Critique of Research: Best Practice Wound Care Article Analysis Report

This report provides a detailed critique of a research article focused on best practice wound care. The critique analyzes various aspects of the research, including its focus on barriers and alterations in implementing best practice care for wound care programs, the background highlighting the high-risk nature of wound care, and the study's aims to improve patient outcomes and clinician empowerment. The methodology is evaluated, pointing out the lack of proper organization, absence of inclusion/exclusion methods, and the non-adherence to the PICO format. The critique also examines the data collection methods, highlighting the use of both primary and secondary sources, and the limitations of unstructured interviews. The data analysis and presentation are assessed, noting the effective use of graphs but also the absence of advanced computer programs and coding systems. Furthermore, the critique addresses the sampling methods, ethical considerations, main findings, strengths, and limitations of the study, offering recommendations for improvement. The report emphasizes the need for a more robust methodology, structured data collection, and ethical considerations to enhance the research's validity and impact.

Research Critique

INTRODUCTION
Research critique refers to the analysis of a particular study on the basis of its findings and
evaluation. This helps in identifying whether the investigation is appropriately conducted by the
author or not (Charnes, Cooper, Lewin & Seiford, 2013). The analysis of the research includes its
research methodology, data collection, sampling, focus, future scope, literature review, aims and
objectives, etc. By evaluating all these factors, an individual can identify whether the specific
research is good or not.
For the present essay, article on Best practice wound care is taken into the consideration. It is
qualitative and interpretative research and both primary and secondary methods are used by the
researcher for achieving the objectives.
Focus
The overall article describes that there are various barriers and alterations in implementing
best practice care for wound care programmes (Matthews & Ross, 2014). The research paper states
that due to lack of coordination and guidance the clinical practice which is provided by area health
services is sometimes outdated and inconsistent to the patient. The overall focus of the research
article was to implement more standardized process so that the clinical outcomes related to wound
care management is improved.
Background
The primary purpose of the research article is to report achievements of the best practice of
wound care programmes. In the article it is clearly states that wound care is a high volume and high
risk based health activity (O'Brien, et.al, 2011). If the wounds are not treated on time it can lead to
delayed healing and infections which may lead to unmanageable pain and reduced quality of life of
the patient. No epidemiological studies have been conducted and there is a need to conduct
appropriate research I n order to study the high volume of wounds in managing infections and
healing. In the article it was clearly stated that more than 48% of patients had at least one wound
which was followed by 11 % of people having skin tears (Edwards, et.al, 2013).
Aim
The aim of the research paper was clearly mentioned in the study. There were two aims
which were formulated in the study and it stated “to improve the outcomes and quality of life for
patients with wound care problems in NSCCHS community” (O'Brien, et.al, 2011). Another aim of
the research paper was to empower all the clinicians and patients to enable delivery of best
practice , innovation and cost effective care to all the patients
Methodology
Research methodology refers to the selection of proper methods and approaches as per the
requirement of the study. It helps researcher in evaluating the findings properly for accomplishing

the objectives. As it is key part of investigation, proper and effective selection of methods results in
finding of proper solutions of the research questions (Elo, et.al, 2014).
With reference to the given article, research methodology is not appropriate and effective.
The study is lacking selection of proper methods and approaches for achieving the aims and
objectives. By evaluation, it has been found that investigation has been taken place in both primary
and secondary manner. But it lacks proper organisation of the methods used for getting relevant
information. Along with this, it is a qualitative and interpretative research which includes gap
analysis. Different sources of information is collected by the researcher for fulfilling the gap. On the
other hand, there is no use of inclusion and exclusion methods, which are important for conducting
medical research properly (Leach, et.al, (2014). Due to this, it is difficult to identify the criteria
which are included and excluded by the investigator while conducting the study. In addition, the
formation of research questions is not as per the PICO formate. The investigation lack,
ethnographic, grounded theory and broad qualitative design. All these factors makes the research
weak and inappropriate. It is essential to use all these methods and theories in medical study for
finding solutions of the problem effectively. Due to the lack of all the proper methods and
strategies, the study is unable to achieve its aim. Researcher will have to analyse all the methods
and approaches properly before conducting the research methodology (Charnes, Cooper, Lewin &
Seiford, 2013). This will help him/her in making the study more relevant and appropriate with
accomplishment of the aims and objectives. Investigator can use ethnographic theory for getting
proper outcomes as per the research questions and objectives.
Tools of data collection
Data collection refers to the gathering of information from primary, secondary or both
sources. There are different tools available with the help of which authors can collect information in
appropriate manner (Matthews & Ross, 2014). It is essential to use those data collection instruments
properly for gathering relevant information with respect to the aims and objectives of the study.
The article Best practice wound care, includes data collection methods. Information is
gathered by researcher in both primary and secondary manner. For secondary information, literature
review is conducted by the author. It is for establishing international best practice standards
regarding wound care. But there is not any proper detail about the sources used by the investigator
for collecting all secondary information. It lacks use of previous studies, researches, articles for
making the present research more relevant to the subject. On the other hand, primary sources are
used by the researcher for collecting primary information from the key stakeholders (O'Brien, et.al,
2011). For identifying the views and opinions of the participants regarding wound care, interviews
are held by the author. But these are unstructured interviews. There is no information about the type

