Positive Health Outcomes: Nursing Studies and Analyses - Essay Example

"Positive Health Outcomes: Nursing Studies and Analyses" is a perfect example of a paper on injuries and wounds. Rigor refers to the use of an accurate and comprehensive approach to key research methods in a given study. Researchers strongly demonstrate the use of Rigor in this research through the use of an appropriate qualitative methodology. They adopt a phenomenological design in the study which inquires into the experience of people living with chronic, non-healing wounds, and gives a detailed account of what it means for such a person’. The sources of data included field notes and interviews. The recruitment procedure was sufficient and in line with the aims of the research (Lunney 15). 

Researchers have used different criteria to select the purposive sample of 16 which includes having a chronic no healing wound existing longer than 8 weeks, lack of diagnosed confusion or mental health problem likely to interfere with the interviewing process, and ability to express oneself in English. The interviewees had attained retirement and arose from both genders. The nursing administrators contacted the interviewees at two separate facilities serving elders. The researchers conducted the recruitment of subjects through newsletters and other internal communication methods with written and verbal information provided to the participants at the first meeting. This recruitment provided the researchers with the most appropriate participants to give access to the knowledge sought by the study (Lunney 29).

Ethical issues have also been put into consideration; La Salle University’s institutional Review Board reviewed and approved the study. The interviewers served participants with a verbal and written explanation before the beginning of the interview. They informed participants that their consent could be taken away at any time during the study. The interviewers used Code numbers instead of participants’ names to assure participants of their confidentiality. The researchers finally towards the end of the study destroyed all the tapes. The researchers collected data in a thorough and appropriate approach. Before interviews, participants signed consent forms, followed by the completion of a brief demographic questionnaire. They carried out the activity in a quiet environment which enhanced the conduct of audio taping and the participants’ reflections on their experiences. Both researchers conducted each interview using semi-structured, open-ended requests for information (Lunney 36).

Credibility

There are clear and detailed statements of findings in this study. The researchers use a table to explain common themes present in one’s experience of living with a chronic wound. Researchers describe context related to care to give, history of wound development, and the influence on personal and interpersonal relationships. The researchers have discussed in detail the theme clusters they obtain from data sources. These data sources include living with pain, receiving care, losing mobility, explaining causes of wounds, living, and aging among others. The researchers have drawn a thematic comparison table (Lunney 49). This greatly increases the credibility of their study by comparing other researchers' work and theirs. This study shows that researchers have discussed findings in relation to the original questions of the research and have answered the questions adequately.

Relevance

The researchers have discussed the contribution of the study to the existing knowledge. Living with chronic wounds incorporates psychological, physiological, and social themes. Researchers have identified many themes and theme clusters concerning this study in earlier researches. However, two theme clusters which include changing eating patterns and living and aging had not been identified.  This study contributes to the body of knowledge that aids caregivers both family or volunteer and professional, to help people adapt and cope with chronic wounds in a positive, healthy manner. Through the use of a critical appraisal skills program, there is evidence of the use of rigor, credibility, and relevance in the study.

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