Carrie Smithson    1 posts   Re: Topic 8 DQ 2            Not all EBP projects result in statistically significant results. In this discussion, I will define clinical significance, and explain the difference between clinical and statistical significance. “Statistical significance measures how likely that any apparent differences in outcome between treatment and control groups are real and not due by chance” (Leung, 2019, para. 2). There are common measures used with statistical significance such as p values and confidence intervals. The p values give the probability that any particular outcome would have arisen by chance with the assumption that the new and the control treatments are equally effective as the null hypothesis. Confidence intervals estimate the range which the real results would fall if the trial is conducted many times. “Clinical significance measures how large the differences in treatment effects are in clinical practice” (Leung, 2019, para. 3). Relative risk is independent of the prevalence of the disease and can be applied to populations with different prevalence of the disease. Relative risk is the ratio of the risks in the treatment group to the event rate in the control group. Statistical significance is all about numbers and data collection whereas clinical significance is how the EBP affects the clinical setting as a whole. I can use clinical significance to support positive outcomes in my project. Once the staff is taught how to teach the patients, and teaching is performed, patient outcomes start to progress. It is important to base education on what is specific to your unit so that the patients will receive the most optimal and pertinent information. When patients are educated more about what caused their diagnosis, such as tobacco use causing a stroke or heart attack, they can then take measures to prevent these diseases from occurring again. Patients use the information provided by the nurse staff to make informed decisions on their health care. When a patient makes a life changing change such as tobacco cessation, patient outcomes are more positive. This is my goal with my EBP project.  Reference  Leung, W.-C. (2019, March 1). Balancing statistical and clinical significance in  evaluating treatment effects. Retrieved from  https://pmj.bmj.com/content/77/905/201

Library Assignment

A critique is a method of displaying a logical and organized analysis of a written or oral piece. Critique can provide the readers with both positive and negative outcomes depending on the author. The purpose of this assignment is for the student to perform a critique on a research article that deals with today’s health issues. In this paper the student must be diligent at what the author is claiming, taking into account the research methods being utilized and look for pros and cons of the researcher’s outcomes.

The assignment must be a minimal of five pages, excluding title page and references. The assignment must be strictly following APA guidelines, points will be deducted if otherwise. Do not use first person throughout the paper until the section called evaluate the paper. It will be divided in the following manner:

Title page: Give the name of the article, the authors name(s) and your name. 

Following APA Introduction:

– Provide an overview of the author’s research problem, research questions and main point including how the author supports his or her point.

– Explain what the author initial objectives (hypothesis) and results including the process he or she used to arrive at such conclusion.

Evaluate the Research Methods: in paragraph form answer the following:

– Does the author provide a literature review?
– Is the research current and relevant to today existing health issues?

– Describe the research type utilized? – experimental, non-experimental, quasi experimental, etc. 

– Evaluate the sample (size, composition, or in the way the sample was selected in relation to the purpose of the study? Was the sample appropriate for the research or was it bias?

– How practical does this work seem to you? How does the author suggest research results could be applied and how do you believe they could be applied?

– Could the study have been improved in your opinion? If so provide how you think it could have improved.

– Is the writing in the article clear straightforward?
– Can further research be conducted on this subject? Explain

Conclusion: In your conclusion, try to synthesize the pieces of your critique to emphasize your own main points about the author’s work, relating the researcher’s work to your own knowledge or to topics being discussed in your course.

Reference Page: APA style, see rubric below

See Rubric Below for assignment (added as an attachment)