Critique Analysis of Two Research Papers on Infection Prevention and Hand Hygiene Practices among Healthcare Workers

Running Head: EDUCATION 1
The process of critique analysis and research
Author's Name
Institutional Affiliation

EDUCATION 2
Introduction
Research plays a vital role in regional and global systems, and research collaborations
enhance the research enterprise of an institute. Research management and critique is essential in
the research industry as it establishes and inspects the research activities and explores the further
growth of research innovation. Research critique allows one to look for democratic conditions
that produce research innovations (Jun Song, & Wei Loong, 2018).
Summary for both articles
The article “Infection prevention as ‘‘a show’’: A qualitative study of nurses’ infection
prevention behaviors” centers on the control and avoidance of healthcare-associated infections is
a significant issue in the healthcare industry worldwide. Despite initiatives and strategies, the
healthcare-associated infections still persist and amount to the significant economic burden on
healthcare. The earlier research is more focused on infection prevention behaviors and guideline
compliance. The current study aims to understand and explain everyday practice and behaviors
from the perspective of the actors themselves. This paper presents Rationalizing dirt-related
behavior and tries to explain infection prevention behavior among nurses at a London University
(Jackson, Lowton & Griffiths, 2014). The study in the next article” A comparative study of hand
hygiene and alcohol-based hand rub use among Irish nursing and medical students “is set in
Ireland, and the focus is on the role of Hand hygiene in averting healthcare related infections.
Hand rubbing using alcohol-based hand rub is considered critical acute-care facilities. The study
compares practices of hand cleanliness among nurses and medical students in Ireland. The
objective of the study is to get an insight on the current hand hygiene practices and make a wider
comprehension of this topic. This observational study is based on a questionnaire which is sent
electronically to the students of nursing and medicine in the Ireland University. Appropriate

EDUCATION 3
software is used to get the response rate and compliance. Results indicate the problem areas and
the scope for improvement in both disciplines (Kingston, O’Connell, & Dunne, 2018).
The paper offers a critique of two research papers and focuses on the analysis of the
research design and methodology as well as the strengths and limits of each. The critique studies
the strengths and limitations of a research study and is essential in the area of research inquiry as
it identifies the best current practices. The published research may or may not be scientifically
sound and carry little support for their validity. Thus, it becomes essential to critique research to
identify any biases or weakness in its results.
A critique of Infection prevention as ‘‘a show’’: A qualitative study of nurses’ infection
prevention behaviors
Introduction
Problem
The objective of the study was to explain everyday practice and behaviors among
nurses related to healthcare-associated infections. World Health Organization (WHO, 2011)
reports 16 million additional days in hospital due to healthcare associated infections in European
hospitals. The primary study aims to get an insight into the perceptions of risk of infection and
prevention behaviors related to infection. Evidence suggests that one’s own practice against
healthcare-associated infections relies on awareness of risk, social pressure or peer pressure
(Akyol et al., 2006). There is a clear statement of the problem as to why participants look at
others’ behaviors inappropriate but not in themselves. The problem is searchable and can be
investigated through the collection and analysis of data. The background of the research is
relevant to the research question, and the problem of healthcare-associated infections is an
important one for the healthcare industry.

EDUCATION 4
The article carries background info on the issue of healthcare-associated infections and
gives the significance of the problem discussed. The review of related literature is
comprehensive and makes use of peer-reviewed research articles from recent times. All cited
references are relevant to the problem under research. There are both primary and secondary
sources which have been critically analyzed and compared and contrasted. All sources used are
well within the field, and the abstract gives a clear and concise explanation of the paper. It
explains the why the research was carried out and the main findings and the conclusions.
Hypotheses
The study questions "How to explain infection prevention behavior among nurses and
presents 'Rationalizing dirt-related behavior' as one of the three identified themes.
Method
Identifying the infections simplified behavior as the rules were clear and it was felt
essential to get protection against dangerous micro-organisms (Whitby et al., 2006). Participants
are motivated by rationalized protection and behavior. Twenty interviews were carried out for
fourteen-month period and the transcribed verbatim and analyzed with the framework method.
Participants were registered nurses employed in a critical hospital environment and who were
recruited while studying. There are details regarding the age of the participants, their number
and gender and education.
Research Ethics
King’s College London granted Ethical approval for the sample which was convenient
and purposeful. This interpretative qualitative research makes use of vignettes structured from
nurses' accounts of practice and their reports on infection prevention behaviors.