Researchers Use Scholarly Literature For Various Purposes

Researchers Use Scholarly Literature For Various Purposes In Their Wor

Researchers use scholarly literature for various purposes in their work, such as, but not limited to, establishing the need for and importance of their study or describing a theory. The problem statement is typically tied to the literature, and for this reason, these two components of research are presented together this week; this connection among research components will be a recurring theme throughout this course. For this Discussion, you will evaluate the use of literature and problem statements in assigned journal articles in your discipline to understand what it means for a research study to be justified, grounded, and original. You will use the Use of Literature Checklist, the Problem Statement Checklist, and the Litmus Test as guides for your post.

Evaluate use of literature in research studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Evaluate problem statement in research studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Explain criteria for a research study that is justified and grounded in the literature. Explain criteria for a problem that is original. Apply APA Style to writing. Be sure to support your Main Issue Post and Response Post with reference to the week’s Learning Resources and other scholarly evidence in APA Style. The Journal Article is attached. Hand hygiene performance and beliefs among public university employees.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In scholarly research, the use of literature and clearly articulated problem statements are fundamental to establishing the credibility and significance of a study. Literature review not only contextualizes the research but also demonstrates the researcher’s understanding of existing knowledge. The problem statement, intrinsically linked with the literature, highlights gaps, inconsistencies, or practical issues that warrant investigation. This paper evaluates these components within the article "Hand hygiene performance and beliefs among public university employees" and discusses how they contribute to the study’s justification, grounding, and originality.

Evaluation of the Use of Literature

The chosen article demonstrates thorough engagement with existing scholarly work on hand hygiene practices. The authors cite a broad range of literature, including recent studies on hand hygiene compliance in healthcare and non-healthcare settings. For instance, they reference World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on hand hygiene, establishing a globally recognized standard (WHO, 2009). The literature review effectively frames the importance of hand hygiene among university employees, focusing on behavioral and cultural factors influencing compliance. The authors critically analyze previous findings, highlighting gaps in understanding specific beliefs and practices within the university context. This comprehensive literature review exemplifies the criteria for an effective use of scholarly sources, grounding the study within the wider academic discourse (Booth, Sutton, & Papaioannou, 2012). Moreover, the citations are current and relevant, ensuring the study's relevance and justification.

Assessment of the Problem Statement

The problem statement in this article succinctly describes low compliance rates with hand hygiene practices among university employees and the need to understand underlying beliefs influencing behavior. It emphasizes a gap in research concerning non-clinical populations such as academic staff, which differentiates this study from healthcare-focused research. The problem is clearly connected to the literature, as previous studies identified compliance issues but did not explore belief systems in university settings specifically. The authors articulate that addressing this gap could lead to more targeted interventions to improve hand hygiene, which highlights the problem's practical significance (Creswell & Creswell, 2017). This aligns with established criteria for a compelling problem statement: it is specific, significant, and researchable.

Justification and Grounding of the Study

A study is justified and grounded in the literature when it addresses a clearly identified gap or inconsistency in previous work, demonstrating the need for further investigation. According to Leedy and Ormrod (2019), grounding involves establishing a logical connection between previous research and new questions. In this article, the authors justify their study by citing evidence of suboptimal hand hygiene compliance and elaborating on cultural and behavioral factors affecting adherence. The literature points to behavioral theories such as the Health Belief Model, which underpin the proposed investigation (Janz & Becker, 1984). This foundation lends credibility to the study and shows it is based on well-established theoretical frameworks and empirical findings.

Criteria for an Original Problem

An original research problem addresses a unique gap or offers a new perspective on an existing issue. The article exemplifies originality by focusing on a non-clinical population—university employees—whereas most prior research has concentrated on healthcare workers or patients (World Health Organization, 2009). It departs from traditional settings, exploring beliefs and behaviors in an academic context, adding novel insights into cultural and institutional influences on hand hygiene. Such an approach aligns with Creswell’s (2014) criterion that originality can stem from sample selection, theoretical framework, or research question expansion, all of which are evident in this study.

Application of APA Style

The article adheres to APA formatting guidelines, using proper in-text citations, reference formatting, and headings. The consistent citation of sources, including peer-reviewed journal articles and authoritative guidelines, exemplifies scholarly writing standards. Precision in referencing and clarity in articulation contribute to the paper’s academic integrity and credibility.

Conclusion

Effective scholarly research relies on a robust integration of literature and well-defined problem statements. The article "Hand hygiene performance and beliefs among public university employees" exemplifies strong use of scholarly sources to justify the study, a clear problem statement grounded in previous research, and an original approach that expands existing knowledge. Adherence to APA style further enhances its academic rigor. These components collectively contribute to the study’s validity and its contribution to improving hand hygiene practices in diverse settings.

References

  • Booth, A., Sutton, A., & Papaioannou, D. (2012). Systematic Approaches to a Successful Literature Review. SAGE Publications.
  • Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications.
  • Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications.
  • Janz, N. K., & Becker, M. H. (1984). The Health Belief Model: A decade later. Health Education Quarterly, 11(1), 1–47.
  • Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2019). Practical Research: Planning and Design (12th ed.). Pearson.
  • World Health Organization. (2009). WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. WHO Press.

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