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Assignment: Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

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Assignment: Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies. Assignment: Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies. Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Name:

University:

Course:

Tutor:

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Journal 1: Qualitative research critique

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A.

(2011). ‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved on January 9th 2016 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

  1. Research Problem and Purpose

The journal sought to assess the perception that nurses had towards utilization of evidence-based practice (EBP) as well as potential barriers towards achieving this goal. Since EBP is crucial towards enabling nurses to keep up with trends in the healthcare profession, the findings would be useful in promoting EBP in healthcare institutions (Majid et. al., 2011).

  1. Hypotheses and Research Questions

The main research questions were ‘What is the level of awareness of evidence based practice among nurses?’, ‘What are the barriers towards awareness of evidence-based practice?’ and ‘What sources of information can be used by nurses to boost evidence-based practice?’ The authors did not provide hypothesis statements.

  1. Literature Review

The research applied secondary information sources when reviewing literature on the research topic.  Peer-reviewed sources were used, and these have high integrity since they are based on empirical data.  The literature review section provided a solid background to the research topic and it was based on current and accurate sources.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The article relied upon theories and models used in the nursing profession, which discuss evidence-based practice.  They base their knowledge on case studies and theories in healthcare, developed by professionals in nursing.

  1. Population

The research focused on interviewing nurses within two public hospitals in Singapore. Although the targeted sample size was 2,100 nurses, only 1,486 nurses participated in the survey (Majid et. al., 2011).  The researchers used convenience sampling where nursing managers supplied questionnaires to nurses willing to participate in the survey.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The researchers sought ethical approval from the National Healthcare Group. Nursing managers, lecturers, registered nurses and nurse researchers assessed the draft questionnaire for validity.  Participants were require to sign informed consent forms.  It was also pilot tested on 20 nurses and appropriate corrections done.

  1. Research Design

The qualitative research technique was used since researchers aimed at analyzing perceptions on nurses towards EBP, and these cannot be assed using quantitative research (Polit & Beck, 2017).  It was based on previous studies on the topic, and questionnaires used took into account previous questions used in research on evidence-based practice.

  1. Instruments and Strategies for Measurement

The Cronbach alpha was used to analyze internal consistency and content validity (Majid et. al., 2011).  Its coefficient values revealed that the questionnaire results were reliable.

  1. Data Collection

The researchers collected data through use of survey questionnaires. These instruments enable researchers to collect large amounts of data simultaneously. However, participants may give socially-desirable responses and develop inaccurate results.

  1. Data Analysis

The researchers used SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) in analyzing data.

  1. Interpretation of Results

The research revealed that 64% of nurses held positive views on evidence –based practice.  A major barrier towards embracing EBP was heavy workloads that limited their ability to pursue new evidence.  Other barriers included lack of ability to understand statistics terms, lack of time, and lack of knowledge on research jargon.

  1. Discussion of Findings

The findings showed nurses in Asia strive to adopt evidence-based practice. There are however many barriers that hinder their ability to do so (Majid et. al., 2011).  It is therefore necessary that steps are taken to alleviate these barriers to promote EBP.

  1. Limitations

One limitation is that only two hospitals were surveyed and it is therefore difficult to generalize findings made.  Another was the use of questionnaires, whose effectiveness may be compromised by personal bias, and affect the accuracy of research.

  1. Implications

The findings have shown that nurses should be trained to enable them adopt evidence-based practice. These findings may be used in healthcare institutions to promote information and literacy skills of nurses.

  1. Recommendations

The research recommends effective education and training to enable nurses to overcome barriers to understanding EBP. Hospitals should also create environment where peer-to-peer information sharing is encouraged to promote EBP.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The findings have helped me understand the importance of evidence-based practice and barriers associated with embracing EBP.  This knowledge will enable me to apply EBP in answering my PICOT questions on following sepsis protocols.

 

Quantitative research critique

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

  1. Research Issue and Purpose

The researchers’ goal was to find out the mortality and incidence rates of sepsis in a Brazilian tertiary hospital (Kauss et. al., 2010). Through understanding these statistics, effective strategies can be developed to address the problem of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Researcher Pre-understandings

The researchers acknowledge that sepsis is a serious problem facing society and they aim at understanding its incidence and mortality rate so that corrective action may be taken to mitigate effects of the disease.

  1. Literature Review

The authors rely on empirical studies undertaken by researchers to develop a background on the incidence of sepsis in Latin America (Kauss et. al., 2010).  They use academic books and journals when reviewing literature on the research topic.  These sources are written by scholars and they have a high level of integrity and accuracy.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The study applies clinical evidence to develop a framework on incidences of sepsis.  They specifically utilize findings from previous researches to provided a basis for their current research.

  1. Participants

There were 1,179 sepsis patients who participated in the study.  The participants were  adults who were admitted at Londrina University Hospital.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The study does not explain the steps taken to protect human participants in the study.

  1. Research Design

The researchers used longitudinal study design in evaluating participants. The study was conducted in Londrina University Hospital between 2004 and 2005.

  1. Data Collection/Generation Methods

The researchers collected data through analysis of patients’ hospital records.  Data was also  gathered through the hospital’s electronic database.

  1. Credibility

The researchers gathered credible data since they relied on hospital records which are highly accurate.  Data was also gathered by trained investigators and this increased its credibility (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Data Analysis

Data was analyzed through statistical techniques and tools such as bivariate analysis and use of the Epitable program created by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

  1. Findings

Results showed that 22.8%  of patients had severe sepsis while 2.5% had sepsis.  Additionally, 21.6% of patients had septic shock.  Mortality rates were 72.7%, 49.9% and 32.8% for patients with septic shock, sepsis and severe sepsis patients respectively (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Discussion of Findings

The research revealed that a high number of patients had sepsis.  Additionally, many patients with sepsis suffered mortality.   The findings also showed that prevalence rates for sepsis were increasing over time.

  1. Limitations

Although the researchers do not state their limitations, the fact that research was conducted in only one hospital means that findings cannot be generalized to represent statistics for all Brazilian hospitals.  Additionally, the use of a relatively small sample size also affects the ability of the researchers to generalize findings.

  1. Implications

The findings can be used by stakeholders in the Brazilian health sector to address the issue of sepsis (Kauss et. al., 2010). The research can provide a basis for further research to explain the causes and potential solution to the problems of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Recommendations

The researchers do not provide any recommendations.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The article has enabled me to understand that sepsis is a serious problem and steps should be taken to address the disease. This has reinforced confidence on my PICOT question on sepsis protocols, and it has motivated me to continue with my research. The article can also provide a foundation for my future research on sepsis prevention and treatment.

Brief reflection

Through evaluating both articles, I have learned how to develop accurate and valid research journals from both a qualitative and quantitative point of view.  Quantitative research approach is effective in measuring quantifiable data; however, it does not effectively describe causes of phenomenon observed (Allwood, 2011). Qualitative data is effective in explaining relationships between variables (Hancock et. al., 2007). Nevertheless, it lacks empirical evidence that can explain the relationships observed, as it relies on academic theory. The opinion that qualitative research is not a real science is flawed since it is has been effectively used in the scientific fields such as medicine and psychology to explain relationships between variables that cannot be quantified (Allwood, 2011). It has also been used in mixed-methods research to explain the causes of phenomenon observed through quantitative research. For instance, in the journal on incidences of sepsis in Brazilian hospitals, qualitative research can be used to explain the causes of high incidence rates in Brazil as compared to other societies across the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


References

Allwood, M., C. (2011). The distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methods is problematic. Quality and Quantity Journal, 46, 1417-1429.

Hancock, B., Ockleford, E. & Windridge, K. (2007). An Introduction to Qualitative

            Research. The NIHR RDS EM. Retrieved from https://www.rds-yh.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/5_Introduction-to-qualitative-research-2009.pdf

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A. (2011).

‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for

            nursing practice. (10th ed). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Name:

University:

Course:

Tutor:

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Journal 1: Qualitative research critique

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A.

(2011). ‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved on January 9th 2016 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

  1. Research Problem and Purpose

The journal sought to assess the perception that nurses had towards utilization of evidence-based practice (EBP) as well as potential barriers towards achieving this goal. Since EBP is crucial towards enabling nurses to keep up with trends in the healthcare profession, the findings would be useful in promoting EBP in healthcare institutions (Majid et. al., 2011).

  1. Hypotheses and Research Questions

The main research questions were ‘What is the level of awareness of evidence based practice among nurses?’, ‘What are the barriers towards awareness of evidence-based practice?’ and ‘What sources of information can be used by nurses to boost evidence-based practice?’ The authors did not provide hypothesis statements.

  1. Literature Review

The research applied secondary information sources when reviewing literature on the research topic.  Peer-reviewed sources were used, and these have high integrity since they are based on empirical data.  The literature review section provided a solid background to the research topic and it was based on current and accurate sources.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The article relied upon theories and models used in the nursing profession, which discuss evidence-based practice.  They base their knowledge on case studies and theories in healthcare, developed by professionals in nursing.

  1. Population

The research focused on interviewing nurses within two public hospitals in Singapore. Although the targeted sample size was 2,100 nurses, only 1,486 nurses participated in the survey (Majid et. al., 2011).  The researchers used convenience sampling where nursing managers supplied questionnaires to nurses willing to participate in the survey.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The researchers sought ethical approval from the National Healthcare Group. Nursing managers, lecturers, registered nurses and nurse researchers assessed the draft questionnaire for validity.  Participants were require to sign informed consent forms.  It was also pilot tested on 20 nurses and appropriate corrections done.

  1. Research Design

The qualitative research technique was used since researchers aimed at analyzing perceptions on nurses towards EBP, and these cannot be assed using quantitative research (Polit & Beck, 2017).  It was based on previous studies on the topic, and questionnaires used took into account previous questions used in research on evidence-based practice.

  1. Instruments and Strategies for Measurement

The Cronbach alpha was used to analyze internal consistency and content validity (Majid et. al., 2011).  Its coefficient values revealed that the questionnaire results were reliable.

  1. Data Collection

The researchers collected data through use of survey questionnaires. These instruments enable researchers to collect large amounts of data simultaneously. However, participants may give socially-desirable responses and develop inaccurate results.

  1. Data Analysis

The researchers used SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) in analyzing data.

  1. Interpretation of Results

The research revealed that 64% of nurses held positive views on evidence –based practice.  A major barrier towards embracing EBP was heavy workloads that limited their ability to pursue new evidence.  Other barriers included lack of ability to understand statistics terms, lack of time, and lack of knowledge on research jargon.

  1. Discussion of Findings

The findings showed nurses in Asia strive to adopt evidence-based practice. There are however many barriers that hinder their ability to do so (Majid et. al., 2011).  It is therefore necessary that steps are taken to alleviate these barriers to promote EBP.

  1. Limitations

One limitation is that only two hospitals were surveyed and it is therefore difficult to generalize findings made.  Another was the use of questionnaires, whose effectiveness may be compromised by personal bias, and affect the accuracy of research.

  1. Implications

The findings have shown that nurses should be trained to enable them adopt evidence-based practice. These findings may be used in healthcare institutions to promote information and literacy skills of nurses.

  1. Recommendations

The research recommends effective education and training to enable nurses to overcome barriers to understanding EBP. Hospitals should also create environment where peer-to-peer information sharing is encouraged to promote EBP.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The findings have helped me understand the importance of evidence-based practice and barriers associated with embracing EBP.  This knowledge will enable me to apply EBP in answering my PICOT questions on following sepsis protocols.

 

Quantitative research critique

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

  1. Research Issue and Purpose

The researchers’ goal was to find out the mortality and incidence rates of sepsis in a Brazilian tertiary hospital (Kauss et. al., 2010). Through understanding these statistics, effective strategies can be developed to address the problem of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Researcher Pre-understandings

The researchers acknowledge that sepsis is a serious problem facing society and they aim at understanding its incidence and mortality rate so that corrective action may be taken to mitigate effects of the disease.

  1. Literature Review

The authors rely on empirical studies undertaken by researchers to develop a background on the incidence of sepsis in Latin America (Kauss et. al., 2010).  They use academic books and journals when reviewing literature on the research topic.  These sources are written by scholars and they have a high level of integrity and accuracy.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The study applies clinical evidence to develop a framework on incidences of sepsis.  They specifically utilize findings from previous researches to provided a basis for their current research.

  1. Participants

There were 1,179 sepsis patients who participated in the study.  The participants were  adults who were admitted at Londrina University Hospital.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The study does not explain the steps taken to protect human participants in the study.

  1. Research Design

The researchers used longitudinal study design in evaluating participants. The study was conducted in Londrina University Hospital between 2004 and 2005.

  1. Data Collection/Generation Methods

The researchers collected data through analysis of patients’ hospital records.  Data was also  gathered through the hospital’s electronic database.

  1. Credibility

The researchers gathered credible data since they relied on hospital records which are highly accurate.  Data was also gathered by trained investigators and this increased its credibility (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Data Analysis

Data was analyzed through statistical techniques and tools such as bivariate analysis and use of the Epitable program created by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

  1. Findings

Results showed that 22.8%  of patients had severe sepsis while 2.5% had sepsis.  Additionally, 21.6% of patients had septic shock.  Mortality rates were 72.7%, 49.9% and 32.8% for patients with septic shock, sepsis and severe sepsis patients respectively (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Discussion of Findings

The research revealed that a high number of patients had sepsis.  Additionally, many patients with sepsis suffered mortality.   The findings also showed that prevalence rates for sepsis were increasing over time.

  1. Limitations

Although the researchers do not state their limitations, the fact that research was conducted in only one hospital means that findings cannot be generalized to represent statistics for all Brazilian hospitals.  Additionally, the use of a relatively small sample size also affects the ability of the researchers to generalize findings.

  1. Implications

The findings can be used by stakeholders in the Brazilian health sector to address the issue of sepsis (Kauss et. al., 2010). The research can provide a basis for further research to explain the causes and potential solution to the problems of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Recommendations

The researchers do not provide any recommendations.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The article has enabled me to understand that sepsis is a serious problem and steps should be taken to address the disease. This has reinforced confidence on my PICOT question on sepsis protocols, and it has motivated me to continue with my research. The article can also provide a foundation for my future research on sepsis prevention and treatment.

Brief reflection

Through evaluating both articles, I have learned how to develop accurate and valid research journals from both a qualitative and quantitative point of view.  Quantitative research approach is effective in measuring quantifiable data; however, it does not effectively describe causes of phenomenon observed (Allwood, 2011). Qualitative data is effective in explaining relationships between variables (Hancock et. al., 2007). Nevertheless, it lacks empirical evidence that can explain the relationships observed, as it relies on academic theory. The opinion that qualitative research is not a real science is flawed since it is has been effectively used in the scientific fields such as medicine and psychology to explain relationships between variables that cannot be quantified (Allwood, 2011). It has also been used in mixed-methods research to explain the causes of phenomenon observed through quantitative research. For instance, in the journal on incidences of sepsis in Brazilian hospitals, qualitative research can be used to explain the causes of high incidence rates in Brazil as compared to other societies across the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


References

Allwood, M., C. (2011). The distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methods is problematic. Quality and Quantity Journal, 46, 1417-1429.

Hancock, B., Ockleford, E. & Windridge, K. (2007). An Introduction to Qualitative

            Research. The NIHR RDS EM. Retrieved from https://www.rds-yh.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/5_Introduction-to-qualitative-research-2009.pdf

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A. (2011).

‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for

            nursing practice. (10th ed). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Name:

University:

Course:

Tutor:

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Journal 1: Qualitative research critique

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A.

