Brink and Wood (1994), and Burnes and Groves (1997), similarly describe the steps for quantitative nursing research process and methods. The authors include not only the basic steps to conduct nursing studies, but also translating the studies into articles for publication. According to Burnes & Groves (1997), and Hamric and Spross (1992), the quantitative research method is used to describe or gain more information, test relationships, examine cause and effect relationships, and uses numeric data to “answer” problems. The following is a basic outline of what is included in nursing research study, and what you should critique a study for: 1. Purpose
a. Usually found in introduction or problem statement.
b. Might be stated as a main research question or hypothesis for the study. c. Main focus may not be clearly labeled requiring reader to synthesize the purpose from this section. 2. Sample
a. Look for representativeness of sample.
1. Representativeness-Subjects are randomly selected from the target population. 2. Target population-Population from which the sample is chosen and study findings are generalized to. Example: All women ages 65 to 90 with a diagnosis of acute MI. 3. Sample size-The sample size should be as large as possible. Sampling error decreases as sample size increases (general rule).
The Essay on The Effects On Population Size And Growth In Australia
The Effects on Population Size and Growth in Australia Abstract The present prospective observational study is aimed to assess the effects of the major factors like births, deaths, and overseas and interstate migration on population size and growth in Australia. The study is based on the data on population change in Australia for the years 1996-1997 and 2005-2006 from the Australian Bureau of ...
b. Random Vs. non-random sample
1. Convenience, strictly voluntary sampling selection (usually non-random) may have bias in representativeness. 2. Bias in sampling selection means those chosen to participate may differ from those not chosen. A randomized sample reduces bias in sampling selection. NOTE: Many nursing primary references are based on non-random convenience samples! Bias may be reduced through certain data analysis techniques, and addressed in design limittions. 3. Methods
a. Data collection – Procedure should be clearly defined (based upon problem and sample).
1. Description of data collection time frames, where data collected, participant’s permission procedure, and confidentiality/anonymity assurance. 2. How questionnaires, scales and/or interviews were utilized in the study. NOTE: Method of data collection can also have bias. Use of interview technique to gather data has the least bias because the investigator has less influence on the participant’s answers. b. Study Designs
1. Permits the examination of the study’s research variables. Variables are qualities, or characteristics of persons, things, or situations under study. 2. Descriptive-Gain more information about characteristics of a group. Example: pilot or exploratory. 3. Correlational-Examines relationships between variables in a group. 4. Quasi-experimental/ Experimental-Examines causality, explains relationships, uses control and experimental groups. NOTE: Experimental designs are the most scientific!
c. Measurements/Instruments
1. Description of the data collection instruments, scales, questionnaires. Example: # questions, scoring range, etc. 2. Inclusion of reliability and validity of instruments.
a. Reliability-Measurement of how consistently similar results are obtained every time the scale/instrument is used. b. Validity-Measurement of how accurately the instrument reflects some of the variables in the study (characteristics under study).
3. Reliability and validity are important because the study’s results should never be influenced by instrument/scale error. 4. Data Analysis:
The Essay on How To Organise And Evaluate Data That Has Been Researched
... and other defined variables and generalize results from a larger sample population. Quantitative research uses measurable data to formulate ... and prepare researched data so results will be accurate and free from bias To analyse and prepare researched data so ... data collection methods. Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys, face-to-face interviews, longitudinal studies, ...
a. Summarizes and describes the data in a logical, understandable format from research variables capable of being quantified (converted to numbers).
