Assess 2017 sem2 - essay PDF

Preview

Summary

essay...

Description

Running head: CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES

WK7Assgn Larry Robertson 6052 Dr. Crystal Dodson October 15, 2017

1

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES Table of Contents Compare and Contrast Information.....................................................................................3 Advantages and Disadvantages of the Research Approach.................................................8 Qualitative Research is not Real Science..........................................................................10 Conclusion.........................................................................................................................12 References..........................................................................................................................14

2

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES

3

WK7AssgnRobertsonL There are two dominant scholarly approaches to answering questions in the human and social sciences, quantitative and qualitative research. While different in approach, both types of research aim to provide answers regarding the relationship between the variables in question. Quantitative research uses the strict scientific investigation to respond to these questions using formal, objective, and unbiased methods (Smith, 2017). This allows the investigator to collect numerical data and use statistical analysis to draw a linear cause and effect correlation between two or more variables of study, which are considered to be accurate, valid, and reliable; independent of the researcher’s philosophical viewpoint (Smith, 2017). Qualitative research, on the other hand, uses the subjective interpretations from the participants and researcher to gain insight into the human experience and give it meaning. It places value on the uniqueness of the subject’s responses which leads to the development of continuously evolving theories that show a nonlinear relationship between two or more variables in the natural setting (Smith, 2017; Grove, Burns & Gray, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast two critiqued papers, one that used the qualitative research method, the other that used the quantitative research method, then explaining the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods, finally responding to the claim that qualitative research in not real science. Compare and Contrast Information The first study that was critiqued was a qualitative study. It used a grounded theory approach, which involves attempting to describe and understand social psychological and structural processes in social settings (Polit & Beck, 2017). Grounded theory researchers try to understand actions by focusing on the main problem “missed care” by studying the behaviors of the individuals (Polit & Beck, 2017). The purpose of the study was to determine nursing care that

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES

4

is regularly missed on medical-surgical units, and the reasons why it was missed (Kalisch, 2006). Two questions were asked; what nursing care is regularly missed on medical-surgical units in acute care hospitals, and what are the reasons nursing staff had for not completing these particular aspects of care? The reasons these questions need to be answered is that research has shown a link between staffing levels and mortality/failure to rescue, infection rates, pressure ulcers, patient falls, length of stay, adverse events, complications after surgery, and patient satisfaction (Kalisch, 2006). What has not been established in research though is the specific aspects of missed nursing care potentially leading to the association between staffing levels and the negative outcomes (Kalisch, 2006). It is not clear, besides staffing levels, what other missed nursing duties lead to poor patient outcomes (Kalisch, 2006). In both, the purpose and the questions asked by the researcher, the exploration of the meaning of the particular issue is sought. The question is exploratory in nature, not predictive. Data collection consisted of focus group interviews for the qualitative study. It was semistructured in nature and covered topics rather than specific questions. Subjects were interviewed once, and the session was recorded. Subjects were divided into job classifications for interviews which was a means of trying to get the subjects to open-up more without fear of repercussions. In a qualitative design, data is in the form of words, which usually come from interviews, documents, observations, and audio-visual materials (Polit & Beck, 2017). Narrative information can come from conservations, detailed notes, or narrative records (Polit & Beck, 2017). The researcher was the instrument obtaining the data. Data analysis in qualitative research data collection and data analysis often occur at the same time seeking themes (Polit & Beck, 2017). For this study the researcher analyzed the interview transcripts using NVIVO by QRS international which is a qualitative analysis software

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES

5

(Kalisch, 2006). The data was analyzed a second time using the grounded theory approach (Kalisch, 2006). Both analyses produced the same theme development. The themes came from the research itself rather than from the researcher. Key findings of the qualitative study discovered that ALL participants in the focus group stated they did not or were not able to provide all of the nursing care that patients needed. Most expressed regret, guilt, and frustration because they could not complete all of the nursing care for patients. The researcher concluded that there were nine themes that were extracted from the focus group of which highlighted the “missed nursing care,” and seven themes to why nursing care was missed. The key findings were interpretive of the researcher's data analysis. The findings contained a lot of quotes from the participants that gave credibility to the interpretation of the data. “Data management in qualitative research is reductionist in nature.” (Polit & Beck, 2017, p. 535) The qualitative researcher takes great amounts of data and breaks it down into smaller, manageable segments (Polit & Beck, 2017). The second critiqued study was a quantitative study. This study was a secondary analysis that was guided by the Missed Nursing Care Model of Kaischer et al. In a secondary analysis, the use of existing data from a previous study is used to test a new hypothesis or answer questions that were not initially envisioned (Polit & Beck, 2017). The new questions that were asked by the researchers were; “what elements of nursing care are frequently missed or always on oncology units, does missed nursing care vary significantly between oncology units and other nononcology, medical-surgical units, and is unit staffing significantly associated with missed nursing care on oncology units?” (Friese, Kalisch, & Lee, 203, p. E53) The questions to this study involved examining the relationship between independent variables (nursing unit