(2011). ‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved on January 9th 2016 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

  1. Research Problem and Purpose

The journal sought to assess the perception that nurses had towards utilization of evidence-based practice (EBP) as well as potential barriers towards achieving this goal. Since EBP is crucial towards enabling nurses to keep up with trends in the healthcare profession, the findings would be useful in promoting EBP in healthcare institutions (Majid et. al., 2011).

  1. Hypotheses and Research Questions

The main research questions were ‘What is the level of awareness of evidence based practice among nurses?’, ‘What are the barriers towards awareness of evidence-based practice?’ and ‘What sources of information can be used by nurses to boost evidence-based practice?’ The authors did not provide hypothesis statements.

  1. Literature Review

The research applied secondary information sources when reviewing literature on the research topic.  Peer-reviewed sources were used, and these have high integrity since they are based on empirical data.  The literature review section provided a solid background to the research topic and it was based on current and accurate sources.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The article relied upon theories and models used in the nursing profession, which discuss evidence-based practice.  They base their knowledge on case studies and theories in healthcare, developed by professionals in nursing.

  1. Population

The research focused on interviewing nurses within two public hospitals in Singapore. Although the targeted sample size was 2,100 nurses, only 1,486 nurses participated in the survey (Majid et. al., 2011).  The researchers used convenience sampling where nursing managers supplied questionnaires to nurses willing to participate in the survey.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The researchers sought ethical approval from the National Healthcare Group. Nursing managers, lecturers, registered nurses and nurse researchers assessed the draft questionnaire for validity.  Participants were require to sign informed consent forms.  It was also pilot tested on 20 nurses and appropriate corrections done.

  1. Research Design

The qualitative research technique was used since researchers aimed at analyzing perceptions on nurses towards EBP, and these cannot be assed using quantitative research (Polit & Beck, 2017).  It was based on previous studies on the topic, and questionnaires used took into account previous questions used in research on evidence-based practice.

  1. Instruments and Strategies for Measurement

The Cronbach alpha was used to analyze internal consistency and content validity (Majid et. al., 2011).  Its coefficient values revealed that the questionnaire results were reliable.

  1. Data Collection

The researchers collected data through use of survey questionnaires. These instruments enable researchers to collect large amounts of data simultaneously. However, participants may give socially-desirable responses and develop inaccurate results.

  1. Data Analysis

The researchers used SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) in analyzing data.

  1. Interpretation of Results

The research revealed that 64% of nurses held positive views on evidence –based practice.  A major barrier towards embracing EBP was heavy workloads that limited their ability to pursue new evidence.  Other barriers included lack of ability to understand statistics terms, lack of time, and lack of knowledge on research jargon.

  1. Discussion of Findings

The findings showed nurses in Asia strive to adopt evidence-based practice. There are however many barriers that hinder their ability to do so (Majid et. al., 2011).  It is therefore necessary that steps are taken to alleviate these barriers to promote EBP.

  1. Limitations

One limitation is that only two hospitals were surveyed and it is therefore difficult to generalize findings made.  Another was the use of questionnaires, whose effectiveness may be compromised by personal bias, and affect the accuracy of research.

  1. Implications

The findings have shown that nurses should be trained to enable them adopt evidence-based practice. These findings may be used in healthcare institutions to promote information and literacy skills of nurses.

  1. Recommendations

The research recommends effective education and training to enable nurses to overcome barriers to understanding EBP. Hospitals should also create environment where peer-to-peer information sharing is encouraged to promote EBP.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The findings have helped me understand the importance of evidence-based practice and barriers associated with embracing EBP.  This knowledge will enable me to apply EBP in answering my PICOT questions on following sepsis protocols.

 

Quantitative research critique

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

  1. Research Issue and Purpose

The researchers’ goal was to find out the mortality and incidence rates of sepsis in a Brazilian tertiary hospital (Kauss et. al., 2010). Through understanding these statistics, effective strategies can be developed to address the problem of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Researcher Pre-understandings

The researchers acknowledge that sepsis is a serious problem facing society and they aim at understanding its incidence and mortality rate so that corrective action may be taken to mitigate effects of the disease.

  1. Literature Review

The authors rely on empirical studies undertaken by researchers to develop a background on the incidence of sepsis in Latin America (Kauss et. al., 2010).  They use academic books and journals when reviewing literature on the research topic.  These sources are written by scholars and they have a high level of integrity and accuracy.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The study applies clinical evidence to develop a framework on incidences of sepsis.  They specifically utilize findings from previous researches to provided a basis for their current research.

  1. Participants

There were 1,179 sepsis patients who participated in the study.  The participants were  adults who were admitted at Londrina University Hospital.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The study does not explain the steps taken to protect human participants in the study.

  1. Research Design

The researchers used longitudinal study design in evaluating participants. The study was conducted in Londrina University Hospital between 2004 and 2005.

  1. Data Collection/Generation Methods

The researchers collected data through analysis of patients’ hospital records.  Data was also  gathered through the hospital’s electronic database.

  1. Credibility

The researchers gathered credible data since they relied on hospital records which are highly accurate.  Data was also gathered by trained investigators and this increased its credibility (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Data Analysis

Data was analyzed through statistical techniques and tools such as bivariate analysis and use of the Epitable program created by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

  1. Findings

Results showed that 22.8%  of patients had severe sepsis while 2.5% had sepsis.  Additionally, 21.6% of patients had septic shock.  Mortality rates were 72.7%, 49.9% and 32.8% for patients with septic shock, sepsis and severe sepsis patients respectively (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Discussion of Findings

The research revealed that a high number of patients had sepsis.  Additionally, many patients with sepsis suffered mortality.   The findings also showed that prevalence rates for sepsis were increasing over time.

  1. Limitations

Although the researchers do not state their limitations, the fact that research was conducted in only one hospital means that findings cannot be generalized to represent statistics for all Brazilian hospitals.  Additionally, the use of a relatively small sample size also affects the ability of the researchers to generalize findings.

  1. Implications

The findings can be used by stakeholders in the Brazilian health sector to address the issue of sepsis (Kauss et. al., 2010). The research can provide a basis for further research to explain the causes and potential solution to the problems of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Recommendations

The researchers do not provide any recommendations.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The article has enabled me to understand that sepsis is a serious problem and steps should be taken to address the disease. This has reinforced confidence on my PICOT question on sepsis protocols, and it has motivated me to continue with my research. The article can also provide a foundation for my future research on sepsis prevention and treatment.

Brief reflection

Through evaluating both articles, I have learned how to develop accurate and valid research journals from both a qualitative and quantitative point of view.  Quantitative research approach is effective in measuring quantifiable data; however, it does not effectively describe causes of phenomenon observed (Allwood, 2011). Qualitative data is effective in explaining relationships between variables (Hancock et. al., 2007). Nevertheless, it lacks empirical evidence that can explain the relationships observed, as it relies on academic theory. The opinion that qualitative research is not a real science is flawed since it is has been effectively used in the scientific fields such as medicine and psychology to explain relationships between variables that cannot be quantified (Allwood, 2011). It has also been used in mixed-methods research to explain the causes of phenomenon observed through quantitative research. For instance, in the journal on incidences of sepsis in Brazilian hospitals, qualitative research can be used to explain the causes of high incidence rates in Brazil as compared to other societies across the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


References

Allwood, M., C. (2011). The distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methods is problematic. Quality and Quantity Journal, 46, 1417-1429.

Hancock, B., Ockleford, E. & Windridge, K. (2007). An Introduction to Qualitative

            Research. The NIHR RDS EM. Retrieved from https://www.rds-yh.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/5_Introduction-to-qualitative-research-2009.pdf

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A. (2011).

‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for

            nursing practice. (10th ed). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Name:

University:

Course:

Tutor:

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Journal 1: Qualitative research critique

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A.

