Research Critique of Quantitative Research on Nursing Practice

Research Critique of Quantitative Research on nursing PracticeNurses argon expected to entrust the crush standards of c atomic number 18 realizable for their patients and clients, and in order to do this, they atomic number 18 required to provide grounds- found perpetrate wherever possible. Part of this process of providing cargon based on the best available evidence involves appraising primary seek (Elliott, 2001, p 555). If nurses atomic number 18 to improve their example, and apply evidence to improve their clinical and theoretical noesis and skills, they must be able to assess the timbre of the available explore which is relevant to their rule (Freshwater and Bishop, 2003k p23 Hek, 2000, p 19). According to Hek (2000 p 19-21), evidence based practice incorporates professional expertise, patient need and taste sensation, and the best available evidence. hardly in order to identify this best evidence, the nurse must warrant an evaluation and critical review of in vestigate studies, to see if the question is utile and of sufficient look to be applied to their practice (Fink, 2005).This essay evaluates a quantitative look into hold which has relevance to nursing practice, because it deals with a continuing condition and one which is prevalent in worldwide populations. The condition go forth review Tangkawanich et al (2008 p 216) Causal model of health health- cogitate character of life in people living with HIV/AIDS in the northern region of Thailand. This article is published in a m-honoured journal, The Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences which addresses restorations of interest and concern to nurses internationally, and as such, offers circumstantial insight into HIV/AIDS and nursing within a globose context. in that respect are a number of appraisal tools available to health care practitioners to assist them in analysing and critiquing primary research articles. Such models are genuine over time in intercourse to standa rdised imaginationualisations of what constitutes quality and validity in research and in its reporting. For the purposes of this essay, the primary tool used is that proposed by Cormack (2000), but the author will make reference to otherwise critiquing guides and information, including the common CASP tool (PHRU, 2009, online)Discussion1. TitleThe title is concise (Cormack, 2000) and describes the center on of the research itself. era it all the way indicates what the purpose of the guinea pig was (Cormack, 2000), it could be clearer and more apocalyptic of the nature of the study. While the nature of the research in setting bring out to examine the causal affinitys between age, antriretroviral sermon, social tolerate, emblem gravel, self-care strategies and health related quality of life (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 216) in the chosen stress and population, is ostensible in the airlift, thither is little indication of these particular variables in the title, altho ugh the description of the causal model (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 216) does indicate the nature of the research. The use of the book of account causal (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 216) likewise suggests that this is a quantitative research article. It does non clearly indicate the research approach used (Cormack, 2000). To the less(prenominal) research-aware reader, it would be difficult to divine this information from the title alone, and it could be argued that it would be punter to include in this title a clearer indication of the nature of the study. This would so help the reader to identify if this is the type of research study that would be applicable to their own practice or learning.2. AuthorsThe authors qualifications are provided, and they all are registered nurses, all of which afford postgraduate degrees, and two of which pee-pee doctorates. They all forge within nursing education within a University context. This would suggest that they guide the research skil ls and expertise to carry out such a study. However, there is no indication in the author list whether or non either of them have the statistical expertise for the study.3. AbstractTangkawanich et al, (2008 p 216) provide an abstract, which is identified by Cormack (2000) as an primary(prenominal) introduction to the article. The study efficaciously adds the research, by identifying the variables being tested. The authors do not, withal, present the hypothesis in the abstract (Cormack, 2000). The abstract contains a summary of the study sample, and besides identifies the research tools that have been used. They include the results and a summary of cultures from these key outings. As such, the abstract does represent the article itself (PHRU, 2009, online), and for the reader, it does make it easy to identify whether or not the article is relevant to their interest. In particular, it does indicate clearly that it is a quantitative paper which uses identifiable data collect ion tools.4. Introduction and Literature ReviewAlthough Cormack (2000) separates these two into distinct subheadings, within this article, the introduction and books review are contiguous. The author has mention that this is often the case in the reporting of such studies, but this whitethorn simply be a convention of the publication itself, and not the preference of the authors of the study. The authors use the introduction to contextualise the problem in relation to published research, stating the immensity of health-related quality of life (HRQL) for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), because of the stir of the disease on these individuals daily lives (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 216). They discuss changes and advances in treatment options