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Read: Stevens, K., (2013) The impact of evidence-based practice in nursing and the next big ideas. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18,(2), Manuscript 4. doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol18No02Man04Â
Critically evaluate either Study 3 or Study 4. Evaluate the credibility of professional citation, research design, and procedures in a research article. Include a discussion on how this study contributes to evidence-based practice.Â
Study 4 – Striving for independence: a qualitative study of women living with vertebral fracture
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Solution
Critical Evaluation of Qualitative Research Study
The purpose of Hallberg, Ek, Toss, and Bachrach-Lindström’s (2010) study is to examine how the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and daily life had been affected in women with vertebral fracture several years after diagnosis. The study’s importance is based on its focus on presenting the long-term effect of disease-specific HRQOL from the perspective of patients in a seven-year follow-up study. The study’s research problem was to sufficiently explore the long-term impact of vertebral fracture on HRQOL and daily life. The study takes a qualitative approach and collects data through semi-structured interviews. The approach enables the researchers to analyze the factors that affect HRQOL and daily life. It is imperative to critically evaluate the study to determine its credibility and procedure while also understanding how it contributes to evidence-based practice.
The credibility of the research article
The credibility of a research article plays a critical part in determining that a study qualifies for practice. Among others, Houser (2018) identifies that the authors’ clinical and educational credentials contribute to the credibility of the study. The authors are nursing researchers with doctoral qualifications as well as experience in nursing practice and nursing education. The authors also declare no competing interest. Using the credibility checklist by Houser (2018, p. 53), the study has evidence of being peer-reviewed such as having an external review board, being serially numbered for the year, and being identified by volume and number. Besides, the study was published within a reasonable timeline, indicating few to limited delays in reviews. Per Houser’s (2018) credibility checklist, the study has high credibility.
Problem statement
Houser (2018, p. 154) notes that the problem statement indicates the focus of the study and identifies the gaps and disparities about general concepts. In Hallberg et al. (2010) study, the problem statement is inferred as the presence of a gap in knowledge on what it means to live with a vertebral fracture from a deeper experiential perspective. The authors adopt a deductive approach by narrowing from disease-specific HRQOL to how women cope with a vertebral fracture in a seven-year follow-up study. Despite the clarity of the concern and gap, the problem statement is not clearly articulated. However, the concern is identified within the first three statements of the abstract. The problem statement advances nursing knowledge on the link between events such as a vertebral fracture to HRQOL and daily life. Per Houser’s (2018, p 217), the problem statement lacks critical aspects to make it clear and fit appropriately, such as lack of clear articulation.
Research design
The study adopts a qualitative research design. As noted by Houser (2018, p. 217), the design serves as the guide for inferences on the validity and trustworthiness of the study’s results. The checklist points out that the study’s design should be identified and defined, followed by a rationale, variables identified and defined, linked to the nature of the research question, and a basis for the decisions made. The authors note that they applied a conventional inductive approach of content analysis because it allowed the direct collection of information from participants without conceptual frameworks or predetermined categories. Besides, on the data collection approach, interviews, the authors elaborate the benefit of attaining direct information from participants. These inclusions underline the link between the design and the nature of the research as well as the presence of a rationale for the design and its approaches. The authors also clearly define the variables, the research’s population, the data collection procedure, and analysis approach in a manner that underlines the critical decisions and why they were made while also making the research replicable. Per Houser’s (2018, p 217), the study research design is appropriately structured and covered.
Evaluates ethical issue
On ethical issues, Houser (2018, p 118) notes that it is imperative to focus on the methods for selecting the sample, obtaining informed consent, assigning subjects to treatment groups, and accessing their medical data, besides the explicit reference to IRB. The authors note that the participant underwent informed consent, and the Regional Ethical Review Board approved the research. These steps were taken to protect subjects from any potential harm. The authors also mention that anonymity, confidentiality, and privacy of participants was well protected and safeguarded. As such, the study did not show any evidence of coercion to participate, and full disclosure was maintained on the study and its processes. Given the study’s participants were women aged between 68 and 84 years, the study’s engagement on their perspective informed practice and also improved nursing knowledge on long-term effects of vertebral fracture on HRQOL and daily life. These benefits outweigh any potential risks of the study. The equitability of the sample could not be established since the study focused on women demographic.
Purpose statement
Houser (2018, p. 155) notes that the purpose statement indicates the reason for the study and proposes methods for examining the variables, and the correlations among them in the population and setting. In Hallberg et al. (2010), the purpose statement is inferred, providing a clear understanding of the variables of the study, the population, and the setting. However, the purpose statement is not easy to find and lacks integration with the design of the study. The researchers’ weak articulation of the purpose statement limits the ability of readers to interpret and implement the conclusions of the study effectively.
Literature review using the components of the evaluation
Houser (2018, p. 175) notes that in a qualitative study, the literature review may occur in multiple sections, including the results sections to support the findings. In Hallberg et al. (2010), the literature review appears in the background section and the discussion section. The study utilizes data that surpasses five years to its publishing. The section is used to identify and define the research problem and existing literature on the issue. The studies included are primary, critically examined, related to the HRQOL and daily life, and are effectively structured. However, the review lacks clarity on its correlation between the research question and previous research. It also does not include a conceptual framework as well as a conclusive summary of the section. Based on Houser’s (2018, p 175-176) literature review evaluation checklist, the study lacks essential aspects critical in the literature review.
