Cognitive Therapy Group for Cardiac Rehabilitation - Term Paper Example

? Qualitative Research Article - Participant Experiences of a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Group for Cardiac Rehabilitation - NumberTotal Number of Words: 1,012 Introduction This study aims to explore, identify, and analyze valid reasons for using a qualitative research approach when examining the research participants’ experiences after participating in a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for patients in cardiac rehabilitation centers. As part of going through the main discussion, the article written by Griffiths, Camic and Hutton (2009) entitled “Participant experiences of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group for cardiac rehabilitation” will be used in giving out real-life examples to back up the arguments that will be presented in this essay. Characteristics of Qualitative Research In coming up with a research finding or a research conclusion, the use of qualitative research approach is not characterized by the use of numbers. Instead, qualitative approach in research gives more emphasis on the use of information generated in the form of text rather than in the form of statistical data (Marschan-Piekkari & Welch, 2004: 130). Therefore, qualitative research does not employ the use of hypotheses (Rubin & Babbie, 2013: 248). Since qualitative approach in research is not limited with the use of numbers, the research findings presented through the use of qualitative research method is more subjective, constructive, personal, descriptive, precise, and detailed (Johnson & Christensen, 2012: 34). Strengths and Weaknesses of Using a Qualitative Approach in the Study Question There are advantages when it comes to the use of qualitative approach in research. For instance, the use of qualitative approach in research can empower the researchers in terms of being able to deliver a more descriptive explanation behind the research participants’ personal experiences right after receiving a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy which was purposely designed for the use of patients who are undergoing the process of cardiac rehabilitation program. It means that the researchers were able to gather a more comprehensive response or perspective coming from its target research respondents (Rubin & Babbie, 2013: 248). By allowing the research participants to freely express their individual perception and feelings about the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, the researchers were able to gain substantial understanding of the answers behind the study question (Griffiths, Camic, & Hutton, 2009). For example, patients in cardiac rehabilitation centers usually suffer from stress caused by worrying, anxiety. and depression (Griffiths, Camic, & Hutton, 2009). With the use of qualitative approach (i.e. one-on-one interview, post-intervention interview, etc.), the researchers can gather descriptive and non-judgemental answers as to why the patients would feel or act in certain ways. Furthermore, the use of qualitative approach in research is more advantageous in terms of gathering non-judgemental research findings which can be use to educate the medical professionals about the possible effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as a psychological intervention for patients with cardiac problems. Was the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention successful in terms of improving the overall quality of life of the patients in cardiac rehabilitation centers? Did the patient feel any better after receiving mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention? Was the patients’ level of stress, anxiety and depression reduced after participating in relaxation training intervention? Basically, the answers to these questions can be generated after conducting an interview with cardiac rehabilitation patients before and after they participate in an eight (8) week nurse-led mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program. Although the use of a qualitative approach will provide the researchers a more subjective, constructive, personal, descriptive, precise, and detailed, the use of this approach in research will not provide the researchers with a more generalized idea about the answer to the study question. It means that the researcher will have more difficulty knowing how many of these patients claim that the use of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is effective in terms of alleviating their levels of stress caused by worrying, anxiety and stress. With the use of a pure qualitative research study approach, it is also close to impossible to measure and make a report the following information: (1) How many of the research participants remain committed throughout the completion of the qualitative research study?; or (2) How many of the research participants were happy and satisfied with the nurse-led mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program? Reason for Using a Qualitative Approach instead of a Quantitative One There are quite a lot of possible reasons as to why Griffiths, Camic and Hutton (2009) decided to use qualitative approach in research instead of a quantitative one. One of the most obvious reasons is that the researchers aim to examine the personal point-of-views of five (5) men and one (1) woman who were inivited and voluntarily agreed to participate in this particular qualitative research study. By conducting an interview with the six (6) research participants, the researchers were able to learn more about their individual awareness, commitment, and group experiences about the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program. For a quantitative research study to be effective, it is necessary for the researchers to gather a minimum of 100 research survey respondents so as to avoid unnecessary measurement errors (Bryman & Cramer, 2005: 154). Because of the fact that the researchers have only six (6) research participants, the research findings presented in this study cannot be completed with the use of quantitative approach. Conclusion The use of qualitative approach in research is the best approach when it comes to generating a more subjective, constructive, personal, descriptive, precise, and detailed response from each of the qualified research participant. By conducting a pre- and post-intervention interview, the researchers were able to gather a descriptive and non-judgemental response with regards to patients’ level of stress, anxiety and depression reduced after participating in relaxation training intervention including their individual awareness, commitment, and group experiences about the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program. Although quantitative approach to research is commonly used by other researchers, this method does not literally apply to the research study of Griffiths, Camic and Hutton (2009). Aside from the small number of research participants who agreed to participate in the qualitative study of Griffiths, Camic and Hutton (2009), the main purpose of their study totally disregarded the importance of quantitative approach in research. All these reasons clearly explain why the researchers decided to make use of pure qualitative approach in their study. References Bryman, A., & Cramer, D. (2005). Quantitative Data Analysis with SPSS Release 12 and 13: A Guide for Social Scientists. NY: Routledge. Griffiths, K., Camic, P., & Hutton, J. (2009). Participant experiences of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group for cardiac rehabilitation. Journal of Health Psychology , 14(5), 675-681. Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2012). Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches. 4th Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Marschan-Piekkari, R., & Welch, C. (2004). Handbook of qualitative research methods for international business. Massachusetts: Edward Elgar Publishing. Rubin, A., & Babbie, E. (2013). Essential Research Methods for Social Work. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning. Read More