Data was collected using direct and indirect measures on demographic information, general health status, ulcer status, functional ability, levels of pain and quality of life. Direct measures included the measurement of all ulcers using the dot point method and the PUSH scale in order to view the progress of ulcer healing. By systematically analysing the ulcers using a standardised tool, this minimises objectivity in measurements (Burns & Grove, 2003). Observation was adopted looking at the presence of oedema, eczema, infection and recurrence. An educational package was also provided to the nurse care team prior to the trial commencing which ensures reliability and provides consistent treatment to both the controlled and intervention groups. Other than the PUSH scale there is limited information regarding data collection which may in turn make it difficult to reproduce the study. Dissemination of EBP Results Essay
The intervention group also had social and goal settings included within their trials. This could produce confounding variables which are described as an intervention between the action of the independent variable on the dependent variable therefore confounding our ability to be confident in the existence of a cause and effect relationship (Newell & Burnard, 2006, pg133). Dissemination of EBP Results Essay
The idea of a pilot study is to allow the researchers to have a good idea of whether all the respondents understand the questions in the same manner, whether the questions are suitable to that population, whether the questions are formatted correctly and how relevant the question are (Parahoo, 2006). This can ensure reliability which can be described as the extent of the entity is measured in a consistent way (Newell & Burnard, 2006). It is also useful to use a pilot study to ascertain the feasibility and test the validity and reliability of the research design without incurring the cost of a larger RCT (Polit & Beck, 2006). To be reliable in a quantitative study, a measure needs to be repeatable, giving similar responses in the same conditions, and it needs to be reproducible, giving similar responses in different conditions (Newell & Burnard, 2006). The study is reliable as it achieved the research question by drawing a comparison between two participant groups (Burns & Grove, 2003). Dissemination of EBP Results Essay
The study was granted ethical approval by St Luka’s Nursing Service and Queensland University of Technology, however the author’s failed to state what consent was given by the participants or the information that was provided to them before the study commenced. It is good practice to notify the reader that information was given to the participants regarding informed consent, confidentiality and that participation was voluntary and they had the option to withdraw at any time (Tod et al, 2009). Dissemination of EBP Results Essay
The researchers analysed the data by using an appropriate statistical database program and various types of testing were used. The T-test was used to underline any standard variation between the control group and intervention group which could influence the study results. Gerrish & Lacey (2006) advise the most suitable test for this type of research is the chi squared test. The authors adopted this within the study to obtain an unconditional outcome. As the sample size was small with only thirty three participants the researchers used triangulation tests to collate data from the different stages of the study in order to represent accurately the phenomenon being investigated (Gerrish & Lacey, 2006). Dissemination of EBP Results Essay
The results of the study were presented via a graph which provides easy to interpret data (Parahoo, 2006). More in depth results were provided by narrative text usually found in qualitative research, and statistical information. The results were not generalisable due to the small size of the study (Parahoo, 2006). A literature review was carried out by the authors and they made comparisons from their findings to past studies. This makes the study more reliable as the other studies were found to have produced similar results (Cormack, 2000).
It is noted that the authors identified limitations within their study which included potential issues with regards to limited consistency due to the higher than normal staff turnover at the commencement of the trial. Clients with diabetes were excluded from the trial so any benefit that resulted in the study may not be applicable to this group of patients. Overall the research design was good for this type of trial as the study was a pilot, sample size is not a limitation as the main aim is to test out the hypothesis and study design (Polit & Beck, 2006). The use of RCT’s reduces the risk o
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