 pg e1) argue that “ frameworks assist the novice healthcare practitioner with learning about approaches to research by giving consideration to aspects of the similarities and differences between the qualitative and quantitative research paradigms.” This framework was chosen as it is comprehensive and covers points/questions raised during the critiquing process, although it is important to remember that it is not a definitive checklist and other...
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...Examine the ways that health professionals can use the five steps of evidence-based practice (EBP) as a practical framework to overcoming barriers to locating, appraising and applying best research evidence. Use an occupational health and safety practice as an example. Examples of occupational health and safety practices include: * Use of professional protective equipment (e.g. gloves) * Safety considerations when using equipment (e.g. sharps) * (or a topic you select yourself in negotiation with your LIC) Health professionals are very good at seeking information from their clients and their families and also from the settings in which they work but however they have not been as aware of the information that they can gain from research. Although they need information from many sources, evidence based practice shows how research can also play a role in informing clinical decisions, (Hoffmann ,2010). Health professionals use the five steps of evidence-based practice (EBP) as a structure to overcoming barriers and applying best research. Examples of this include use of professional protective equipment and safety considerations when using equipment. Liamputtong (2010) states that evidence based practice is a “process that requires the practitioner to find empirical evidence about the effectiveness or efficacy of different treatment options and then determine the relevance of the evidence to a particular clients situation” (pp. 252). Sackett (1996, pp...
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...Inquiry into health care Assignment 1 This essay aims to thoroughly examine the importance of evidence-based practice within the health care setting. The use of evidence-based practice as a practical framework to locate, appraise and apply the best research will further discussed throughout this essay. In addition this essay will explore how health care professionals can use the five steps of evidence based practice (EBP) as a practical framework to overcoming barriers to locating, appraising and applying the best research evidence in relation to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). The use of hand washing in relation to infection control will be the OHS area explored. Evidence based practice is a framework that involves an expert finding experimental evidence concerning the value of or effectiveness of altered treatment options, the significance of this evidence is then established in relation to the patients situation (Liamputtong, 2010).Evidence Based Practice generates the need for clinically vital information regarding clinical and health care issues (Liamputtong, 2010). This clinically vital information is gathered by altering evidence into answerable questions, once this information is gathered the appraised information will be put into clinical practice and evaluated based on performance (Liamputtong, 2010). The importance of the five steps of Evidence Based Practice is consistent and conclusive. Before EBP, clinical knowledge was primarily relied on in areas...
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...APPRAISING THE EVIDENCE Chamberlain College of Nursing NR 500 Professor P. Spinelli November 2015 The web site chosen for the assignment is the one from the National Institute of Health accessible via the link http://www.nih.gov/ whose mission and purpose are to inform and educate the American people on the latest technologies and advancements in healthcare. Its purpose is stated in the “About us” section and clearly states; “NIH’s mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.” (nih.gov, 2015). In order to locate this site, the search was initiated by performing a broad search for the National Institute of Health on Google.com and the first result of the list of possible sites was the one that belonged to the .gov domain and the site was accessed. The choice of the National Institute of Health for this assignment was based solely on personal experiences and uses as it has proven itself to being a reliable and up to date source of information where references are available pertaining to the source of the information and the credentials of those running the site as well as their mission statement. The evaluation of the website is done with the use of set criteria: authority, information, objectivity, ease of navigation and privacy and security policies. Those steps are universal when doing research...
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...helping to control the cost of health care. EBP is an approach to problem-solving and clinical decision- making that incorporates the best available evidence from well-designed studies based on clinician experiences and patients’ principles, values and preferences (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015). The assessment of the effectiveness of EBP models can help to decide which models would be most practical and applicable to the actual practice setting. The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice stands out as a model that will be carefully deliberated for the reason that it can be used successfully to initiate a practice change at the unit and organizational levels. The Iowa model is used throughout a multitude of clinical and academic settings. This model merges research utilization and quality improvement using processes that are innately clear and logical to nurses and is unique in that it uses the concept of “triggers” meaning that evidence-based practice may possibly be prompted by either facts or data from an outside organization, or by specific clinical problems (Brown, 2014). The Ace model uses an interdisciplinary approach for conveying knowledge for use in healthcare and nursing practice to help meet quality improvement objectives. The Ace model focuses mutually on interpretation and execution of the EBP process. This model is arduous to most and consists of five steps: First, the pursuit of innovative information by means of traditional research. Next, a very thorough systematic...
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