Answer to a question from previous selected source - Research Paper Example

Answer to a Question from a Previous Source Ferner (2009) applied in his work a systems analysis. He d: “In this review I consider some of the problems in counting and classifying medication errors” (Ferner, 2009, p.614). He undertook a systems analysis by taking into consideration not only psychological factors, but also factors such as algorithms used to assess whether an error took place. Though his paper is focused on reviewing and critiquing the approach to medication error data collection and analysis, Ferner (2009) wrote it in a manner that showed how the design of this field of research in general might be flawed.

This paper critiques and reviews the approach to research on medication errors conducted so far. However, Ferner (2009, p.616) also further noted that lack of use of certain algorithms by hospitals, such as the Bayes Theorem, hinders the efficiency of medication error recognition and research. He also discussed the use of numerical methods to assess errors, such as the causality assessment, again focusing on systems analysis of research on medication errors. He focused on failures in design and organization, which then lead to error on behalf of researchers.

Ferner (2009) focused on the analysis of scientific method design, which leads to errors in medication error research. Ferner (2009, p.615) pointed out implicitly that design is a problem in research by pointing out the comparison between spontaneous reporting and search by an algorithm. The fact that hospitals do not use the Bayes Theorem is beyond the power of a researcher, who is then limited by the organizational structure of a hospital. Instead of analyzing the medication errors committed in hospitals, Ferner (2009) analyzed how errors take place in research on medication errors.

His focus was on the organizational and design flaws of the research methods. Besides only focusing on how researchers commit mistakes while counting errors, he also pointed out that sometimes organizational flaws or algorithms can lead to error in research. Thus, though his work resembles expert opinion, Ferner (2009) went beyond only stating his opinion on counting medication errors, or evaluating the obtained data. He provided an analysis of failures, improvements and recommendations for every step in research on medication errors.

ReferencesFerner, R.E. (2009). The epidemiology of medication errors: the methodological difficulties. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 67(6): 614 – 620. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2009.03417.xLevel I: Systems