for this condition, and relate this to HRQL, and past discuss the disease itself, and how these impact upon HRQL (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 216). They summarise nigh research well-nigh this topic, and also look at self-care strategies, omen management and treatment (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 216). There is whatsoever exploration of HRQL and its relationship to nursing and to existing literature on this topic, which aids understanding of the concept prior to reading the rest of the article. They highlight some important topics in relation to the way of the article, including treatment, social support, and other issues (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 216).Although the introduction/literature review contextualises and introduces this study, this author believes that a more detailed critical abstract of the literature would be warranted here. It is not enough to cite previous research as a means of establishing the credentials of the study, as it were. A wider mountain range of research could have been included Gerrish and Lacey, 2006, 38 Fontana, 2004, p 93), and this research could have been evaluated to identify its quality. It is left to the reader to pursue this matter and determine the quality of the research upon which they base the premise and justification for this study. This could be considered a point of accumulation in the reporting of this research.5. The HypothesisThe authors do not bow a hypothesis (Cormack, 2000), as such, but instead present a research question. The purpose of this study was to examine the causal relationships between age, antiretroviral treatment, social support, symptom experience, self-care strategies, and the HRQL in Thai PLWHA (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 217). The nature of this statement would suggest that it is not an experimental study, but that it is within a quantitative research paradigm.6. useable definitionsCormack (2000) suggests that people appraising research question whether operational definitions are clearly presented. In this study, operational definitions are explained within the introduction but in language that would make it inaccessible to the less experienced or less acquaintanceable reader.7. MethodologyThe regularityology sect ion does not clearly state or discuss the survival of a quantitative approach (Cormack, 2000). The focus of the section on Methods is rather on the instruments that are being used. The quality of this study seems to rest in the choice of a quantitative approach, and the choice of data collection instruments. Quantitative research approaches offer a rectify standards of evidence, with generally greater ability for replication and greater rigour (Kitson et al, 2000 p 149 Duffy, 2005, p 233). As far as research for health care practice is concerned, quantitative studies hold better status than those based with a qualitative paradigm (Hek, 2000 p 19 Newman et al, 1998 p 231 Pepler et al, 2006, p 23). There is however no real discussion of the underpinning principles of quantitative research (Parahoo, 2006).It is good that the research instruments are explained in such detail, because it helps overcome one of the limitations of quantitative research, that of not asking the right questi ons to elicit answers that relate to person al experience (Johnson and Onwuegbuzie, 2004 p 14).8. SubjectsThere is truly limited detail given up of sample pickaxe, save stating that eight hospitals were randomly selected use a lottery method without replacement and that the 422 participants were randomly sampled (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 217). This could constitute a limitation of this research, as it is not possible to identify if there was both sampling bias, how participants were recruited, who recruited them, and any ethical issues in relation to participant recruitment (Hek, 2000, p 20 PHRU, 2009, online, Bowling, 2002). This author would argue that this is a weakness of the study, as these are authoritative elements of quality measurement in primary research within healthcare (Austin, 2001 p 1 Cooper, 2006, p 439 Nuremberg Code, 1949, online).9. Sample selectionSample selection is not discussed in any detail, which could be a weakness of the study, as mentioned above ( Cormack, 2000). Sample size is stated, but it is not stated whether this was statistically determined, which could also be considered a weakness, as achieving a statistically fleshy sample size is important within quantitative research (Daggett et al, 2005, p 255 Donovan, 2002).10. Data CollectionData collection procedures are not adequately described in this study (Cormack, 2000). This would be problematic for replication and for rigour. There is no indication who administered the questionnaires, whether or not they were self-report in the participants own time and convenience, or whether a researcher was present at the time of completion. This could be considered a weakness of this studys reporting. The issue of researcher bias is important in the completion of data collection tools, and while questionnaires may be considered a way of avoiding this, if they are remotely administered, it is not always possible to date they are full, or honest, or completed by the intended can (G illham, 2000, p 48). Having the researcher present, however, could introduce bias or influence of some kind, particularly in defenceless people (Bowling, 2001). As these are vulnerable adults attending clinics for their chronic condition, not discussion how the data was collected from them is a serious failing and may also constitute an ethical issue.However, a military posture of this study could be considered to be the use of multiple data collection instruments, and the detail with which they are described, and their provenance