1. Descriptive statistics-Clearly and understandably describes the sample mostly using frequency distribution, mean, median, mode, range, % and others. 2. Inferential statistics-Tests the research questions or hypothesis using T-Tests, ANOVA, multiple regressions, etc. When the research plan hypothesizes relationships between variables, it is necessary to clarify expected variable relationships using independent and dependent variables. a. Dependent variable-Response, behavior, or outcome the researcher wants to explain. b. Independent variable-The treatment or experimental variable manipulated by the researcher to create an effect on the dependent variable. NOTE: One easy way of differentiating between these variables is to remember that independent means standing alone, and dependent means relying on something. Don’t let statistics scare you! If you are a novice at article critique, work on being able to find the sample adequately represented in an included table, chart or graph. Take small steps! 5. Findings/Nursing Implications/ Conclusions:
a. The findings and conclusions should be relevant, useable, and generated from the study. b. Suspect bias if questionable generalizability, sample defect, or weak design. NOTE: Don’t expect perfection! Every report might offer something useful, ideas you can use, improve, or develop! “POLISHING” THE CRITIQUE
Remember that all research is subject to a critique. But until you, the reader have critiqued the report, you have no way of knowing if the study is based on good, systematic research principles. Follow the above outline next time you read a nursing research article. Jot down the outline headings (purpose, sample, methods, data analysis, and nursing implications).
And find the content from the article you chose to read. For the first couple of studies, critique the article backwards and forwards. This is time well spent because you will have an opinion on the value of the nursing study by the end of the report. Now let’s see how objective that opinion is! Brink and Wood (1994) include a simple assessment to assist you in determining the adequacy of the nursing research you have read. The more adequate the study, the more you can learn from the research conducted! After you have thoroughly read your chosen article, apply “test the study” (Brink & Wood, 1994: “Test the Study” involves giving the article a study rating: A. Defective study-Lack clarity significance.
The Research paper on Legal Issues Case Study For Nursing
Legal Issues Case Study for Nursing Case 2 Nursing Situation: Cindy Black (fictitious name), a four-year-old child with wheezing, was brought into the emergency room by her mother for treatment at XYZ (fictitious name) hospital at 9: 12 p. m. on Friday, May 13. Initial triage assessment revealed that Cindy was suffering from a sore throat, wheezing bilaterally throughout all lung fields, seal-like ...
B. Substandard study-Lacks completeness.
C. Adequate Study-Covers basic research objectives.
Follow these simple steps:
1. Get out paper and pencil.
2. List each of the major portions-problems/purpose, sample, methods,
analysis, findings and conclusions. 3. Across the top of the paper list categories: defective, substandard and adequate. 4. Check off which heading each section of the article falls. 5. Add up checks in defective column and multiply x1.
6. Add up checks in substandard column and multiply x2.
7. Add up checks in adequate column and multiply x3.
8. Total scores:
> 12 points-Adequate study.
8-11 points-Substandard study.
Implications:
1. An adequate statement of purpose clearly describes what the study is about. 2. An adequate sample is clearly related to the population being examined and has representative ness. 3. An adequate report on methods will tell you what, why and how the study was done in sufficient detail. 4. An adequate analysis is comprehensible, responsive to the data, and congruent with all presented material. 5. An adequate conclusion has a sense of finality and closure and is derived from the problem and reflects the findings (Brink & Wood, 1994).
CHECK YOUR SCORE AGAINST THE FEELING YOU HAD AFTER YOU THOROUGHLY READ THE ARTICLE-DO THEY AGREE, OR IS THE SCORE TOTALLY INCONSISTENT WITH YOUR FEELINGS? Always use your objective scoring until after practice, your feelings and the scores agree consistently! You can critique nursing research articles!. Happy reading!
References
Burns, N. & Grove, S. (1997).
The practice of nursing research: (Critique, and utilization. (3rd ed) Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co. Brink, P. & Wood, M. (1994).
The Research paper on Quantitative Nursing Research Report Analysis
Family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitation Study problem What problem was the study conducted to resolve? A research problem identifies an area of concern when a gap exists in the knowledge needed for nursing practice (Burns & Grove, 2003, p 55). Family presence (FP) during invasive procedures (IPs) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is considered a right, obligation, ...
Basic steps in planning nursing research from question to proposal (4th ed).
Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Hamric, A. & Spross, J (1992).
The clinical nurse specialist in theory andpractice. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co. Watson, J. (1085).
Nursing: The philosophy and science of caring. Colorado Associated University Press. By Anne Vitale, MSN, APRN, BC
Director of Nursing Research At Community Medical Center, an Affiliate of the
Saint Barbabas Health Care System Copyright New Jersey State Nurse’s Association Dec 2003
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved
