IntroductionThe purpose of this article is to explore and critically analyze two research articles. The critical analysis will explain the significance of the study, evaluate the research design and method used in these articles. To identify possible gaps, it will provide a review of the literature in this research and the possibility of a new study. The project plan, for possible research, will be developed on the potential gaps and the essay will end with the conclusion. A study carried out in 1997 highlights that in the United Kingdom, between 38 and 57% of people in long-term care have a moderate to severe form of dementia (Elliot et al 1999). The most recent information shows that in the UK almost 800,000 people are affected by dementia, resulting in a financial burden costing the economy £23 billion a year. It is also predicted that by 2040, the number of people affected by the disease is expected to double (Alzheimer's Society Dementia Report 2012). This condition is preceded by a decline in baseline performance considered abnormal for the person's age and abilities. . Mild cognitive impairment is characterized by the onset of changes in memory as well as daily performance. Severe cognitive impairment is compounded by a more serious loss of performance of mental processes, resulting in a person being unable to live alone (Fann et al, 2005). The health, social, and economic impacts of cognitive impairment are clear to many health care providers. However, this health issue has not received enough national attention. According to Zwakhalen et al. (2006), half of people living in retirement homes suffer from cognitive disorders. Most evidence suggests that most older people suffer from persistent pain, which causes unnecessary distress...... middle of article ......(2012) Alzheimer's Society Dementia A National Challenge. Report. Available at: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?fileID=1389 [Accessed 3 February 2014] Massano, J. (2012) Cognitive impairment and dementia – an update. Frontiers.Frontier in neurology.3(52)pp7Sheikh K, et al. 2011. Building the field of health policy and systems research: defining the questions. PLoS Med, 8 (8)Stein, W. M 2001. Pain management in the elderly: pain in retirement homes. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 17, 575-594.Zwakhalen, S., Hamers, J., Abu-Saad.H., Berger, B 2006. Pain in older people with severe dementia: a systematic review of treatment tools behavioral assessment of pain. BMC Geriatrics. 6(3). Available at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2318/6/3 [accessed March 1, 2014] Patton, M. (1990) Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods, 2nd ed. Newbury Park: Sage