Sampling strategy
Houser (2018, p 255) underlines the critical parts of a sampling strategy to be the sample is as unbiased as possible, achieves the best possible representation of the population, and is adequate to find statistical significance. Hallberg et al. (2010) utilize a purposeful sampling approach, where participants are selected from an existing pool of patients based on inclusion criteria. The researchers clearly define the target population and the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The procedure for selecting the sample is well defined, with the sample remaining unaffected by factors such as nonresponse, attrition, and homogeneity. However, the researchers fail to conduct a power analysis or consider potential sampling bias. Houser’s (2018, p 255) framework of evaluation indicates the need to refine and provide more information on potential bias in sampling as well as power analysis.
Measurement strategy and validity
Houser (2018, p 309) notes that an effective measurement strategy links concepts in the research question to a specific manifestation, as a measure. In the study, the measurement strategy is included in the interview section. The instruments clearly linked to the research question and defined objectively. The authors describe the procedure for using interviews. However, the measurement section is not accompanied with the reliability or validity discussions of the instrumentations.
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On the trustworthiness of data in a qualitative study, Houser (2018, p 344) indicates that the threats to the trustworthiness of a study include historical events that did not occur during the study but would affect the outcome and attrition not being excessive. In the study, Hallberg et al. (2010) define and control extraneous variables, and provide an extensive discussion on the findings, debunking the possibility of maturation being an alternative explanation for the outcomes. However, the authors demonstrated prolonged contact with participants and lacked an audit trail. The authors underline the trustworthiness of the data but fail to demonstrate the audit trail, essential in a qualitative study.
How study results inform EBP.
The findings of the study indicate that women’s HRQOL and daily life were strongly affected by the impact of the vertebral fracture. The study concluded that women struggled for independence or maintaining their independence by trying to manage different types of symptoms and consequences through diverse approaches. The study underlines a gap through which EBP could address and improve the long-term health outcomes of the target population. As Stevens (2013) notes, examining literature and resources for the next big ideas in EBP helps identify the best opportunities to improve the quality of care and offer effective interventions. As recommended by Hallberg et al. (2010), developing an intervention to use self-management strategies for the women so that they can utilize the best approaches in managing their health after a vertebral fracture. The outcomes of the intervention, such as better independence were linked to positively influence their HRQOL and daily life, thereby underlining the formidability of the EBP.
In conclusion, Hallberg et al. (2010) examine the long term impact of vertebral fracture and observe a negative correlation with HRQOL and daily life. The qualitative research approach allows the authors to attain the individual and in-depth understanding of the perspective of the purposeful sample. Besides failing to articulate a clear problem statement and purpose statement, the authors have high credibility, provide a rationale for its design, and has an adequate sampling and measurement strategy. The article, however, fails to review literature extensively and check for the validity and reliability of instruments used in the study.
References
Hallberg, I., Ek, A. C., Toss, G., & Bachrach-Lindström, M. (2010). A striving for independence: a qualitative study of women living with vertebral fracture. BMC nursing, 9, 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6955-9-7.
Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: Reading, using and creating evidence. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Stevens, K., (2013) The impact of evidence-based practice in nursing and the next big ideas. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18,(2), Manuscript 4. doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol18No02Man04
Question
Activity 1
Critical Evaluation of Qualitative or Quantitative Research Study
Read: Stevens, K., (2013) The impact of evidence-based practice in nursing and the next big ideas. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18,(2), Manuscript 4. doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol18No02Man04
Critically evaluate either Study 3 or Study 4. Evaluate the credibility of professional citation, research design, and procedures in a research article. Include a discussion on how this study contributes to evidence-based practice.
- Study 3 – Patients’ and partners’ health-related quality of life before and 4 months after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery
- Study 4 – Striving for independence: a qualitative study of women living with vertebral fracture
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Suggested Reading
- Schreiber, M. L. (2016). Evidence-Based Practice. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy. MEDSURG Nursing, 25(6), 425-428.
- Stevens, K., (2013) The impact of evidence-based practice in nursing and the next big ideas. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18,(2), Manuscript 4. doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol18No02Man04
- Wakefield, A. (2014). Searching and critiquing the research literature. Nursing Standard, 28(39), 49-57. doi:10.7748/ns.28.39.49.e8867
- Chapter 6 (pp. 131-153), Chapter 7 (pp. 157-185), Chapter 8 (pp. 189-226) Chapter 12 (pp.323-350)& Chapter 13 (pp. 351-380) In Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: Readings, using & creating evidence (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning
Qualitative Specific Resources
- Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: Readings, using & creating evidence (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Chapter 9, p. 229-252
- Chapter 14, p. 385-416
- Chapter 15, p. 419-442
Additional Instructions:
- All submissions should have a title page and reference page.
- Utilize a minimum of two scholarly resources.
- Adhere to grammar, spelling and punctuation criteria.
- Adhere to APA compliance guidelines.
- Adhere to the chosen Submission Option for Delivery of Activity guidelines.