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Introduction

Research has become an integral part of nursing and its importance is reflected particularly in the changes to nurse education made in recent years. Research has become an integral part of nursing and its importance is reflected particularly in the changes to nurse education made in recent years. Indeed with the implementation of Project 2000, nurses have become more research orientated and many have achieved academic recognition in this area However the ultimate goal must be to improve the quality of care provided for the patients, and as Polit and Hungler (1997) suggest, research allows nurses to question their practice, find answers and thus implement into their area. Nurses need to have good objective skills, they need to be purposeful, reflective and questioning and with this in mind, evidence based nursing should always maintain a balance between research on a clinical subject and information that has been gained from the patient.codc dcr sedcdcw ordc dck indc fodc dc. Essentially nursing research is about patients and providing the best quality care for them Watson (1998).coeb ebr seebebw oreb ebk ineb foeb eb! A research critique is not just a review or summary of a study, but rather a careful critical appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of a piece of research. Therefore, the research critique should reflect a thoughtful, objective, and balanced consideration of the study's validity and significance Polit and Hungler (1997).coce cer sececew orce cek ince foce ce; Research is an important aspect of the specialist practitioner's role. ...read more.

Middle

Decisions regarding what tools and actions are likely to achieve the best outcome for patients are what the researchers are seeking to measure in their trial.cofe fer sefefew orfe fek infe fofe fe: It has already been identified that the controlled trial is quantitative in nature, which is concerned with the measurement of the phenomena. Quasi-experiment design was used, using the manipulation of independent variable and control, two of the key features in nursing research. The design did not have randomisation. It is a time-series cross-over controlled trial with 34 volunteers. A non-random sample was used as volunteers were recruited to the study, thus making it a non-probability sample. Randomisation of individuals was not essential as identified in the experiment because each person acted as their own control, although randomisation would have been the preferred choice. The lack of randomisation can make it more difficult to be certain that any differences between groups are the result of the experimental variable Polit and Hungler (1997).cocg cgr secgcgw orcg cgk incg focg cg! The time-series design can help to overcome some of the problems attributed to the one-group pre-test/post test design. It involves the collection of data over a period of time with observations made both before and after the intervention. The consistency of the pre-observation results followed by a change in this trend after the intervention strengthens the prediction that the intervention is responsible for the change. Although quasi-experimental designs lack the control of a true experiment, they remain of value in nursing research. ...read more.

Conclusion

The researcher has identified staff need supported in developing mouth care and assessment strategies, which include choice of effective tools. This paper from www.coursework.info Overall the article was interesting with clear aims and use of appropriate methodology. The sample was non-random and therefore non-probability consistent with the quasi-experimental design of quantative research. The design was a time series cross over controlled trial with 34 volunteers, and using descriptive statistics which were appropriate and common tests to analyse the data. vhi49u Visit coursework bb in bb fo bb for bb more essay bb Do bb not bb redistribute vhi49u From the study it emerged that toothbrushes could remove plaque from the sites studied, if used effectively and that foam swabs could not remove plaque, which had accumulated in sheltered areas. The writer in her opinion suggests that foam swabs have a role to play in mouth care especially in the palliative care setting and that toothbrushes used correctly would no doubt remove plaque but each tool has a role to play in keeping the mouth clean and moist.cogb gbr segbgbw orgb gbk ingb fogb gb: All qualified nurses must develop competency critical evaluation of research. According to Hek (1996) it must be evident that nursing care provided is based on quality research - based evidence wherever it is able. Most significantly, because research is published in a journal does not guarantee that it is reliable and appropriate for clinical practice. Assessing critical evaluation skills takes time and practice and working along side other nurses can make the process more effective. This will ensure that the highest possible standard for evidence-based practice is provided for patient. ...read more.

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