For Module 8 “Reflection artifact”, this author will explain the ways how the author developed the skills, knowledge and attitudes that helps to achieve the goals for the courses. Finally, the author chose the peer review assignment which represents the best learning (artifact) in the course. The theoretical and scientific underpinning course focuses on the integration of scientific and theoretical concepts that impact advanced nursing practice. Students are to examine the scientific foundations for nursing, including pathophysiological, psychosocial, and environmental sciences. Students are able to explore the patterns and processes of knowledge development and the current utilization of new knowledge in professional settings.
Several course goals are explained during the beginning of the course that includes: investigate and apply the theory into the nursing practice, integrate the evidence-based practice into the healthcare delivery, examine the knowledge from several sciences for devoting quality of healthcare and , knowledge acquisition analysis. Different ways to develop the learning skills Critical reflection is an essential factor to develop knowledge, skills and attitude. Some of the professional skills the author developed throughout the 8-week class includes: meeting the deadlines for the discussion and assignments, decision -making process to identify the relevant topic for assignment and for discussions, team work skills, critical thinking by asking relevant questions and responding to discussion topics on time.
Throughout the course the author learned about the several ways to do the literature review. Conducting a literature review in the 21st century is a challenge for the researcher. The emphasis on evidence-based decision making in healthcare, the exponential increase in the volume of scientific literature, and the growing dependence on ever changing computer technologies result in more complicated research environment. How the course helped to achieve the goals Some of the goals the author wants to achieve during the eight-week course includes how to cite the contents on the assignments correctly and, also want to develop good writing skills. The course instructor being very helpful throughout the course by giving several feed backs. All the students at Aspen University are required to cite the sources using the APA (American Psychological Association) style. The Student Success Center at the aspen university website provides all general guidelines for APA formatting.
Importance of peer Review (learning artifact) The author chosen the peer review assignment as the best learning (artifact) in the course. Based on the feedback from the instructor, the author made edits to the assignment. Peer review, also known as the referee process, where the editors use to help ensure professional integrity of nursing knowledge through an unbiased, blinded critique. Peer review is divided to focus on two primary purposes. The purpose of first one is to make sure only high-quality research is published and the study is original. The second purpose is to improve the quality of manuscripts that are relevant and suitable for publication. To accomplish these purposes, editors or writers assume the responsibility of selecting reviewers who have demonstrated advanced knowledge or practice in a particular role (educator, researcher and administrator) or patient care specialty.
The primary objectives of a peer review are examine the research topic has been formulated well, and to select the approach that is appropriate to address any issues involved. examine the methodology to determine the reproducibility of results, to assess the originality of the research results to examine and cover the legal aspects 5) to assess the ‘readability’ of the work, the logical framework of the argument to determine if conclusions are well-founded. To provide critical feedback to authors on how to improve the quality of their manuscripts (whether it be changing the control groups, the experimental techniques/approaches/methods/equipment used, or showing a better method to determine the statistical significance/p-values of the data) and also identify any major/minor errors that need correcting before publication.
Peer reviewing forms a fundamental part of the scientific process and has a long tradition. Although it does have drawbacks, such as being time-consuming and having potential conflicts of interest, overall there are many advantages to the peer review system. It is important, both for authors and editors, who greatly benefit from the expertise and recommendations delivered by a good peer reviewer. Moreover, it ensures, as much as possible, to filter and uphold the quality of the scientific literature and help advance the scientific knowledgebase. Reviewers are now increasingly recognized for their work, providing peer reviewing with a bright future (Miracle,2008). Peer review has been criticized as not always being an effective means to ensure the validity of content published or the fairness of the manuscript selection process. Despite its potential weakness, peer review is the most appropriate means of selecting manuscripts for publication. Reviewers screen manuscripts for quality, accuracy, timeliness, relevance and appropriateness prior to publish the paper.
Assessing the quality for research papers includes several methods. One is the peer review and its already being addressed. Peer reviewed research needs to be evaluated by experienced researchers with relevant experience. Usually the Peer-reviewed research are of high quality. Some of the web searches will provide the information if a particular source is evaluated by per review. Another method is looking for accuracy and quality of the information from the prints source or from the internet. For example: Is the information provides any specific? The topic that include things and events happening in the world, accuracy is very important. Information and data should be based on measurements, observations, analysis, interpretations and conclusion. All the information should be verifiable in all the situations for accuracy.
Another criterion is to make sure source meets the requirements on the research topic. Do the study and see if the source covers only one aspect of your research topic or it covers comprehensively. Also find out what extent do the source answer the research topic. Another step is to find out if the source is scholarly or a popular source There are several sources of ideas to identify the focus of an inquiry. Once a detailed search and evaluation of the evidence has been conducted, the focus of the learning can be defined in the form of a purpose, objectives, and the specific aims, along with well-developed research questions. Once researchers have identified a topic of interest and conducted a details literature review, they can define the study by developing its purpose, objectives, and aims.
Determining a focus of study is difficult process. The topic that needs to study, the literature and clinically drive questions can be obtained from multiple sources. Analyzing the literature is critical to understand what is known about the topic and figure out what the unknowns are. This helps to determine the purpose and scope of the study. Once the scope or the focus is determined further research question or hypotheses can be determined. Once the hypotheses are determined, we can figure out what the independent and dependent variable are. There by conduct a statistical test and use that as a level of measurement. A non-peer reviewed publication is one that does not have an editorial board and is not considered credible for research or scholarly projects peer reviewed publications include many internet sites that report several news or heath related information, magazines, and newspapers.
When journals or manuscripts that are not peer-reviewed, the editor reviews manuscripts and decides which manuscripts will be published, using similar criteria to that used by peer-reviewed journals. Although the articles in such journals may be excellent, the lack of peer review reduces their credibility. Journals that are peer reviewed will state so somewhere within the issue. If such statement is not found, contact the journal’s editorial office and seek clarification. According to Mateo &Foreman (2014) If the manuscript is not accepted or rejected, there are two options for the editor to choose. First option that you could call and speak to the editor personally for clarification and suggestions. A good editor will be honest about the quality of the manuscript and may recommend options. The second option is to revise and submit the manuscript to another journal. Make sure to focus the revised content to the new journal’s readership and editorial purpose. In summary there are several methods to assess the research topic. Peer-review is one of the standard methods for quality and best practice. In evaluating a research paper, the goal of peer review is to assess the quality of source the researcher used.
References
- APA Manual (Publication manual of the American Psychological Association). (2010). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
- https://classroom.aspen.edu/d2l/le/content/37030/Home
- Ludwig, R., & Wood, B. (2012). The difference between peer review and non-peer review. Radiologic technology,84(1),90-92.
- Mateo, M. A., & Foreman, M. D. (2013). Research for advanced practice nurses: From evidence to practice. (2nd edition). New York: Springer Publishing Company.
- Miracle, V.A. (2008). The peer review process. Dimensions in critical care nursing,27(2),67-69.