(2011). ‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved on January 9th 2016 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

  1. Research Problem and Purpose

The journal sought to assess the perception that nurses had towards utilization of evidence-based practice (EBP) as well as potential barriers towards achieving this goal. Since EBP is crucial towards enabling nurses to keep up with trends in the healthcare profession, the findings would be useful in promoting EBP in healthcare institutions (Majid et. al., 2011).

  1. Hypotheses and Research Questions

The main research questions were ‘What is the level of awareness of evidence based practice among nurses?’, ‘What are the barriers towards awareness of evidence-based practice?’ and ‘What sources of information can be used by nurses to boost evidence-based practice?’ The authors did not provide hypothesis statements.

  1. Literature Review

The research applied secondary information sources when reviewing literature on the research topic.  Peer-reviewed sources were used, and these have high integrity since they are based on empirical data.  The literature review section provided a solid background to the research topic and it was based on current and accurate sources.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The article relied upon theories and models used in the nursing profession, which discuss evidence-based practice.  They base their knowledge on case studies and theories in healthcare, developed by professionals in nursing.

  1. Population

The research focused on interviewing nurses within two public hospitals in Singapore. Although the targeted sample size was 2,100 nurses, only 1,486 nurses participated in the survey (Majid et. al., 2011).  The researchers used convenience sampling where nursing managers supplied questionnaires to nurses willing to participate in the survey.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The researchers sought ethical approval from the National Healthcare Group. Nursing managers, lecturers, registered nurses and nurse researchers assessed the draft questionnaire for validity.  Participants were require to sign informed consent forms.  It was also pilot tested on 20 nurses and appropriate corrections done.

  1. Research Design

The qualitative research technique was used since researchers aimed at analyzing perceptions on nurses towards EBP, and these cannot be assed using quantitative research (Polit & Beck, 2017).  It was based on previous studies on the topic, and questionnaires used took into account previous questions used in research on evidence-based practice.

  1. Instruments and Strategies for Measurement

The Cronbach alpha was used to analyze internal consistency and content validity (Majid et. al., 2011).  Its coefficient values revealed that the questionnaire results were reliable.

  1. Data Collection

The researchers collected data through use of survey questionnaires. These instruments enable researchers to collect large amounts of data simultaneously. However, participants may give socially-desirable responses and develop inaccurate results.

  1. Data Analysis

The researchers used SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) in analyzing data.

  1. Interpretation of Results

The research revealed that 64% of nurses held positive views on evidence –based practice.  A major barrier towards embracing EBP was heavy workloads that limited their ability to pursue new evidence.  Other barriers included lack of ability to understand statistics terms, lack of time, and lack of knowledge on research jargon.

  1. Discussion of Findings

The findings showed nurses in Asia strive to adopt evidence-based practice. There are however many barriers that hinder their ability to do so (Majid et. al., 2011).  It is therefore necessary that steps are taken to alleviate these barriers to promote EBP.

  1. Limitations

One limitation is that only two hospitals were surveyed and it is therefore difficult to generalize findings made.  Another was the use of questionnaires, whose effectiveness may be compromised by personal bias, and affect the accuracy of research.

  1. Implications

The findings have shown that nurses should be trained to enable them adopt evidence-based practice. These findings may be used in healthcare institutions to promote information and literacy skills of nurses.

  1. Recommendations

The research recommends effective education and training to enable nurses to overcome barriers to understanding EBP. Hospitals should also create environment where peer-to-peer information sharing is encouraged to promote EBP.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The findings have helped me understand the importance of evidence-based practice and barriers associated with embracing EBP.  This knowledge will enable me to apply EBP in answering my PICOT questions on following sepsis protocols.

 

Quantitative research critique

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

  1. Research Issue and Purpose

The researchers’ goal was to find out the mortality and incidence rates of sepsis in a Brazilian tertiary hospital (Kauss et. al., 2010). Through understanding these statistics, effective strategies can be developed to address the problem of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Researcher Pre-understandings

The researchers acknowledge that sepsis is a serious problem facing society and they aim at understanding its incidence and mortality rate so that corrective action may be taken to mitigate effects of the disease.

  1. Literature Review

The authors rely on empirical studies undertaken by researchers to develop a background on the incidence of sepsis in Latin America (Kauss et. al., 2010).  They use academic books and journals when reviewing literature on the research topic.  These sources are written by scholars and they have a high level of integrity and accuracy.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The study applies clinical evidence to develop a framework on incidences of sepsis.  They specifically utilize findings from previous researches to provided a basis for their current research.

  1. Participants

There were 1,179 sepsis patients who participated in the study.  The participants were  adults who were admitted at Londrina University Hospital.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The study does not explain the steps taken to protect human participants in the study.

  1. Research Design

The researchers used longitudinal study design in evaluating participants. The study was conducted in Londrina University Hospital between 2004 and 2005.

  1. Data Collection/Generation Methods

The researchers collected data through analysis of patients’ hospital records.  Data was also  gathered through the hospital’s electronic database.

  1. Credibility

The researchers gathered credible data since they relied on hospital records which are highly accurate.  Data was also gathered by trained investigators and this increased its credibility (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Data Analysis

Data was analyzed through statistical techniques and tools such as bivariate analysis and use of the Epitable program created by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

  1. Findings

Results showed that 22.8%  of patients had severe sepsis while 2.5% had sepsis.  Additionally, 21.6% of patients had septic shock.  Mortality rates were 72.7%, 49.9% and 32.8% for patients with septic shock, sepsis and severe sepsis patients respectively (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Discussion of Findings

The research revealed that a high number of patients had sepsis.  Additionally, many patients with sepsis suffered mortality.   The findings also showed that prevalence rates for sepsis were increasing over time.

  1. Limitations

Although the researchers do not state their limitations, the fact that research was conducted in only one hospital means that findings cannot be generalized to represent statistics for all Brazilian hospitals.  Additionally, the use of a relatively small sample size also affects the ability of the researchers to generalize findings.

  1. Implications

The findings can be used by stakeholders in the Brazilian health sector to address the issue of sepsis (Kauss et. al., 2010). The research can provide a basis for further research to explain the causes and potential solution to the problems of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Recommendations

The researchers do not provide any recommendations.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The article has enabled me to understand that sepsis is a serious problem and steps should be taken to address the disease. This has reinforced confidence on my PICOT question on sepsis protocols, and it has motivated me to continue with my research. The article can also provide a foundation for my future research on sepsis prevention and treatment.

Brief reflection

Through evaluating both articles, I have learned how to develop accurate and valid research journals from both a qualitative and quantitative point of view.  Quantitative research approach is effective in measuring quantifiable data; however, it does not effectively describe causes of phenomenon observed (Allwood, 2011). Qualitative data is effective in explaining relationships between variables (Hancock et. al., 2007). Nevertheless, it lacks empirical evidence that can explain the relationships observed, as it relies on academic theory. The opinion that qualitative research is not a real science is flawed since it is has been effectively used in the scientific fields such as medicine and psychology to explain relationships between variables that cannot be quantified (Allwood, 2011). It has also been used in mixed-methods research to explain the causes of phenomenon observed through quantitative research. For instance, in the journal on incidences of sepsis in Brazilian hospitals, qualitative research can be used to explain the causes of high incidence rates in Brazil as compared to other societies across the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


References

Allwood, M., C. (2011). The distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methods is problematic. Quality and Quantity Journal, 46, 1417-1429.

Hancock, B., Ockleford, E. & Windridge, K. (2007). An Introduction to Qualitative

            Research. The NIHR RDS EM. Retrieved from https://www.rds-yh.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/5_Introduction-to-qualitative-research-2009.pdf

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A. (2011).

‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for

            nursing practice. (10th ed). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Name:

University:

Course:

Tutor:

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Journal 1: Qualitative research critique

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A.

