Topic of interest
Type 2 diabetes.
Research article
Mimenza-Alvarado, A. J., Jimenez-Castillo, G. A., Yeverino-Castro, S. G., Barragan-Berlanga, A. J., Perez-Zepeda, M. U., Avila-Funes, J. A., & Aguilar-Navarro, S. G. (2020). Effect of poor glycemic control in cognitive performance in the elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Mexican Health and Aging Study. BMC Geriatrics, 20(424), 1-8. Web.
Professional practice use
The study concluded that “low glycated hemoglobin levels in older adults with type 2 diabetes are associated with worse cognitive performance” (Mimenza-Alvarado et al., 2020, p. 7). These results prove that the control of cognitive impairment risk factors should be prioritized as a primary prevention strategy.
Research analysis matrix
The strengths of the research are its large selection of participants and carefully chosen evaluation and research methods. The limitations of the study are its cross-sectional nature, the usage of only one measurement, and the inclusion of only community-dwelling residents (Mimenza-Alvarado et al., 2020). These limitations lead to difficulties in making cause-effects statements, the low statistical power of the research, and the limitations in the external validity of the results. The research is relevant because it contributes to the studies of the association between glycemic control and cognitive performance in older adults across different countries.
Article evaluation
The analyzed article can be used to inform professional practice. It was published in 2020 and presents the most current analysis of the data on glycemic control and cognitive performance among elderly people in Mexico. The authors are the qualified representatives of a number of health care and educational institutions across Mexico, and the study was approved by several review boards (Mimenza-Alvarado et al., 2020). The qualitative and quantitative information in the paper is supported by sources and used to make objective and informative conclusions that contribute to the subject. The article is peer-reviewed and published in an academic journal.
Summary
To identify and analyze peer-reviewed articles, I use the Walden University Library databases on the subject of nursing and the Walden University guidelines on literature review, collecting resources, and research evaluation. The strategy that I use to collect articles includes selecting a relevant database in Walden University Library and using adequate search criteria to find a particular result (Walden University, n.d. a). When I need to find an article on a specific subject, I do not restrict my search to a single database and use keywords to hunt throughout the library. I use Walden University Library most often because it has an extensive collection of databases on various subjects and a user-friendly search system that simplifies the selection process.
For article analysis and evaluation, I use Walden University resources and the CARP test. The Evaluating Resources section of the Walden University website provides comprehensive information on resource identification, basics of analysis, and evaluation methods (Walden University, n.d. b). For journal articles, it includes determining the type of journal and the paper’s content, scope, purpose, accountability, and writing style (Walden University, n.d. b). The CARP test is a method for evaluating sources of information based on four criteria: Currency, Authority, Relevance & Reliability, and Purpose (“Evaluating sources (CARP test),” n.d.). It helps to decide whether a source is reliable, relevant, and of suitable academic quality to be used in research. To evaluate a source, I first use Walden University guidelines for basic analysis and then the CARP test to determine the quality of the article and its relevance to my research.
References
Evaluating sources (CARP test). (n.d.). NU Library. Web.
Mimenza-Alvarado, A. J., Jimenez-Castillo, G. A., Yeverino-Castro, S. G., Barragan-Berlanga, A. J., Perez-Zepeda, M. U., Avila-Funes, J. A., & Aguilar-Navarro, S. G. (2020). Effect of poor glycemic control in cognitive performance in the elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Mexican Health and Aging Study. BMC Geriatrics, 20(424), 1-8. Web.
Walden University. (n.d. a). Evaluating resources: Journals. Web.
Walden University. (n.d. b). Subject research: Nursing. Web.