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES

6

specialization) and dependent variables (missed work). The questions seek a relationship between variables. Data collection for this quantitative study was in the form of a survey. In quantitative studies, researchers collect data from study participants in numeric form (Polit & Beck, 2017). Data collection is also obtained from an instrument, which in this study was from the surveys. Data analysis in quantitative research is accomplished through the use of statistical analyses (Polit & Beck, 2017). This quantitative study quantified the degree to which the 24 identified items of nursing care as measured by the MISSCARE Survey were reported as missed rarely, occasionally, frequently, or always (Friese et al., 203). The total score of the survey was taken and determined to be the average amount of missed care (Friese et al., 203). The total score was then compared to oncology units and nonooncology units by the Student t-test (Friese et al., 203). The oncology units sample was then analyzed using the linear regression to estimate the correlates of increased missed nursing care based on the total missed nursing care score (Friese et al., 203). The quantitative key findings found that oncology nurses missed less work than their counterpart med-surg nurses, but still had missed work (Friese et al., 203). The researcher also reported that unit staffing and missed nursing care had a significant relationship (Every 1 patient increase yielded a 2.1% increase in the missed nursing score) (Friese et al., 203). The findings of this study were shown to be “statistically significant,” by being statistically significant the researcher claims that the hypothesis of the study was supported. The results of statistical testing indicate whether an observed relationship or group difference exists (Polit & Beck, 2017). Advantages and Disadvantages of the Research Approach

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES Qualitative and quantitative research are used in studies throughout nursing. Each type of research is useful in its own way depending on the purpose of the researcher and what is being sought. In the studies that were looked at; the qualitative study was looking at what relationships existed between what nursing care that was missed and why, whereas the other study wanted to know if there was a difference between the two group and missed care. What was the missed care and what caused it to be missed? An advantage of qualitative research is if the researcher is unsure of what will be studied, this type of research gives the researcher the freedom of the design not being so strict and letting the study unfold on its own which will produce the relationships that exist among the variables (Jones, 2017). In the qualitative study, the researcher was unsure of what care if any was regularly missed and what the reasons were for missing the nursing care. The second advantage of qualitative research is the data from this type of study produces more detailed and robust data in the form of written descriptions or written responses by the participants (Jones, 2017), as in the case of the qualitative study that was critiqued. The context and social aspects were examined and how it affected the participants in the study. Disadvantages of qualitative research include the researcher's involvement in the study because they are so involved in the study there could be a subjective view from the researcher. This interpretation can be biased based on the views of the researcher (Jones, 2017). The researcher is the qualitative study questioned the participants while recording their responses; there was no observation of the participants though. A second disadvantage of qualitative research is it can be very time to consume lasting months or even years (Jones, 2017). This qualitative study only lasted a few months but no mention of the time it took to interpret the results were discussed in the study.

7

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES Advantages of quantitative studies are that they are standardized, as in the quantitative study that was critiqued the researcher can apply the findings to other oncology units and medsurge units. Large amounts of data can also be summarized. Over 400 participants were sampled in the quantitative study compared to 107 in the qualitative study. Quantitative methods are reliable and valid because they employ prescribed procedures ("Quantitative methods," n.d.). Biasness is also eliminated because they involve many studies and few variables which help prevent researchers from using participants that they know ("Quantitative methods," n.d.). Causality is determined within a study framework because the correlation of the independent and dependent variable is studied ("Quantitative methods," n.d.). The researchers can control the environment so that extraneous variables are not introduced into the study ("Quantitative methods," n.d.). Disadvantages according to the University of Southern California states that the use of standardized questions in quantitative research may cause structural bias. ("Quantitative methods," n.d.). Human perception is lost because the research methods are numerical ("Quantitative methods," n.d.). The instruments used to collect the data can be biased because it can be subjective and misleading ("Quantitative methods," n.d.). Qualitative Research is not Real Science The use of qualitative study design in nursing research and whether it subscribes to the same principles of rigor, objectiveness and study control as quantitative studies, which could impact the validity and reliability of the findings. Cypress (2017) says replacing the terms reliability and validity with the word trustworthiness, is a better way to refer to the quality, authenticity, and truthfulness of qualitative research; addressing the methods for correctly carrying out studies in which the readers can have confidence in the findings. Qualitative