(2011). ‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved on January 9th 2016 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

  1. Research Problem and Purpose

The journal sought to assess the perception that nurses had towards utilization of evidence-based practice (EBP) as well as potential barriers towards achieving this goal. Since EBP is crucial towards enabling nurses to keep up with trends in the healthcare profession, the findings would be useful in promoting EBP in healthcare institutions (Majid et. al., 2011).

  1. Hypotheses and Research Questions

The main research questions were ‘What is the level of awareness of evidence based practice among nurses?’, ‘What are the barriers towards awareness of evidence-based practice?’ and ‘What sources of information can be used by nurses to boost evidence-based practice?’ The authors did not provide hypothesis statements.

  1. Literature Review

The research applied secondary information sources when reviewing literature on the research topic.  Peer-reviewed sources were used, and these have high integrity since they are based on empirical data.  The literature review section provided a solid background to the research topic and it was based on current and accurate sources.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The article relied upon theories and models used in the nursing profession, which discuss evidence-based practice.  They base their knowledge on case studies and theories in healthcare, developed by professionals in nursing.

  1. Population

The research focused on interviewing nurses within two public hospitals in Singapore. Although the targeted sample size was 2,100 nurses, only 1,486 nurses participated in the survey (Majid et. al., 2011).  The researchers used convenience sampling where nursing managers supplied questionnaires to nurses willing to participate in the survey.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The researchers sought ethical approval from the National Healthcare Group. Nursing managers, lecturers, registered nurses and nurse researchers assessed the draft questionnaire for validity.  Participants were require to sign informed consent forms.  It was also pilot tested on 20 nurses and appropriate corrections done.

  1. Research Design

The qualitative research technique was used since researchers aimed at analyzing perceptions on nurses towards EBP, and these cannot be assed using quantitative research (Polit & Beck, 2017).  It was based on previous studies on the topic, and questionnaires used took into account previous questions used in research on evidence-based practice.

  1. Instruments and Strategies for Measurement

The Cronbach alpha was used to analyze internal consistency and content validity (Majid et. al., 2011).  Its coefficient values revealed that the questionnaire results were reliable.

  1. Data Collection

The researchers collected data through use of survey questionnaires. These instruments enable researchers to collect large amounts of data simultaneously. However, participants may give socially-desirable responses and develop inaccurate results.

  1. Data Analysis

The researchers used SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) in analyzing data.

  1. Interpretation of Results

The research revealed that 64% of nurses held positive views on evidence –based practice.  A major barrier towards embracing EBP was heavy workloads that limited their ability to pursue new evidence.  Other barriers included lack of ability to understand statistics terms, lack of time, and lack of knowledge on research jargon.

  1. Discussion of Findings

The findings showed nurses in Asia strive to adopt evidence-based practice. There are however many barriers that hinder their ability to do so (Majid et. al., 2011).  It is therefore necessary that steps are taken to alleviate these barriers to promote EBP.

  1. Limitations

One limitation is that only two hospitals were surveyed and it is therefore difficult to generalize findings made.  Another was the use of questionnaires, whose effectiveness may be compromised by personal bias, and affect the accuracy of research.

  1. Implications

The findings have shown that nurses should be trained to enable them adopt evidence-based practice. These findings may be used in healthcare institutions to promote information and literacy skills of nurses.

  1. Recommendations

The research recommends effective education and training to enable nurses to overcome barriers to understanding EBP. Hospitals should also create environment where peer-to-peer information sharing is encouraged to promote EBP.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The findings have helped me understand the importance of evidence-based practice and barriers associated with embracing EBP.  This knowledge will enable me to apply EBP in answering my PICOT questions on following sepsis protocols.

 

Quantitative research critique

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

  1. Research Issue and Purpose

The researchers’ goal was to find out the mortality and incidence rates of sepsis in a Brazilian tertiary hospital (Kauss et. al., 2010). Through understanding these statistics, effective strategies can be developed to address the problem of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Researcher Pre-understandings

The researchers acknowledge that sepsis is a serious problem facing society and they aim at understanding its incidence and mortality rate so that corrective action may be taken to mitigate effects of the disease.

  1. Literature Review

The authors rely on empirical studies undertaken by researchers to develop a background on the incidence of sepsis in Latin America (Kauss et. al., 2010).  They use academic books and journals when reviewing literature on the research topic.  These sources are written by scholars and they have a high level of integrity and accuracy.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The study applies clinical evidence to develop a framework on incidences of sepsis.  They specifically utilize findings from previous researches to provided a basis for their current research.

  1. Participants

There were 1,179 sepsis patients who participated in the study.  The participants were  adults who were admitted at Londrina University Hospital.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The study does not explain the steps taken to protect human participants in the study.

  1. Research Design

The researchers used longitudinal study design in evaluating participants. The study was conducted in Londrina University Hospital between 2004 and 2005.

  1. Data Collection/Generation Methods

The researchers collected data through analysis of patients’ hospital records.  Data was also  gathered through the hospital’s electronic database.

  1. Credibility

The researchers gathered credible data since they relied on hospital records which are highly accurate.  Data was also gathered by trained investigators and this increased its credibility (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Data Analysis

Data was analyzed through statistical techniques and tools such as bivariate analysis and use of the Epitable program created by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

  1. Findings

Results showed that 22.8%  of patients had severe sepsis while 2.5% had sepsis.  Additionally, 21.6% of patients had septic shock.  Mortality rates were 72.7%, 49.9% and 32.8% for patients with septic shock, sepsis and severe sepsis patients respectively (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Discussion of Findings

The research revealed that a high number of patients had sepsis.  Additionally, many patients with sepsis suffered mortality.   The findings also showed that prevalence rates for sepsis were increasing over time.

  1. Limitations

Although the researchers do not state their limitations, the fact that research was conducted in only one hospital means that findings cannot be generalized to represent statistics for all Brazilian hospitals.  Additionally, the use of a relatively small sample size also affects the ability of the researchers to generalize findings.

  1. Implications

The findings can be used by stakeholders in the Brazilian health sector to address the issue of sepsis (Kauss et. al., 2010). The research can provide a basis for further research to explain the causes and potential solution to the problems of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Recommendations

The researchers do not provide any recommendations.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The article has enabled me to understand that sepsis is a serious problem and steps should be taken to address the disease. This has reinforced confidence on my PICOT question on sepsis protocols, and it has motivated me to continue with my research. The article can also provide a foundation for my future research on sepsis prevention and treatment.

Brief reflection

Through evaluating both articles, I have learned how to develop accurate and valid research journals from both a qualitative and quantitative point of view.  Quantitative research approach is effective in measuring quantifiable data; however, it does not effectively describe causes of phenomenon observed (Allwood, 2011). Qualitative data is effective in explaining relationships between variables (Hancock et. al., 2007). Nevertheless, it lacks empirical evidence that can explain the relationships observed, as it relies on academic theory. The opinion that qualitative research is not a real science is flawed since it is has been effectively used in the scientific fields such as medicine and psychology to explain relationships between variables that cannot be quantified (Allwood, 2011). It has also been used in mixed-methods research to explain the causes of phenomenon observed through quantitative research. For instance, in the journal on incidences of sepsis in Brazilian hospitals, qualitative research can be used to explain the causes of high incidence rates in Brazil as compared to other societies across the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


References

Allwood, M., C. (2011). The distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methods is problematic. Quality and Quantity Journal, 46, 1417-1429.

Hancock, B., Ockleford, E. & Windridge, K. (2007). An Introduction to Qualitative

            Research. The NIHR RDS EM. Retrieved from https://www.rds-yh.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/5_Introduction-to-qualitative-research-2009.pdf

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A. (2011).

‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for

            nursing practice. (10th ed). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Name:

University:

Course:

Tutor:

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Journal 1: Qualitative research critique

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A.

(2011). ‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved on January 9th 2016 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

  1. Research Problem and Purpose

The journal sought to assess the perception that nurses had towards utilization of evidence-based practice (EBP) as well as potential barriers towards achieving this goal. Since EBP is crucial towards enabling nurses to keep up with trends in the healthcare profession, the findings would be useful in promoting EBP in healthcare institutions (Majid et. al., 2011).

