Importance of the Article and Purpose
The article drafted by Günthard et al. in 2016 on ‘Antiretroviral Drugs for Treatment and Prevention of HIV Infection in Adults 2016 Recommendations of the International Antiviral Society–USA Panel’ is vital in the study of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and their importance. The article delves into the relevance of the drugs and narrows down to the reasons why ARVs need consistent usage. Research conducted by Insight Start Study Group (2015) and World Health Organization (2016) indicates that ARVs minimize instances of HIV infections among those at risk and help those who have the infection to lead healthy lives. The article resonates well with its topic. From the contents of the article, it is evident that it did not deviate from the topic. Although the journal does not have an abstract, it has a summary that provides the objectives, a review, findings of the research, and conclusion.
The summary explains why the journal is useful in unearthing issues relating to the use of ARVs and why the drugs are important in modern societies, a factor that clarifies its purpose. A close look at the journal reveals that the focus is on people who have attained 18 years and above. All through the journal, the purpose is emphasized so that the target audience can easily grasp the motive behind its development. The introduction is an integral part as it establishes the main content that the journal discuses. However, the brief nature of the introduction is a setback because it limits its effectiveness. According to Best and Kahn (2016), scientific journals should not only have an informative abstract but should also have a well-developed and detailed introduction. Therefore, when the journal drafted by Günthard et al. in 2016 uses a brief introduction its practicality, coverage, as well as overall quality diminishes.
Referencing Challenges and Repetitions
Consequently, although the journal tries to remain consistent with the topic and ensures that its contents are relevant referencing proves to be a complex issue, especially in line with its size. In several scientific journals, the reference list occupies a page as compared to textbooks and other secondary sources (Pears & Shields, 2016). However, the article under scrutiny drafted by Günthard et al. in 2016 uses more space in reference, which could otherwise be important in covering useful information on the subject. The article uses about seven pages, from page 204 to page 210, in references, a factor that hampers its quality.
Besides the length of the reference list, some citations used in the article are outdated about the dynamic and ever-changing nature demonstrated by contemporary societies. Some sources such as reference number 69 on page 206 date back to 2001, whereas number 143 on page 207 has its date of publication as 2000 (Günthard et al., 2016). In as much as these sources may look like they have credible pieces of information, their reliability is questionable because modern society is ever-changing. Presently, numerous interventions and treatment options used by medical practitioners are different from those that were useful 18 years ago.
Additionally, some information provided in the word format also appears in tables. A good example is on page 192 where the method of research appears in the word explanation and later in the table (Günthard et al., 2016). Remarkably, a double explanation of certain parts of the journal is unwise because there is more to cover especially on an issue that presently affects millions of people around the world. From the statistics provided by Godwin (2017), 36.7 million people were suffering from HIV and related infections in the world as of 2015. Therefore, journals such as the one advanced by Günthard et al. in 2016 should stick to the relevant contents and avoid engaging in acts that fail to utilize the available space optimally.
Unclear Methodology
Fundamentally, one of the areas that are unclear from the journal under review is the research and the procedures followed to provide findings. Out of the scrutiny, it appears that the journal relies on recommendations advanced by a team of experts appointed by the United States International Antiviral Society following a study that the team conducted from 2015 to 2016. Reliance on recommendations from the team implies that in case of a mishap in the findings, the quality of information provided by the journal could decline significantly. It is evident that the procedure is unclear and the method only appears on page 192 when the journal refers to the study and the recommendations. Ary, Jacobs, Irvine, and Walker (2018) note that scientific journals improve their relevance on a particular field when they undertake studies and provide authentic findings. Gustavii (2017) explains that failure to have a clear process of research is a setback that affects the quality of several scientific journals. It is important to note that when the article under study uses recommendations from another team, they are in effect, cutting corners into the provision of findings not sourced from their study.
References
Ary, D., Jacobs, L., Irvine, C., & Walker, D. (2018). Introduction to research in education. New York: Cengage Learning.
Best, J., & Kahn, J. (2016). Research in education. New Delhi, India: Pearson Education India.
Godwin, G. (2017). The science in the works of God: Science confirming the scriptures. Chennai, India: Notion Press.
Günthard, H., Saag, M., Benson, C., Rio, C., Eron, J., Gallant, J.,… & Gandhi, R. (2016). Antiretroviral Drugs for Treatment and Prevention of HIV Infection in Adults 2016 Recommendations of the International Antiviral Society–USA Panel. JAMA, 316(2), 191-210.
Gustavii, B. (2017). How to write and illustrate a scientific paper. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Insight Start Study Group. (2015). Initiation of antiretroviral therapy in early asymptomatic HIV infection. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(9), 795-807.
Pears, R., & Shields, G. (2016). Cite them right: The essential referencing guide. Palgrave Macmillan.
World Health Organization. (2016). Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection: recommendations for a public health approach. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.