Critical Appraisal on Drug Testing Service at Music Festival

Running head: CRITICAL APPRAISAL
CRITICAL APPRAISAL ON DRUG TESTING SERVICE AT MUSIC FESTIVAL
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author’s Note:

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Day, N., Criss J., Gujral, S. K., John-Leader, F., Johnson, J., & Pit, S. (2018). Music festival
attendees’ illicit drug use, knowledge and practices regarding drug content and purity: A cross
sectional survey. Harm Reduction Journal, 15(1),1-7. doi: 10.1186/s12954-017-0205-7
Introduction
The essay outlines the critical appraisal of the research article titled “Music festival
attendees' illicit drug use, knowledge and practices regarding drug content and purity: a cross-
sectional survey’. The essay has explained the expertise of the authors involved in the research.
Critique has been done on the research design, methodology and highlighted some strengths and
limitations of the paper. Further, based on the result, the paper is used to reflect on the case
scenario of Emily, whose mother thinks that drug checking service used to encourage the young
people towards using illicit drugs. The finding of the research paper is used and reflected on
some of their enablers and barrier relevant to the case scenario.
Authorship
The author of the article has affiliated from the School of Medicine, University of
Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW; Harm Reduction and Health Promotion Programs, North Coast
Public Health, Mid North Coast Local Health District, PO Box 419, Lismore, NSW. The primary
strength of the authorship is that they are experts in health research and comparative analysis.
There is no conflict of interest in the paper.
Research question and aim
The research paper aims to critically analyse the behaviour of the people for drug testing
service at the music festival. The study focuses on the effect of these services among the
populations, whether the people are liking the idea or not. The finding of the study was justified

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with research questions. However, the major problem was in investigation methodology where
author has asked same questions to every person (Day et al., 2018).
Research design
The author of paper has incorporated descriptive and correlational research design for
their study. The design has made use of survey analysis, which has given both qualitative and
quantitative data. The data was collected based on questions and answer. The result was analysed
statistically, and percentage analysis was done to conclude result. However, the author has not
taken the cause and effect of the variables. The major strength of such design is they give reliable
and generalize result. It is purely justified as survey analyses can be best interpreted by
comparative analysis and provide unbiased result (Fink, 2019).
Research method
In the paper, the author has made use of qualitative and qualitative data. The research
method used for the study is based on investigation and survey did in Australian music festivals.
The participant selected was on a random basis of 18 to 30 years of age, but more female
participant was included. Pilot testing and SPSS analysed qualitative data. The major strength of
such methodology is they give authentic and generalized data without the prevalence of biasness
(Li et al., 2015). However, such a method is time taking and require human resource, which is
making the research costly (Lewis, 2015).
Result and limitation of the study
The primary result of the study showed that more number of people are convinced with
the drug testing service at music festival. Their attitude and behaviour of people showed
suggestive intervention along with the drug checking service. Therefore, the finding has