PUBH7016 Introduction to Epidemiology

Inroduction

Critique is regarded as a proper analysis of any research which helps in identifying the strength and weakness of   the paper.  it is a systematic process which helps in evaluation of research studies and the results it provides. The Main purpose of any research critique is to determine whether the findings are table or not (Smith et al., 2018). Some of the aspects of research critique are- determining the purpose and the problem, understanding the Research Design and the methodology, determining whether the methodology is appropriate for the selected research, as the proper outcome, developing a conclusion based upon the finding and lastly reflecting upon the overall strength and limitation of the selected paper (Grossoehme, 2014). 

Moreira et al., (2020) Performed a study for determining the effect of an aquatic training program on various parameters factors functional capacity perceptual aspects and quality of life among the patients suffering from neuromuscular disorders and higher to moderate risk of Falls.  perform randomised control trial study 120 older adults. The researcher included to groups in the studies such as control group AAP and the aquatic exercise group which was the intervention group.  The researcher analysed the risk of fall, quality of life and perceptual aspect at the baseline and also after the experiment. The result of the study highlighted that the implementation of training program helps in improving the upper and lower body flexibility and strength.  It is also found to improve the functional mobility, balance and reduction in pain perception along with that it also helps in rising the fall risk awareness and thereby improving the quality of life.

Digby et al., (2014) aimed at understanding the experience of family carers when the relatives are is in subacute facility or inpatient, mostly communication with the clinical team and involvement in decision making. The researcher performed a qualitative descriptive design study and conducted a semi structured interview for determining the experience, communication and decision making about their relative in the hospital. The researcher determined that there exists burden with the experience of caregiving despite the hospitalization of their relative.  the study also determined through challenges communication, decision making, discharge planning and managing conflict which needs proper acknowledgement and patient care. 

Article 1- Quantitative Study

General Credibility Of The Research Process

Yes, the research investigated the aim of the research which aimed at determining the aquatic training exercise impact upon the functional capacity, quality of life and perceptual aspects upon older adults suffering from musculoskeletal disorder and higher risk of fall. Research investigated the impact of aquatic exercise among this group of patients and presented in form of literature which notified that limited evidence found to support the importance of Aquatic exercise in improving the physiological components related to the disease and risk of falling (Li et al., 2019).  However, no such hypothesis has been presented by the researcher in this study. It is found that the study aim helped in delivering the idea about research question and the identified problem. Thus, a proper study aim was presented by the researcher which enhances the research credibility (Connelly, 2015). 

Yes, the researcher clearly indicated that implementation of Aquatic training programs will increase the functional capacity, the quality of life and reduce the risk of fall among the musculoskeletal disorder patients.  This finding help in justifying the research aim which enhances the credibility of the study.  The process which was undertaken by the researcher was accurate in this case as a proper aim, methodology and result was highlighted (Haare et al., 2017).

Introduction

Yes, the researcher clearly provided a brief introduction about the selected research which also clearly determined the aim of the investigation. The researcher provided a brief idea about the issues faced by the older adults suffering from neuromuscular disorder it impacts the functional capacity, muscle performance and mobility. The researcher also stated about the importance of aquatic exercises and it benefits in enhancing the muscle strength.  The introduction clearly determined the gap in the literature which was lack of proper evidence about aquatic exercises in enhancing functional capacity and thus, this gap helped in establishing a proper research question.  The introduction clearly provides an idea about the aim of the research by identifying the research problem. It is found that a proper introduction services multiple purpose such as- it presents a clear background of the study, produces and aim of the study and thereby delivers an overview of the entire paper enhances quality of the study. The main parts of the introduction such as determining the importance of the topic, determining the difference of opinion about the topic and providing a proper structure was clearly delivered by the researcher (Aquilani et al., 2017).

No, the study was limited in literature review, however, the included paper clearly helped in understanding the aim of the study which aimed at determining the impact of aquatic exercises in enhancing the quality of life, functional capacity and reduce fall among musculoskeletal disorder patient. The study was successful in determining the gap in literature review which stated that evidence about physical exercises which helped in formulating the research question (Snyder, 2019). No such objective analysis was mentioned about the previous studies. Yes, the research gap was clearly mentioned in the study. It has been found a proper literature review helps in determining the research problem, improving the research methodology, helps in broadening the area of research and contextualising the research findings. Hence, the background information was successful in determining the research gap (Snyder, 2019).

