Quantitative Nursing Research Critique

Quantitative Nursing Research Critique

Michelle Byrne

University of Phoenix

Analysis of Research Reports

NUR/518

Pam Springer RN, PhD

June 23, 2012

Quantitative Nursing Research Critique

Qualitative research has become more accepted in the nursing research area. Qualitative research is more difficult to critique than quantitative research. In the following paper there will be a discussion on the research critique for the article titled Caring for Patients and Families at End of Life: The Experience of Nurses During Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment.

The problem in this study is clearly stated. The problem is "the specific research objectives were to explore the nurse's experience and to identify factors that nurses perceived to facilitate them or hinder them in caring for these patients." (Vandersponok-Wrightet, B., Fothergill-Bourbonnais, F., Braitman, S., & Gagnon, P., 2011, p. 32) The problem is easy to find. The "purpose of this study was to explore the experience of critical care nurses who care for patients during the process of withdrawal of life sustaining treatment." Vandersponok-Wright, et al, p. 32)

The research question is stated broadly enough and leaves room for more studies. It is an open-ended question. "Qualitative research questions are open-ended, non-directional, and evolve as the researcher considers and reconsiders the broad themes of their study." (Vandersponok-Wright et al, 2011, p. 35) There are also sub-questions that help "give direct implications for data analysis. (Vandersponok-Wright et alt, 2011, p. 32)

The study design is interpretive phemonology and was easy to find in this article. "The aim of interpretive phemonology analysis is to explore in detail how participants are making sense of their personal and social world," Smith, J., & Osborn, M. (2011)) The study design is consistent with qualitative research. The study is concerned with an individual's perception of events it also considers the participant's life world.

The subjects were obtained using a method that was consistent with qualitative research. The steps involved when selecting participants were: 1) making a list of the characteristics that he or she wants the participants to have, 2) forget those persons who met the sample criteria and narrow down the subjects, 3) you need to find a location "where you can personally select your sample" (Koenig, 2011, p. 1) 4) ask the participants that you have chosen if they know anyone else that may fit the study, 5) "contact people who can suggest participants who fit your profile, ( Koenig, 2011, p. 1) and 6) you need to refine the research by weeding out participants that you suspect do not fit the research.

The setting of the article is in an intensive care unit, which is appropriate for this study. Many nurses deal with removing live-sustaining equipment in the intensive care unit. These procedures are not seen on a general medical floor because these patients are on life-saving equipment only in the intensive care units. The data collection method for this study was in-depth interviews which is consistent for qualitative research. With an in-depth interview the participant is asked some questions, but they are encouraged to express their own views.

Approval was received from the institutions ethics committee. The participants gave written, informed consent before they were interviewed. The participants were assured that their names would not be released. The way the study avoided using names the study used pseudonyms to ensure the participants anonymity. This is very