  1. Hypotheses and Research Questions

The main research questions were ‘What is the level of awareness of evidence based practice among nurses?’, ‘What are the barriers towards awareness of evidence-based practice?’ and ‘What sources of information can be used by nurses to boost evidence-based practice?’ The authors did not provide hypothesis statements.

  1. Literature Review

The research applied secondary information sources when reviewing literature on the research topic.  Peer-reviewed sources were used, and these have high integrity since they are based on empirical data.  The literature review section provided a solid background to the research topic and it was based on current and accurate sources.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The article relied upon theories and models used in the nursing profession, which discuss evidence-based practice.  They base their knowledge on case studies and theories in healthcare, developed by professionals in nursing.

  1. Population

The research focused on interviewing nurses within two public hospitals in Singapore. Although the targeted sample size was 2,100 nurses, only 1,486 nurses participated in the survey (Majid et. al., 2011).  The researchers used convenience sampling where nursing managers supplied questionnaires to nurses willing to participate in the survey.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The researchers sought ethical approval from the National Healthcare Group. Nursing managers, lecturers, registered nurses and nurse researchers assessed the draft questionnaire for validity.  Participants were require to sign informed consent forms.  It was also pilot tested on 20 nurses and appropriate corrections done.

  1. Research Design

The qualitative research technique was used since researchers aimed at analyzing perceptions on nurses towards EBP, and these cannot be assed using quantitative research (Polit & Beck, 2017).  It was based on previous studies on the topic, and questionnaires used took into account previous questions used in research on evidence-based practice.

  1. Instruments and Strategies for Measurement

The Cronbach alpha was used to analyze internal consistency and content validity (Majid et. al., 2011).  Its coefficient values revealed that the questionnaire results were reliable.

  1. Data Collection

The researchers collected data through use of survey questionnaires. These instruments enable researchers to collect large amounts of data simultaneously. However, participants may give socially-desirable responses and develop inaccurate results.

  1. Data Analysis

The researchers used SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) in analyzing data.

  1. Interpretation of Results

The research revealed that 64% of nurses held positive views on evidence –based practice.  A major barrier towards embracing EBP was heavy workloads that limited their ability to pursue new evidence.  Other barriers included lack of ability to understand statistics terms, lack of time, and lack of knowledge on research jargon.

  1. Discussion of Findings

The findings showed nurses in Asia strive to adopt evidence-based practice. There are however many barriers that hinder their ability to do so (Majid et. al., 2011).  It is therefore necessary that steps are taken to alleviate these barriers to promote EBP.

  1. Limitations

One limitation is that only two hospitals were surveyed and it is therefore difficult to generalize findings made.  Another was the use of questionnaires, whose effectiveness may be compromised by personal bias, and affect the accuracy of research.

  1. Implications

The findings have shown that nurses should be trained to enable them adopt evidence-based practice. These findings may be used in healthcare institutions to promote information and literacy skills of nurses.

  1. Recommendations

The research recommends effective education and training to enable nurses to overcome barriers to understanding EBP. Hospitals should also create environment where peer-to-peer information sharing is encouraged to promote EBP.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The findings have helped me understand the importance of evidence-based practice and barriers associated with embracing EBP.  This knowledge will enable me to apply EBP in answering my PICOT questions on following sepsis protocols.

 

Quantitative research critique

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

  1. Research Issue and Purpose

The researchers’ goal was to find out the mortality and incidence rates of sepsis in a Brazilian tertiary hospital (Kauss et. al., 2010). Through understanding these statistics, effective strategies can be developed to address the problem of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Researcher Pre-understandings

The researchers acknowledge that sepsis is a serious problem facing society and they aim at understanding its incidence and mortality rate so that corrective action may be taken to mitigate effects of the disease.

  1. Literature Review

The authors rely on empirical studies undertaken by researchers to develop a background on the incidence of sepsis in Latin America (Kauss et. al., 2010).  They use academic books and journals when reviewing literature on the research topic.  These sources are written by scholars and they have a high level of integrity and accuracy.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The study applies clinical evidence to develop a framework on incidences of sepsis.  They specifically utilize findings from previous researches to provided a basis for their current research.

  1. Participants

There were 1,179 sepsis patients who participated in the study.  The participants were  adults who were admitted at Londrina University Hospital.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The study does not explain the steps taken to protect human participants in the study.

  1. Research Design

The researchers used longitudinal study design in evaluating participants. The study was conducted in Londrina University Hospital between 2004 and 2005.

  1. Data Collection/Generation Methods

The researchers collected data through analysis of patients’ hospital records.  Data was also  gathered through the hospital’s electronic database.

  1. Credibility

The researchers gathered credible data since they relied on hospital records which are highly accurate.  Data was also gathered by trained investigators and this increased its credibility (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Data Analysis

Data was analyzed through statistical techniques and tools such as bivariate analysis and use of the Epitable program created by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

  1. Findings

Results showed that 22.8%  of patients had severe sepsis while 2.5% had sepsis.  Additionally, 21.6% of patients had septic shock.  Mortality rates were 72.7%, 49.9% and 32.8% for patients with septic shock, sepsis and severe sepsis patients respectively (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Discussion of Findings

The research revealed that a high number of patients had sepsis.  Additionally, many patients with sepsis suffered mortality.   The findings also showed that prevalence rates for sepsis were increasing over time.

  1. Limitations

Although the researchers do not state their limitations, the fact that research was conducted in only one hospital means that findings cannot be generalized to represent statistics for all Brazilian hospitals.  Additionally, the use of a relatively small sample size also affects the ability of the researchers to generalize findings.

  1. Implications

The findings can be used by stakeholders in the Brazilian health sector to address the issue of sepsis (Kauss et. al., 2010). The research can provide a basis for further research to explain the causes and potential solution to the problems of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Recommendations

The researchers do not provide any recommendations.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The article has enabled me to understand that sepsis is a serious problem and steps should be taken to address the disease. This has reinforced confidence on my PICOT question on sepsis protocols, and it has motivated me to continue with my research. The article can also provide a foundation for my future research on sepsis prevention and treatment.

Brief reflection

Through evaluating both articles, I have learned how to develop accurate and valid research journals from both a qualitative and quantitative point of view.  Quantitative research approach is effective in measuring quantifiable data; however, it does not effectively describe causes of phenomenon observed (Allwood, 2011). Qualitative data is effective in explaining relationships between variables (Hancock et. al., 2007). Nevertheless, it lacks empirical evidence that can explain the relationships observed, as it relies on academic theory. The opinion that qualitative research is not a real science is flawed since it is has been effectively used in the scientific fields such as medicine and psychology to explain relationships between variables that cannot be quantified (Allwood, 2011). It has also been used in mixed-methods research to explain the causes of phenomenon observed through quantitative research. For instance, in the journal on incidences of sepsis in Brazilian hospitals, qualitative research can be used to explain the causes of high incidence rates in Brazil as compared to other societies across the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


References

Allwood, M., C. (2011). The distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methods is problematic. Quality and Quantity Journal, 46, 1417-1429.

Hancock, B., Ockleford, E. & Windridge, K. (2007). An Introduction to Qualitative

            Research. The NIHR RDS EM. Retrieved from https://www.rds-yh.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/5_Introduction-to-qualitative-research-2009.pdf

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A. (2011).

‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for

            nursing practice. (10th ed). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Name:

University:

Course:

Tutor:

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Journal 1: Qualitative research critique

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A.

(2011). ‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved on January 9th 2016 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

  1. Research Problem and Purpose

The journal sought to assess the perception that nurses had towards utilization of evidence-based practice (EBP) as well as potential barriers towards achieving this goal. Since EBP is crucial towards enabling nurses to keep up with trends in the healthcare profession, the findings would be useful in promoting EBP in healthcare institutions (Majid et. al., 2011).