Research Method

Yes, the researcher delivered a proper description of the research design as it aimed at performing RCT study with intervention and control group. Yes, the selected design clearly justifies the aim of the study as randomised control trial studies was done which helps in determining the effectiveness of new intervention by comparing with control. Hence, assessing the effectiveness of aquatic exercise in reducing fall and increasing muscle strength can be done by this study design. It is the only study which establish causation and decreases selection biasness and hence, selection of this study will help in determining the effectiveness of aquatic intervention (Hariton & Locascio, 2018). However, no such the theory was presented by the researcher against the selection of RCT study. Yes, a proper description about the steps, two groups, single-blinded allocation and time for which the study was conducted with mentioned which can be used for study replication. The researcher included 196 participants in this study and 120 participants completed the study which is appropriate in this case (Lange et al., 2017). It is essential to have a large sample size because it helps in gaining an accurate mean value, delivers a smaller margin of error and reduces the chance of biasness of the study. Hence, the choice of methodology is accurate in this case.

Ethical Consideration

Yes, the study was found to be ethical approved from the Ethics Committee of the University. Thus, it has been found that ethical approval helps in enhancing the legitimacy of the research finding which helps in making decisions. The researcher included participants after providing informed consent which helped in reducing the chance of selection biasness in the study. The older participants were included in this study but the participants were allowed to leave the intervention which effected the sample size and the mean value (Yip et al., 2016).

Discussion

Yes, the researcher provided a clear result which helped in answering the research question. The study results stated that the training program improved the upper body strength (95%IC 2.6–4.5) and lower body strength (95%IC 2.0–3.3), it also stated that the upper body flexibility (95%IC 4.3–8.6), lower body flexibility (95%IC 3.4–5.8) was improved. The balance, functional mobility was improved and the pain perception was found to be reduced in this case which increased the fall risk awareness and improved the quality of life. No, the study result was not compared with previous study for enhancing the validation. The researcher determined the limitation which might help in further researcher. The study was limited to sample composition, only the risk of fall was assessed not the prevalence and lastly, double-blinded assessment of the outcome which requires further analysis (Moreira et al., 2020).

Limitations

Yes, the researcher determined the limitation of the study which was related to sample composition, only the risk of fall was assessed not the prevalence and lastly, double-blinded assessment of the outcome which requires further analysis (Moreira et al., 2020).

Article 2- Qualitative Study

General Credibility Of The Research Process

Yes, the researcher clearly stated the aim of the study which was understanding the experience of family carers when the relatives are is in subacute facility or inpatient, mostly communication with the clinical team and involvement in decision making. However, the study did not provide a proper research hypothesis. It is found that the study aim helped in delivering the idea about research question and the identified problem. Thus, a proper study aim was presented by the researcher which enhances the research credibility (Diener et al., 2017). 

Yes, the researcher clearly explained the findings, methodology and challenges faced by the participants which helped in understanding the aim and the concept of the study.

Introduction

Yes, the study was successful in determining the purpose of the study and the research problem was also highlighted by the researchers which stated that family caregivers face a lot of challenges which needs proper acknowledgement. The study introduction was also successful in determining the literature gap which stated that no such Australian studies were found to examine the role and stress among families due to hospitalisation. Yes, the researcher clearly determined the aim of the research as a proper introduction services multiple purpose such as- it presents a clear background of the study, produces and aim of the study and thereby delivers an overview of the entire paper enhances quality of the study (Krippendorff, 2018).

No, the study was limited in literature review, however, the literature reviewed clearly helped in understanding the aim of the study which aimed at determining the experience and perception of the family caregiver related to decision-making about treatment. Yes, the background study provided helped in determining the issues faced by the family caregiver related to decision-making in hospital which helped in formulating a research question. Yes, the gap in literature was also identified which navigated as path for performing research. It is evident that a proper literature review helps in determining the research problem, improving the research methodology (Hart, 2018)

Research Methods

Digby & Bloomer (2014), conducted qualitative study, specifically semi structured interview for assessing expectations, demand and care decision of the family caregivers caring for older adults.  qualitative research design, especially semi structured interview   as data collection method is suitable research method which enable researchers to explore values, beliefs and perception regarding research area which can further be developed into theories. In this case, as   limited studies explored the lived experience, values, beliefs and perception of the family caregivers and no Australian studies explored the actual success of communication with families, this study is suitable.  While researchers used theory, researchers justified the use of specific research design (Kallio et al., 2016). The researchers mentioned study participants were recruited through patent admission data and their inclusion discussed with the clinical team, indicating that researchers used purposive sampling.  Therefore, 15 participants were included in the study to conduct the interview of 20 and 40 minutes.  As the focus has been given on the expectancy and communication and family members, study design was suitable for suitable for investigating research aim.  The questionnaires were described explicitly. In this case, power analysis was not described in this case.   No discussion of sampling strategy was consistent with saturation was mentioned by the   researchers.

