(Answered) Nr439 Week 6: Research Article Critique Paper

Purpose

The purpose of this Nr439 Week 6: Research assignment completed as an APA Paper is for the student to learn to examine, analyze, critique, and summarize an original research article.

Course Outcomes

Through this assignment, the student will demonstrate the ability to meet the following course outcomes:

CO1: Examine the sources of evidence that contribute to professional nursing practice. (PO7)

CO2: Apply research principles to the interpretation of the content of published research studies. (POs 4 and 8)

CO4: Evaluate published nursing research for credibility and lab significance related to evidence-based practice. (POs 4 and 8)

CO5: Recognize the role of research findings in evidence-based practice. (POs 7 and 8)

Requirements

Through this assignment, the student will:

1. Critique the required article found below and in your own words, describe the research question, sample, design of study, data collection method, findings, and limitations of each. (CO 1, CO2,)
2. Summarize the research article and evaluate the significance to nursing. Do not just quote the author’s words. Paraphrase the information. (CO 4, CO5).

Guidelines to Writing the Paper

1. This assignment is completed as an APA paper. APA resources can be found on the Course Resources Module. You are required to complete the paper using the productivity tools required by Chamberlain University, which is Microsoft Office Word 2013 (or later version), or Windows and Office 2011 (or later version) for MAC. You must save the file in the “.docx” format. Do NOT save as Word Pad. A later version of the productivity tool includes Office 365, which is available to Chamberlain students for FREE by downloading from the student portal at http://my.chamberlain.edu (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Click on the envelope at the top of the page.
2. Download the required article for analysis:

Colvin, C. M., Karius, D., & Albert, N. M. (2016). Nurse adherence to safe-handling practices: Observation versus self-assessment. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 20(6), 617-622. doi:10.1188/16.CJON.617-622

https://chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=c9h&AN=119605781&site=eds-live&scope=site (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

3. Introduction (one paragraph): The introduction should be interesting and capture the reader’s attention.
   1. Provide a brief description of the research article to be discussed.
   2. Discuss the purpose of your paper. The purpose statement of the paper should relate to the research article reviewed and the implications that it has to evidence based nursing practice.
   3. You will need to summarize and analyze the information from the article in your own words

4. Describe the research question for this study in a paragraph.

4. 1. Describe the research in greater detail.
   2. Include your observations about this question.
   3. Discuss events or trends that could have affected this question.
   4. You will need to summarize and analyze the information from the article in your own words

5. Describe the research design of this study, and in your own words discuss the design.
   1. Discuss the research design of the study.
   2. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the type of design and hypothesize why the author utilized the design as opposed to others.
   3. You will need to summarize the information from the article in your own words
6. Describe the sample.

1. Briefly describe the sample size used for this study
2. Make a judgment as to whether the sample size was adequate and defend your answer.
3. Describe the number or participants and determine if the number of participants was adequate compared to the research question and the intent of the study.
4. Are these numbers adequate? Discuss gaps in that you identified.
5. You will need to summarize and analyze the information from the article in your own words

7. Describe the data collection method(s)’

1. Who collected the data?
2. What tools were used?
3. What were the ethical considerations addressed and discuss gaps you identified.
4. You will need to summarize and analyze the information from the article in your own words

8. Describe the limitations of the study.

1. Identify the limitations within the study
2. Describe how the limitations could be overcome in subsequent studies
3. Comment on why limitations are important to list and discuss within a study
4. You will need to summarize and analyze the information from the article in your own words

9. Describe the findings reported in the study.

1. Describe the findings reported in the study
2. Discuss whether the findings of the study answered the research question posed within the study
3. Discuss the credibility of the findings
4. If the findings do not support the research question posed within the study, what do you believe is the reason?
5. You will need to summarize and analyze the information from the article in your own words

10. Summary of Required Article
    1. Summarizes important points from the required article.
    2. Discuss your rationale for whether a practice change is warranted.
    3. Based on these findings, is the evidence that you found on your topic strong enough to suggest a change in practice or an idea for practice, or an idea for practice?
    4. End with a concluding statement.
11. Citations and References must be included to support the information within each topic area. Refer to the APA manual, Chapter 7, for examples of proper reference format. In-text citations are to be noted for all information contained in your paper that is not your original idea or thought. Ask yourself, “How do I know this?” and then cite the source.
12. Reference Page: The Reference Page should start on a new page (insert a page break). All references should be cited within the body of the paper as (Author, year) and the full reference should be included in APA format on the reference page. A url link alone is not an adequate reference. See the APA Guidelines in Course Resources for examples of properly formatted references.
13. Submit the completed paper by 11:59 p.m. MT on Sunday at the end of Week 6.

