Methodology Research Design
The quasi-experimental design involving a pre-test and post-test on the sample has been explicitly brought out. The treatments for the control group and the experimental group were undertaken independently from each other involving different treatments. This is crucial in ensuring a clear manipulation of the independent variables. It is important to note that the control group did not receive any form of the comprehensive nutritional protocol and this goes a long way to prevent ambiguity in determining the impact of the treatment under observation. The researcher has attempted to control extraneous variables by using a control group that receives a different treatment. However not all extraneous variables have been controlled, for example, the time period for the control treatment differs from that of the experimental treatment and this could result in bias. All in all, the design appears adequate in testing the hypothesis as the sample size is adequate for generalizability of the results.
Methodology Data Collection Instruments
The data collection tools used for the study are; the Braden Scale and the Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool. These tools have been tested widely and found to have a high validity rate and this makes them highly reliable. The researchers have been able to maintain high interrater reliabilities ranging from 0.9 to 0.92 for both observation tools with nine individuals employing them. The internal validity of the study is good owing to the fact that the observations are conducted by a third party and not the participants themselves hence a higher level of objectivity is achieved. However, likert scale used for wound assessment which is on a five point level could pose some challenges on validity as the observers may not be willing to record the extremes. This does not however affect the study a lot as the observers are not the study researchers and therefore they will have no reason to be biased (Allen, 2012).
References
Allen, B. (2012). Effects of a Comprehensive Nutritional Program on Pressure Ulcer Healing, Length of Hospital Stay, and Charges to Patients: Sage.