Ethical Consideration

Yes, it was found that the study received its approval from research ethics committee of the health service. The researcher was also found to undertake consent from the participants prior to interview which helped in gaining a proper response from participants without biasness. The informed consent is found to minimise the risk during participation (Connelly, 2014).

Discussion

In this current context, as the researchers used phenomenological research approach, it is suitable research design for adequately examining the findings.  The research study will allow professionals to allocate the specific members (family members) of the clinical team to incorporate in   the aspect of care for ensuring positive experience for family. On the other hand, the findings will allow regular reliable communication between family and the professionals in ensuring decision making, discharge planning.  In this case, while researchers did not mention any research strength and weakness, the weakness of the study include personal bias of the participants as the participants will describe their perception and values as well as beliefs. On the other hand, other limitation is   lack of numerical data for assessing credibility.  It is consistent with the research findings of other authors because Guilcher et al. (2021), suggested that family caregivers are frequently called on to participate in decision-making on behalf of their relatives. However, family caregivers often feel overwhelmed.

Limitations

However, no such limitation was mentioned by the researcher in this study which might have navigated the future researcher. However, the study was limited in lack of proper numerical data which reduced the studies credibility (Digby et al., 2014).

References

Aquilani, B., Silvestri, C., Ruggieri, A., & Gatti, C. (2017). A systematic literature review on total quality management critical success factors and the identification of new avenues of research. The TQM Journal. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-01-2016-0003

Connelly, L. M. (2014). Ethical considerations in research studies. Medsurg Nursing, 23(1), 54-56.

Connelly, L. M. (2015). Research questions and hypotheses. Medsurg Nursing, 24(6), 435-436.  PMID: 26863710

Diener, E., Pressman, S. D., Hunter, J., & Delgadillo‐Chase, D. (2017). If, why, and when subjective well‐being influences health, and future needed research. Applied Psychology: Health and Well‐Being, 9(2), 133-167. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12090

Digby, R., & Bloomer, M. J. (2014). Families and caregivers of older people: expectations, communication and care decisions. Collegian, 21(4), 345-351. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2013.08.006

Grossoehme D. H. (2014). Overview of qualitative research. Journal of health care chaplaincy, 20(3), 109–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2014.925660

Guilcher, S.J., Maunula, L., Cadel, L., Everall, A.C., Li, J. and Kuluski, K., 2021. Caregiving for older adults with hip fractures: Exploring the perspectives of caregivers, providers and decision-makers in Ontario, Canada. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 93, p.104321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2020.104321

Haara, F. O., Bolstad, O. H., & Jenssen, E. S. (2017). Research on Mathematical Literacy in Schools--Aim, Approach and Attention. European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 5(3), 285-313. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1149942

Hariton, E., & Locascio, J. J. (2018). Randomised controlled trials - the gold standard for effectiveness research: Study design: randomised controlled trials. BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 125(13), 1716. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.15199

Hart, C. (2018). Doing a literature review: Releasing the research imagination.

Kallio, H., Pietilä, A. M., Johnson, M., & Kangasniemi, M. (2016). Systematic methodological review: developing a framework for a qualitative semi‐structured interview guide. Journal of advanced nursing, 72(12), 2954-2965. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13031

Krippendorff, K. (2018). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology. Sage publications.

Lange, S., Sauerland, S., Lauterberg, J., & Windeler, J. (2017). The Range and Scientific Value of Randomized Trials. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 114(38), 635–640. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2017.0635

Li, S., Cao, M., & Zhu, X. (2019). Evidence-based practice: Knowledge, attitudes, implementation, facilitators, and barriers among community nurses-systematic review. Medicine, 98(39), e17209. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000017209

Moreira, N. B., da Silva, L. P., & Rodacki, A. L. F. (2020). Aquatic exercise improves functional capacity, perceptual aspects, and quality of life in older adults with musculoskeletal disorders and risk of falling: A randomized controlled trial. Experimental gerontology, 142, 111135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2020.111135

Smith, J. M., Gacono, C. B., Fontan, P., Taylor, E. E., Cunliffe, T. B., & Andronikof, A. (2018). A scientific critique of Rorschach research: Revisiting Exner’s Issues and Methods in Rorschach Research (1995). Rorschachiana, 39(2), 180. https://doi.org/10.1027/1192-5604/a000102

Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333-339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039

Yip, C., Han, N. R., & Sng, B. L. (2016). Legal and ethical issues in research. Indian journal of anaesthesia, 60(9), 684–688. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5049.190627

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