Nr439 Week 6: Research Answer

Research Article Critique

In the realm of oncology nursing, the routine administration of chemotherapy poses significant occupational risks for nurses, exposing them to hazardous medications with potential health implications (Polovich, Whitford, & Olsen, 2014). Chemotherapy substances are known for their teratogenic, carcinogenic, reproductive toxic, and genotoxic characteristics, elevating the vulnerability of oncology nurses to various adverse effects.

Extensive research has shown that occupational exposure in the oncology department can lead to detrimental outcomes, including but not limited to cancer incidence, fetal defects, reproductive complications, contact dermatitis, nausea, and allergic reactions. In this context, this critique aims to analyze the article “Nurse Adherence to Safe-Handling Practices: Observation Versus Self-Assessment” authored by Colvin, Karius, and Albert (2016). The examination will delve into the research question, research design, sampling, data collection methods, research limitations, and study findings.

Description of the Research Question

While the explicit research question is not articulated in the study, it can be inferred that the central inquiry revolves around the adherence of nurses to NIOSH PPE recommendations and hospital chemotherapy exposure policies in real clinical settings. This study explores whether healthcare practitioners follow prescribed safety guidelines and protocols during the handling of hazardous materials in the clinical environment.

Considering the aforementioned research question, it is evident that the study aims to uncover the extent to which nurses adhere to safety protocols and guidelines when dealing with chemotherapy substances in the clinical setting. This research question is crucial for evaluating the practical implementation of established safety measures and assessing potential gaps in adherence among oncology nurses. Moreover, the examination of nurses’ adherence to safe-handling practices addresses broader concerns related to occupational health and patient safety in oncology settings.

Research Design and Sampling

Colvin et al. (2016) employed an observational research design to assess nurses’ adherence to safe-handling practices. The observational approach allows for the direct examination of nurses’ behavior in real clinical scenarios, providing valuable insights into actual practices. The study involved a sample of nurses from various oncology settings, encompassing diverse experiences and practices to enhance the generalizability of the findings. This approach ensures that the study captures a representative picture of nurses’ adherence behaviors across different contexts and levels of experience.

Data Collection Methods

The data collection methods in the study primarily involved direct observation of nurses in their natural work environments. Trained observers documented nurses’ adherence to safe-handling practices based on predetermined criteria. This method offers a real-time assessment of behaviors, minimizing recall bias and providing accurate insights into the day-to-day practices of nurses in handling chemotherapy substances.

Research Limitations

Despite the valuable contributions of the study, it is essential to acknowledge certain limitations. One potential limitation is the presence of the Hawthorne effect, wherein nurses may modify their behavior when aware of being observed. This awareness could influence the results, as nurses may exhibit heightened adherence during observation periods. Additionally, the study’s generalizability might be constrained by the specific contexts and settings included in the sample. Different institutions may have varying protocols and practices, impacting the broader applicability of the findings.

Study Findings

The findings of the study revealed varying levels of adherence among oncology nurses to safe-handling practices. The observed behaviors shed light on areas of strength and potential improvement in implementing safety protocols. These insights can inform targeted interventions and educational initiatives to enhance nurses’ adherence to established guidelines, ultimately contributing to a safer working environment for healthcare practitioners and improved patient outcomes.

In conclusion, the research article by Colvin, Karius, and Albert (2016) underscores the critical importance of evaluating nurses’ adherence to safe-handling practices in oncology settings. The study employs a robust observational design, providing valuable insights into real-world practices. While recognizing certain limitations, the findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on occupational health and patient safety in oncology nursing. The identification of adherence patterns and areas for improvement informs evidence-based strategies to enhance the safety of both healthcare providers and patients in the challenging field of oncology.