  1. Hypotheses and Research Questions

The main research questions were ‘What is the level of awareness of evidence based practice among nurses?’, ‘What are the barriers towards awareness of evidence-based practice?’ and ‘What sources of information can be used by nurses to boost evidence-based practice?’ The authors did not provide hypothesis statements.

  1. Literature Review

The research applied secondary information sources when reviewing literature on the research topic.  Peer-reviewed sources were used, and these have high integrity since they are based on empirical data.  The literature review section provided a solid background to the research topic and it was based on current and accurate sources.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The article relied upon theories and models used in the nursing profession, which discuss evidence-based practice.  They base their knowledge on case studies and theories in healthcare, developed by professionals in nursing.

  1. Population

The research focused on interviewing nurses within two public hospitals in Singapore. Although the targeted sample size was 2,100 nurses, only 1,486 nurses participated in the survey (Majid et. al., 2011).  The researchers used convenience sampling where nursing managers supplied questionnaires to nurses willing to participate in the survey.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The researchers sought ethical approval from the National Healthcare Group. Nursing managers, lecturers, registered nurses and nurse researchers assessed the draft questionnaire for validity.  Participants were require to sign informed consent forms.  It was also pilot tested on 20 nurses and appropriate corrections done.

  1. Research Design

The qualitative research technique was used since researchers aimed at analyzing perceptions on nurses towards EBP, and these cannot be assed using quantitative research (Polit & Beck, 2017).  It was based on previous studies on the topic, and questionnaires used took into account previous questions used in research on evidence-based practice.

  1. Instruments and Strategies for Measurement

The Cronbach alpha was used to analyze internal consistency and content validity (Majid et. al., 2011).  Its coefficient values revealed that the questionnaire results were reliable.

  1. Data Collection

The researchers collected data through use of survey questionnaires. These instruments enable researchers to collect large amounts of data simultaneously. However, participants may give socially-desirable responses and develop inaccurate results.

  1. Data Analysis

The researchers used SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) in analyzing data.

  1. Interpretation of Results

The research revealed that 64% of nurses held positive views on evidence –based practice.  A major barrier towards embracing EBP was heavy workloads that limited their ability to pursue new evidence.  Other barriers included lack of ability to understand statistics terms, lack of time, and lack of knowledge on research jargon.

  1. Discussion of Findings

The findings showed nurses in Asia strive to adopt evidence-based practice. There are however many barriers that hinder their ability to do so (Majid et. al., 2011).  It is therefore necessary that steps are taken to alleviate these barriers to promote EBP.

  1. Limitations

One limitation is that only two hospitals were surveyed and it is therefore difficult to generalize findings made.  Another was the use of questionnaires, whose effectiveness may be compromised by personal bias, and affect the accuracy of research.

  1. Implications

The findings have shown that nurses should be trained to enable them adopt evidence-based practice. These findings may be used in healthcare institutions to promote information and literacy skills of nurses.

  1. Recommendations

The research recommends effective education and training to enable nurses to overcome barriers to understanding EBP. Hospitals should also create environment where peer-to-peer information sharing is encouraged to promote EBP.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The findings have helped me understand the importance of evidence-based practice and barriers associated with embracing EBP.  This knowledge will enable me to apply EBP in answering my PICOT questions on following sepsis protocols.

 

Quantitative research critique

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

  1. Research Issue and Purpose

The researchers’ goal was to find out the mortality and incidence rates of sepsis in a Brazilian tertiary hospital (Kauss et. al., 2010). Through understanding these statistics, effective strategies can be developed to address the problem of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Researcher Pre-understandings

The researchers acknowledge that sepsis is a serious problem facing society and they aim at understanding its incidence and mortality rate so that corrective action may be taken to mitigate effects of the disease.

  1. Literature Review

The authors rely on empirical studies undertaken by researchers to develop a background on the incidence of sepsis in Latin America (Kauss et. al., 2010).  They use academic books and journals when reviewing literature on the research topic.  These sources are written by scholars and they have a high level of integrity and accuracy.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The study applies clinical evidence to develop a framework on incidences of sepsis.  They specifically utilize findings from previous researches to provided a basis for their current research.

  1. Participants

There were 1,179 sepsis patients who participated in the study.  The participants were  adults who were admitted at Londrina University Hospital.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The study does not explain the steps taken to protect human participants in the study.

  1. Research Design

The researchers used longitudinal study design in evaluating participants. The study was conducted in Londrina University Hospital between 2004 and 2005.

  1. Data Collection/Generation Methods

The researchers collected data through analysis of patients’ hospital records.  Data was also  gathered through the hospital’s electronic database.

  1. Credibility

The researchers gathered credible data since they relied on hospital records which are highly accurate.  Data was also gathered by trained investigators and this increased its credibility (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Data Analysis

Data was analyzed through statistical techniques and tools such as bivariate analysis and use of the Epitable program created by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

  1. Findings

Results showed that 22.8%  of patients had severe sepsis while 2.5% had sepsis.  Additionally, 21.6% of patients had septic shock.  Mortality rates were 72.7%, 49.9% and 32.8% for patients with septic shock, sepsis and severe sepsis patients respectively (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Discussion of Findings

The research revealed that a high number of patients had sepsis.  Additionally, many patients with sepsis suffered mortality.   The findings also showed that prevalence rates for sepsis were increasing over time.

  1. Limitations

Although the researchers do not state their limitations, the fact that research was conducted in only one hospital means that findings cannot be generalized to represent statistics for all Brazilian hospitals.  Additionally, the use of a relatively small sample size also affects the ability of the researchers to generalize findings.

  1. Implications

The findings can be used by stakeholders in the Brazilian health sector to address the issue of sepsis (Kauss et. al., 2010). The research can provide a basis for further research to explain the causes and potential solution to the problems of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Recommendations

The researchers do not provide any recommendations.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The article has enabled me to understand that sepsis is a serious problem and steps should be taken to address the disease. This has reinforced confidence on my PICOT question on sepsis protocols, and it has motivated me to continue with my research. The article can also provide a foundation for my future research on sepsis prevention and treatment.

Brief reflection

Through evaluating both articles, I have learned how to develop accurate and valid research journals from both a qualitative and quantitative point of view.  Quantitative research approach is effective in measuring quantifiable data; however, it does not effectively describe causes of phenomenon observed (Allwood, 2011). Qualitative data is effective in explaining relationships between variables (Hancock et. al., 2007). Nevertheless, it lacks empirical evidence that can explain the relationships observed, as it relies on academic theory. The opinion that qualitative research is not a real science is flawed since it is has been effectively used in the scientific fields such as medicine and psychology to explain relationships between variables that cannot be quantified (Allwood, 2011). It has also been used in mixed-methods research to explain the causes of phenomenon observed through quantitative research. For instance, in the journal on incidences of sepsis in Brazilian hospitals, qualitative research can be used to explain the causes of high incidence rates in Brazil as compared to other societies across the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


References

Allwood, M., C. (2011). The distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methods is problematic. Quality and Quantity Journal, 46, 1417-1429.

Hancock, B., Ockleford, E. & Windridge, K. (2007). An Introduction to Qualitative

            Research. The NIHR RDS EM. Retrieved from https://www.rds-yh.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/5_Introduction-to-qualitative-research-2009.pdf

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A. (2011).

‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for

            nursing practice. (10th ed). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Name:

University:

Course:

Tutor:

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Journal 1: Qualitative research critique

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A.

(2011). ‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved on January 9th 2016 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

  1. Research Problem and Purpose

The journal sought to assess the perception that nurses had towards utilization of evidence-based practice (EBP) as well as potential barriers towards achieving this goal. Since EBP is crucial towards enabling nurses to keep up with trends in the healthcare profession, the findings would be useful in promoting EBP in healthcare institutions (Majid et. al., 2011).

