Strengths: 1. There are two clear objectives in this study. Hypothesis were formed to link the research problems and the intervention. The objectives interpret the experimental trail will do what and the manipulated variables and predicted outcomes .2.In this research ,the evaluation way is new and can help interpret the effect of manipulated variables.
Weakness: 1. the article in the previous contents did not show the hypothesis.
Recommendation: 1. after the theory,give the hypothesis.
Sample size
strengths:1.In this part, the study gave the previous study parameter like SD ,and based on it gave the sample size factor parameters : power, significance level. 2.The attrition rate the author described in the article. 3.the representativeness of sample is good. Reason:Use a computer-generated random number(sample random) and randomized permuted blocks of size four(.allocation random :) to decrease the bias . (randomisation) 4.Took an allocation concealment to eliminate the selection bias . (Randomisation) 5.The author describe the independent rater was blinded. (Blinding) weakness: 1.the author show the number of refused people (in the figure 4),but not show the refusal rates . 2. no sample calculating method. 3.In this study, the author describe the inclusion criteria but not exclusion criteria(representativeness increase) .(participants) 4.The main limitation of permuted block randomization is the potential for bias if treatment assignments become known or predictable . 5.no blinding was used in the observed and intervention group . (Blinding) Recommendation: 1.report the refusal rates . 2. power analysis can help the athuor analyze the outcomes . 3.Set the inclusion ,exclusion and discontinuation criteria. 4.The major demographic characteristics such as general geographic location, type of institutional affiliation, sex and age should be disclosed. Do not change the inclusion criteria . 5. increase the block size to reduce the predictivity.
participants
registed nurses
at least 1-year experience in cancer and palliative care
not completed an accredited 3-day communication skills course within the past 5 years;
patients
speak English
no cognitive impairment
could give informed consent to participate in an interview with a nurse
Actors were used when the nurses experienced organisational difficulties in gaining access to real patients.
the author in his review showed that no research explored the patients‘ feeling about the communication skills
Randomisation
Blinding
Procedure
strengths: 1.The study was reviewed and approved by the ethics committee ,so from the nurses’ angle this study satisfy the autonomy ,non-maleficence ,beneficence and justice principles. 2.The data were protected after the questionnaires were completed which keep the information confidentiality. weakeness: 1. patients are vulnerable group. 2.the study did not consider the patients’ willingness and their rights . 3.how to handle with the tapes after using the materials,did not describe. 4.the time the outcomes data collect are different between the control and experiment group. ( procedure) 5.In the data collection process, how to send and collect questionnaires and whether anonymously were not showed in the article. Recommendation: 1. interpret the process and apparatus used to the patients participants and let them know the research . 2.got the agreement with this research. 3.interpret the reason why data collect time are different. 4. In the methodology part , the ways data collecting need to describe clearly for the purpose of helping readers replicate the study.
design
strengths :The study Clearly state research design: intervention approach(22 courses) , intervention time(3 days), intervention subjects(nurses), intervention place( 10 geographical locations), intervention settings(hospice settings) , intervention holder, intervention outcome(communication skills) and experiment design(control and undertake intervention ) .
Intervention
Strengths: 1. In the intervention the author introduced the intervention programme and the predictive aims .the aims are clear in the intervention . 2.Describe the theory of intervention , research problems .who would implement the intervention also be talked here.
weakness:1.show the intervention details in the table , did not describe how to do ,how evaluate the effect. 2.The theory was old and several researchers had confirmed its effect in the books , but it did not describe how this theory affect the intervention and what relationship between the theory and intervention.
recommendation: 1.interpret how to use the intervention ,how the intervention taken on the participants . 2. As a theory ,it should interpret the relationship between the problems and the intervention. At the same time ,how implement the intervention should explain it in detail especially the contents in the table.
Primary outcome
strength: 1.The author described the instruments as followed the aims and the advantages and applicability of the tools used, these two parts had a clear logic. 2.The author gave the reason why chosen the instruments . 3. described data triangulation in this part weakness:no validity and reliability. the original articles by cited also did not show the no validity and reliability of primary outcome scale . recommendation: As a data triangulation research , different measurement methods should be described in detail to help the reader understand the research carried out.