accounted for. They have used the fond Support Questionniare, the Symptom Experience Questionnaire, the Self-Care Strategies Questionnaire, and the Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 217). These are described in detail, and where they are based on antecedently developed research or derived directly from previous studies, this is also described. As these are established research data collection tools, this would sugg est they have been previously validated, which adds to the quality of the research (Yu and Cooper, 1983 p 36 Oppenheim, 1992 McDowell and Newell, 1996 McColl et al, 2001 p 1). The demographics of the sample are addressed to some extent, and the use of multiple tools also helps to address potence confounding variables or factors (PHRU, 2009, online).11. Ethical ConsiderationsIt is clearly stated within the study that ethical approval was derived from an appropriate body, and that informed consent was achieved, both of which correspond good ethical consideration here (Cormack, 2000). However, there is no story of what information was given to the participants, how informed consent was achieved, or if there was any issue with dialogue or accessibility for people with different communication needs. It does not specifically address issues of anonymity and confidentiality (Cormack, 2000), but instead seems to focus on safety (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 218).12. ResultsThe results of th is study are presented in tables, diagrams, and in great detail within the text of the paper. The gravestone results and demographic issues are presented, but data presentation is summarised in a results section and and so in more detail in the discussion. The findings are not very accessible, but p values are clearly stated, which is important in a study of this kind. PHRU (2009, online), within the CASP tool, poses the question of do you believe the results?. This is an important question. The results seem plausible, and relate to established statistical analysis procedures (see below). But because of the privation of detail about the sample, and the selection method, it is not possible to eradicate the doubts about these findings, in relation to potential bias. But in the context of the authors wider association and understanding about people living with HIV/AIDS, the results seem believable. However, the issue of bias cannot be overlooked. More transparency in reporting of k ey elements of this study would have made it easier to determine whether these results constitute good evidence for practice (Rosswurm and Larrabee, 1999 p 317 Pepler et al, 2006, p 23).12. Data analysisThe authors carried out the statistical analyses using SPSS, which is an established statistical programme, and LISREL, which is not a programme this author is familiar with. They describe generating descriptive statistics for each of the variables under consideration, but do not present these in any detail (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 218). They then describe the use of multivariate analysis for specific model development, and using other tests, some of which are familiar to the author, some of which are not. While the multivariate analysis and X2 tests are acceptable tests of inference or relationships between variables (Duff, 2005 p 234), anyone who does not have the specialist knowledge of the other tests would find it hard to determine their appropriateness here. The level of spe cialist statistical knowledge required to understand this would be significant. More transparency could have been achieved by including an explanation of these tests.13. DiscussionThe discussion appears quite balanced (Cormack, 2000), and is very detailed, which is good, given the complexity of this study, involving as it does multiple data collection instruments. The study relates the findings sanction to a wide range of other research studies, which is a strength of this part of the report, showing congruence with many other findings in relation to quality of life, age, socioeconomic status, social support, antiretroviral treatment, symptoms, and self-care (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 219). Limitations of the study are also acknowledged (Cormack, 2000). However, the implications for practice are presented in a separate section.14. ConclusionsThe conclusion supports the results obtained (Cormack, 2000), although it is not a very detailed summation of the complexity of the findings. However, this is referred to in the Implications and Recommendations section. (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 217).15. RecommendationsThe authors of this study suggest that social support would have the strongest take on HRQL(Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 220). They recommend a wide range of strategies to support this, and also look at all the other factors, making tributes for improving care for this patient population. These are all consistent with the study. However, the only recommendation for future research is that it should be longitudinal rather than cross-sectional (Tangkawanich et al, 2008 p 217).ConclusionIt is apparent from this study that social and other factors have a serious impact upon the lived experience and quality of life of the target population. It is also apparent that social factors may outweigh medical factors, other than in the provision of antiretroviral therapies for these patients. It would appear, therefore, that understanding these factors and the relati onships between them could improve nursing and healthcare practice for people living with HIV/AIDS. However, this author would also conclude that because of some methodological and reporting weaknesses in this study, it would be better to find other research confirming these findings before using it as evidence for practice.