8

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES

9

research, while different in design and objective, can provide trust-worthy results using a methodical approach for collecting and interpreting subjective, non-numerical data with the same rigor and adherence to standards as quantitative research. By providing depth and understanding to the complexity of the relationship between the variables, qualitative research does possess the controls needed to generate meaningful findings which contribute to the knowledge base of nurses. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines rigor as having strict precision and the characteristic of being inflexible (Rigor, n.d.). Grove, Burns, & Gray (2013) state, “The rigor of qualitative studies is appraised differently from the rigor of quantitative studies because of the differences in the underlying philosophical perspectives” (p. 58). Quantitative researchers subscribe to the philosophy of a singular truth and measure rigor by objectively collecting data under tightly controlled methods for analysis, using large samples representative of the population, whose results could be replicated by another researcher with similar settings and samples (Grove et al., 2013). The investigator’s feelings, philosophical or personal views are independent of the study and not reflected in the study design, sampling, analysis, or interpretation of the results (Grove et al., 2013). However, qualitative researchers, while more flexible, cling to rigorous standards of logical thinking, self-awareness, and receptiveness, and adhere to thorough data collection methods and study design. According to Grove et al. (2013), “Rigorous qualitative researchers, however, are characterized by openness and demonstrate methodological congruence, scrupulous adherence to a philosophical perspective, thoroughness in collecting data, consideration of all the data in the analysis process, and self-understanding” (p. 58). Grove et al. (2013) goes on to say study control can be achieved when the researchers are astutely aware of their biases and, by

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES

10

revealing these viewpoints rather than omitting them and adhering to consistent study design methods, they can provide study control and “prevent these biases from interfering with the voices of the participants being heard” (p. 59). The author will develop evolving theories about the nonlinear relationship of the variables, which are impacted by the demographic and personal experiences of the investigator and participants, allowing the reader to develop their conclusions (Grove et al., 2013; Smith, 2017). Conclusion In conclusion, qualitative and quantitative research takes different approaches to providing answers of interest in the studies of human and social science, particularly in the field of nursing. Qualitative research the goal is not to establish cause and effect but rather to provide depth and understanding about relationships of variables from the perspective of the individuals involved while quantitative research is to establish cause and effect. Although qualitative investigators use subjective data to determine the relationship, the study designs and systematic processes for collecting and analyzing the data are no less rigorous or controlled than quantitative research studies and without question, provide useful findings which expand the knowledge base of nursing and improve the quality of care delivery to patients.

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES

11

References Cypress, B. S. (2017, July/August). Rigor or reliability and validity in qualitative research: Perspectives, strategies, reconceptualization, and recommendations. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 36(4), 253-263. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/DCC.0000000000000253 Friese, C. R., Kalisch, B. J., & Lee, K. H. (203). Patterns and correlates of missed nursing care in inpatient oncology units. Cancer Nursing , 36(6), E51-E57. Retrieved from http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/sp-3.26.1a/ovidweb.cgi? WebLinkFrameset=1&S=HHEHFPGMCNDDOBCLNCGKJDOBHEDGAA00&returnUrl=ovid web.cgi%3f%26Titles%3dS.sh.22%257c1%257c10%26FORMAT%3dtitle%26FIELDS %3dTITLES%26S%3dHHEHFPGMCNDDOBCLNCGKJDOBHEDGAA00&directlink=http %3a%2f%2fovidsp.tx.ovid.com%2fovftpdfs%2fFPDDNCOBJDCLCN00%2ffs047%2fovft %2flive%2fgv024%2f00002820%2f00002820-20131100000017.pdf&filename=Patterns+and+Correlates+of+Missed+Nursing+Care+in+Inpatient+Oncolo gy+Units.&navigation_links=NavLinks.S.sh.22.1&PDFIdLinkField=%2ffs047%2fovft%2flive %2fgv024%2f00002820%2f00002820-20131100000017&link_from=S.sh.22%7c1&pdf_key=B&pdf_index=S.sh.22&D=ovft Jones, C. (2017). Advantages & disadvantages of qualitative & quantitative research. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8091178_advantages-disadvantages-qualitativequantitative-research.html Grove, S. K., Burns, N., & Gray, J. R. (2013). The practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (7th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES Kalisch, B. (2006). Missed nursing care a qualitative study. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 21(4), 306-313. Retrieved from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer? vid=1&sid=d86690c9-494e-4608-a787-80576ef20df6%40sessionmgr102 Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer. Quantitative methods. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://libguides.usc.edu/content.php? pid=83009&sid=615867 Rigor. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Retrieved July 31, 2017, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rigor Smith, T. (2017). Qualitative & Quantitative Research. Qualitative & Quantitative Research -Research Starters Education, 1-9 What are some advantages and disadvantages of quantitative methods? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.reference.com/math/advantages-disadvantages-quantitative-methods15899de8bc898ded#

12

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STUDIES

13

Critique Template for a Qualitative Study

NURS 5052/NURS 6052 Week 6 Assignment: Application: Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies (due by Day 7 of Week 7) Date: 10/15/17 Your name Larry Robertson Article reference (in APA style): Kalisch, B. (2006). Missed nursing care a qualitative study. J Nurs Care Qual, 21(4), 306-313 URL: http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer? vid=1&sid=d86690c9-494e-4608-a787-80576ef20df6%40sessionmgr102

What is a critique? Simply stated, a critique is a critical analysis undertaken for some purpose. Nurses critique research for three main reasons: to improve their practice, to broaden their understanding, and to provide a base for the conduct of a study. When the purpose is to improve practice, nurses must give special consideration to questions such as thes...