of questions asked by the investigator from the stakeholders. In addition, it is unclear that whether
the author asked similar questions at the time of interview to the participants or different. The
primary source needs to be proper and structured for getting appropriate results. Use of unstructured
interview has affected the findings of the study. Along with this, a visit is also made by the author to
the tertiary referral wound care clinics for collecting appropriate information (Edwards, et.al, 2013).
This represents that, researcher has done some type of analysis for collecting relevant information
regarding the subject or wound care. But it needs to be more appropriate and efficient for getting
more accurate findings.
On the other hand, qualitative tool has not been used by the author for checking the accuracy
of the studies. The key barriers while collecting the information were local resistance and lack of
experiences (Charnes, Cooper, Lewin & Seiford, 2013). This somewhere affects the implementation
of structural and cultural changes regarding the wound care.
Methods of data analysis
Data analysis and presentation is conducted properly in the study. Each and every results of
the questions are appropriately represented with the help of graphs. Use of illustrations in the study
makes easy for reader to understand the findings (Barker, et.al, 2013). Along with this, findings are
effectively explained by the researcher. This shows that, author has given proper time for analysing
the obtained data from both primary and secondary sources. Along with this, Institute for Healthcare
Improvement Assessment Scale for collaboratives has been used by the researcher for analysing
each and every data properly. In addition , different wound care interventions of the study are
monitored effectively by the author by using MINITAB statistical software (Alavi, et.al, 2015).
This compare the results properly and provide the outcomes accordingly. On the other hand,
there is no use of NUDIST and Nvivo kind of computer programs. In addition, there is no proper
use of system designs such as Colaizzi and Van Manon (Morgan, 2015). Themes are not mentioned
with their proper codes and this creates problem for the reader. At the place of this, illustrations and
description has been used by the investigator. The data is in the form of observed descriptions and
obtained information from primary sources.The data analysis shows that researcher has tried his
level best for analysing the information properly and efficiently. But with the help of different tools
and computer programs, author can make it more effective and accurate (Dowsett, Davis,
Henderson & Searle, 2012).
Sample
Although the sample size of participants involved in the study has been stated but there is no
method for selection of participants mentioned in the overall study (Elo, et.al, 2014). The research
paper includes that a survey was conducted of overall 35 staff members in which majority of the

staff members stated that wound care program was achieving its goals and objectives but it was no
where clear that on what basis those participants were selected. Moreover the research article did
not mention whether the findings and results of the study are applicable to all the participants or not.
Apart from inclusion and exclusion criteria of the patients there was no sampling strategies
mentioned in the research article (Leach, et.al, (2014).
Ethical Considerations
No ethical considerations related to the study have been followed by the researcher in the
research paper (Matthews & Ross, 2014). Before conducting a study in a specified manner it is very
necessary to get an informed consent from the LREC or International review board so that study can
be performed by underpinning various ethical considerations of the study. It is very necessary to
take in account all the ethical considerations so that patients and participants who are included in
the study should not be treated unequally in any case. Further it also helps in conducting the study
in systematic manner so that limitations are reduced.
Main findings
The findings and results should be based on aims and objectives that are designed in the
research paper. To review all the findings of the study, general evaluation questions were framed
which helped in accurately determining the results and findings of the study (Edwards, et.al, 2013).
The results of the study were according to the aims being formulated. In the results it was stated that
among the 35 staff members which were chosen for survey 97% complied with the ongoing
research and it was evaluated that implementation of program was successful in achieving the goals
and objectives. Less than 100% of received some care interventions but not all received it
completely (O'Brien, et.al, 2011).
Conclusion and Recommendations
The overall study of the research paper was based on barriers and changes that are related to
one element of wound care programme being best practice care. Both primary and secondary
researches were conducted in the research according to different criteria (O'Brien, et.al, 2011). The
study is based on one of the most important topic in nursing care but it could have been more
successful if certain limitations in the study was reduced an overcome. In the secondary research,
inclusion and exclusion criteria for the selection of previous articles were not included. Further
recommendation can be including a checklist of questions which were asked to all the participants
during survey and interview rounds (Barker, et.al, 2013).
Strength and Limitations
In the current research paper there were more limitations as compared to strengths. Aims in
the research paper was clearly mentioned according to the criteria but no research question was
developed with the help of PICO framework. This was one of the limitation of the paper. Secondly

the overall research was based on both primary and secondary study so it was very important for the
researcher to include number or participants and the criteria of selection of the participants so that
chances of bias behaviour were reduced (Alavi, et.al, 2015). Further it was not included that which
participants were included and who were not included in the study. Moreover in the secondary
research of the article no inclusion and exclusion criteria for the selection of articles was listed
which was one of the major limitation of the research paper. The results drawn from the study was
relevant to the aims of the paper but the sampling strategies and interview question in the study
were not mentioned anywhere. Lastly ethical consideration in the entire study was not taken into
account which was also one of the drawbacks of the study (O'Brien, et.al, 2011).
Application to practice
As this topic is one of the most relevant subjects in nursing this research paper will applied
in nursing practice (Morgan, 2015). But if this research paper is modified and various limitations
are eliminated then this paper will be understood in a more better way.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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313-320.
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Dowsett, C., Davis, L., Henderson, V., & Searle, R. (2012). The economic benefits of negative
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Edwards, H. et.al., (2013). Health service pathways for patients with chronic leg ulcers: identifying
effective pathways for facilitation of evidence based wound care.BMC health services
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Leach, M. O. et.al., (2014). Assessment of antiangiogenic and antivascular therapeutics using MRI:
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Matthews, B., & Ross, L. (2014). Research methods. Pearson Higher Ed.
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