A critical critique of qualitative research article

Document Type:Essay

Subject Area:Nursing

Document 1

Qualitative research is basically an array of several approaches that have similarities as well as differences (Parahoo, 2006). In qualitative research, the truth is not regarded to be objective but rather subjective to the reality that is experienced differently among individuals and therefore the purpose of qualitative research is not for generalization but understanding individual experiences (Vishnevsky and Beanlands, 2004). Abstract The abstract given for this article is clear and precise. The authors begin the article with an abstract which gives a brief summary of the main concepts and features entailed in the article such as the background, methodology, results and conclusion sections. It also introduces the reader to the purpose of the research, this is the positive aspect of this article as the reader is introduced to the focus of the article.

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Additionally, the authors use statistics to emphasize and elaborate on the reasons why the phenomenon of interest should be studied and its significance. The authors state that patient falls account to 40% of the patients’ incidences that are reported on a frequent basis. The problem that the authors investigate is identified and initiated early in the research which can be considered as a strength for the study. Furthermore, the authors went ahead to explain the implications that the problem may have on the patients. The problem implications are stated as it may lead to “patient falls, low confidence in ambulation and mobility and increased healthcare cost”. Also, in the introduction section of the article, the authors stated that there were gaps in the literature concerning the concept of fall risks.

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The authors stated that there is minimal research on the older perceptions’ about their fall risks, the interventions received to prevent fall risks during hospitalization and discharge instructions to prevent falls at home. While this is appropriate, there is no critical analysis of the quality of the research cited. Burns & Grove (2001) noted that conceptual frameworks that emerge from the study should be further supported by an examination of the literature. The authors of this paper do not show enough exploration of the theoretical frameworks and certainly, there is no attempt by the authors to focus on values here. The authors have made no attempt to describe, explore or evaluate any theoretical framework, ideological underpinnings, conceptual underpinnings or any qualitative theories related to their work.

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The field of qualitative methodologies consists of several complex and vast methodological frameworks and theoretical models (Nicholls 2009). Furthermore, there are several ways in which qualitative research principles can be applied to research articles. But since the authors did not demonstrate the use of theories to frame their studies, this paper could be argued to be lacking a methodological explanation and transparency whose implications would be constraints in the reproduction and replication of this study (Dale 2005). Methodology: research design The authors of the article clearly state that the study is explorative and utilizes a prospective design. This aids in making the article more accessible to readers who are not familiar with the concepts and research terms. The sample size has been stated by the authors however the details are not given on how the researchers arrived at the sample size stated.

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Qualitative samples are often small (Fossey et al 2002). The sample size of 18 was used in the study which satisfies the statement by Fossey. The details of the inclusion criteria are provided in the article. Data Collection The authors have adequately addressed the setting in which the data was collected. The authors state that the informants’ list was given by the nurse specialist and after validation, they were visited in their hospital. The data collection methods included interviews that were conducted in the hospital. The authors have specified the individuals who conducted the interviews. In a well-written data collection section, the authors state that the research team included a trained research assistant. This was done with three members of the research team with adequate expertise in data analysis initially performed initial coding.

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Thematic analysis is appropriate for qualitative research since it uses coding for identification of recurrent ideas and feelings (Mays, Popay & Pope 2006). Themes were then collected, compared, discussed and then agreed upon. The three investigators then individually organized the minor themes into major themes which are then compared and discussed upon until a consensus was reached. However, an argument could be conceived that more detail could have been included here for even a more enhanced clarity, and there could have been some explanation for the choice of the analysis approach demonstrating the provenance of the incumbent analytical process, usefulness, and steps taken to promote rigor. The study can thus be positively anticipated not to be biased and an indication of enhanced trustworthiness of the study.

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The study’s consistency has been strengthened by the narration of direct quotes and literature support for emerging themes which shows that replication of the study in different surroundings can still produce emerging themes. Findings and Discussion The results are presented within the text under 8 subheadings. The authors provide demographic data and go ahead to explore each theme used as subheadings giving detailed information and discussing each theme using direct quotes from the participants. There is a good level of detailed explanation of each theme using direct quotes which demonstrates the link of study findings to the research purpose which was to describe older adults’ perceptions on the fall risks and intervention strategies during and after hospitalization. The conclusion provides a summary of the discussion and findings section providing what the exploratory study had revealed, this is very useful in nursing practice (Polit & Beck, 2008).

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The authors state that “the study revealed that informants received fall prevention interventions during hospitalization and at discharge”. The authors link well the conclusion section to the findings section by noting that the study findings suggested that the health professionals needed to fully engage and provide clarity to the patients and their families regarding fall risks and fall preventions. The researchers also identify the need to conduct further research. The authors, however, draw conclusions from their own study and not external work, therefore, indicating that the strength of the article. The authors also present the implications for the research section. The authors note that the study should be replicated as a multi-site study (Shuman et al, 2016). The authors state that in the future, research should be conducted to further the understanding of how healthcare providers can engage patients and their families in preventing fall incidences.

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The authors further present several implications of the current study to the nursing practice. First, the authors note that the nursing profession ought to not only impart information to the patients but also they must engage them in conversations regarding the risks that the patients have in falling, the risk factors for falling. The only concern that can be a drawback for the article is the failure by the authors to justify the choice of the methods consistently used in the paper. Since the article has given its limitations, it allows replication of this study with potentially better outcomes. This is because the limitations can be modified. References Bowling, A.  Research methods in health: investigating health and health services. Grove. The Practice of Nursing Research: Conduct, Critique, and Utilization.

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