  1. Hypotheses and Research Questions

The main research questions were ‘What is the level of awareness of evidence based practice among nurses?’, ‘What are the barriers towards awareness of evidence-based practice?’ and ‘What sources of information can be used by nurses to boost evidence-based practice?’ The authors did not provide hypothesis statements.

  1. Literature Review

The research applied secondary information sources when reviewing literature on the research topic.  Peer-reviewed sources were used, and these have high integrity since they are based on empirical data.  The literature review section provided a solid background to the research topic and it was based on current and accurate sources.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The article relied upon theories and models used in the nursing profession, which discuss evidence-based practice.  They base their knowledge on case studies and theories in healthcare, developed by professionals in nursing.

  1. Population

The research focused on interviewing nurses within two public hospitals in Singapore. Although the targeted sample size was 2,100 nurses, only 1,486 nurses participated in the survey (Majid et. al., 2011).  The researchers used convenience sampling where nursing managers supplied questionnaires to nurses willing to participate in the survey.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The researchers sought ethical approval from the National Healthcare Group. Nursing managers, lecturers, registered nurses and nurse researchers assessed the draft questionnaire for validity.  Participants were require to sign informed consent forms.  It was also pilot tested on 20 nurses and appropriate corrections done.

  1. Research Design

The qualitative research technique was used since researchers aimed at analyzing perceptions on nurses towards EBP, and these cannot be assed using quantitative research (Polit & Beck, 2017).  It was based on previous studies on the topic, and questionnaires used took into account previous questions used in research on evidence-based practice.

  1. Instruments and Strategies for Measurement

The Cronbach alpha was used to analyze internal consistency and content validity (Majid et. al., 2011).  Its coefficient values revealed that the questionnaire results were reliable.

  1. Data Collection

The researchers collected data through use of survey questionnaires. These instruments enable researchers to collect large amounts of data simultaneously. However, participants may give socially-desirable responses and develop inaccurate results.

  1. Data Analysis

The researchers used SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) in analyzing data.

  1. Interpretation of Results

The research revealed that 64% of nurses held positive views on evidence –based practice.  A major barrier towards embracing EBP was heavy workloads that limited their ability to pursue new evidence.  Other barriers included lack of ability to understand statistics terms, lack of time, and lack of knowledge on research jargon.

  1. Discussion of Findings

The findings showed nurses in Asia strive to adopt evidence-based practice. There are however many barriers that hinder their ability to do so (Majid et. al., 2011).  It is therefore necessary that steps are taken to alleviate these barriers to promote EBP.

  1. Limitations

One limitation is that only two hospitals were surveyed and it is therefore difficult to generalize findings made.  Another was the use of questionnaires, whose effectiveness may be compromised by personal bias, and affect the accuracy of research.

  1. Implications

The findings have shown that nurses should be trained to enable them adopt evidence-based practice. These findings may be used in healthcare institutions to promote information and literacy skills of nurses.

  1. Recommendations

The research recommends effective education and training to enable nurses to overcome barriers to understanding EBP. Hospitals should also create environment where peer-to-peer information sharing is encouraged to promote EBP.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The findings have helped me understand the importance of evidence-based practice and barriers associated with embracing EBP.  This knowledge will enable me to apply EBP in answering my PICOT questions on following sepsis protocols.

 

Quantitative research critique

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

  1. Research Issue and Purpose

The researchers’ goal was to find out the mortality and incidence rates of sepsis in a Brazilian tertiary hospital (Kauss et. al., 2010). Through understanding these statistics, effective strategies can be developed to address the problem of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Researcher Pre-understandings

The researchers acknowledge that sepsis is a serious problem facing society and they aim at understanding its incidence and mortality rate so that corrective action may be taken to mitigate effects of the disease.

  1. Literature Review

The authors rely on empirical studies undertaken by researchers to develop a background on the incidence of sepsis in Latin America (Kauss et. al., 2010).  They use academic books and journals when reviewing literature on the research topic.  These sources are written by scholars and they have a high level of integrity and accuracy.

  1. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

The study applies clinical evidence to develop a framework on incidences of sepsis.  They specifically utilize findings from previous researches to provided a basis for their current research.

  1. Participants

There were 1,179 sepsis patients who participated in the study.  The participants were  adults who were admitted at Londrina University Hospital.

  1. Protection of Human Research Participants

The study does not explain the steps taken to protect human participants in the study.

  1. Research Design

The researchers used longitudinal study design in evaluating participants. The study was conducted in Londrina University Hospital between 2004 and 2005.

  1. Data Collection/Generation Methods

The researchers collected data through analysis of patients’ hospital records.  Data was also  gathered through the hospital’s electronic database.

  1. Credibility

The researchers gathered credible data since they relied on hospital records which are highly accurate.  Data was also gathered by trained investigators and this increased its credibility (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Data Analysis

Data was analyzed through statistical techniques and tools such as bivariate analysis and use of the Epitable program created by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

  1. Findings

Results showed that 22.8%  of patients had severe sepsis while 2.5% had sepsis.  Additionally, 21.6% of patients had septic shock.  Mortality rates were 72.7%, 49.9% and 32.8% for patients with septic shock, sepsis and severe sepsis patients respectively (Kauss et. al., 2010).

  1. Discussion of Findings

The research revealed that a high number of patients had sepsis.  Additionally, many patients with sepsis suffered mortality.   The findings also showed that prevalence rates for sepsis were increasing over time.

  1. Limitations

Although the researchers do not state their limitations, the fact that research was conducted in only one hospital means that findings cannot be generalized to represent statistics for all Brazilian hospitals.  Additionally, the use of a relatively small sample size also affects the ability of the researchers to generalize findings.

  1. Implications

The findings can be used by stakeholders in the Brazilian health sector to address the issue of sepsis (Kauss et. al., 2010). The research can provide a basis for further research to explain the causes and potential solution to the problems of sepsis in Brazil.

  1. Recommendations

The researchers do not provide any recommendations.

  1. Research Utilization in Your Practice

The article has enabled me to understand that sepsis is a serious problem and steps should be taken to address the disease. This has reinforced confidence on my PICOT question on sepsis protocols, and it has motivated me to continue with my research. The article can also provide a foundation for my future research on sepsis prevention and treatment.

Brief reflection

Through evaluating both articles, I have learned how to develop accurate and valid research journals from both a qualitative and quantitative point of view.  Quantitative research approach is effective in measuring quantifiable data; however, it does not effectively describe causes of phenomenon observed (Allwood, 2011). Qualitative data is effective in explaining relationships between variables (Hancock et. al., 2007). Nevertheless, it lacks empirical evidence that can explain the relationships observed, as it relies on academic theory. The opinion that qualitative research is not a real science is flawed since it is has been effectively used in the scientific fields such as medicine and psychology to explain relationships between variables that cannot be quantified (Allwood, 2011). It has also been used in mixed-methods research to explain the causes of phenomenon observed through quantitative research. For instance, in the journal on incidences of sepsis in Brazilian hospitals, qualitative research can be used to explain the causes of high incidence rates in Brazil as compared to other societies across the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


References

Allwood, M., C. (2011). The distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methods is problematic. Quality and Quantity Journal, 46, 1417-1429.

Hancock, B., Ockleford, E. & Windridge, K. (2007). An Introduction to Qualitative

            Research. The NIHR RDS EM. Retrieved from https://www.rds-yh.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/5_Introduction-to-qualitative-research-2009.pdf

Kauss, A. M., Grion, C., Cardoso, L., Anami, E., Nunes, L., Ferreira, G., Matsuo, T. &

Bonametti, A. (2010). ‘The epidemiology of sepsis in a Brazilian teaching hospital’, The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 14, Issue 3, May–June 2010, Pages 264–270. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413867010700544

Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A. (2011).

‘Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers’. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133901/

Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for

            nursing practice. (10th ed). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

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Assignment: Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

Assignment: Critiquing Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Studies

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