Quantitative Studies in Nursing Research - Essay Example

Research Critique al Affiliation) Research Critique Introduction The research critique seeks to present my critical understanding of the study, Response to breast health screening program at a not-for-profit clinic for working poor, uninsured, ethnically diverse women, and respond to specific action items of an evidence-based nursing study. Evidence-Based nursing research should adopt a time-tested systematic approach, apply scientific evidence to practice, and follow a qualitative or quantitative design to help in making informed clinical decisions (LoBiondo-Wood, & Haber, 2013). The paper provides the critical analysis of a successful quantitative study that addresses protection of human participants, data collection, data management and analysis, problem statement, and interpretation of findings in an effective manner. The critical appraisal will follow a defined order and address the main points outlined below. Benefits and risks of participating in the study Consent obtained Voluntary participation Institutional review board approval Independent and dependent variables Data collection method Rationale for selected data collection method Time for data collection Data management and analysis methods Rigor of the process Minimizing the effects of researcher bias Findings validity Limitations of the study Coherence logic to the presentation Implications of the findings Suggestions for further studies Importance and congruity of the thesis statement Logical wrap-up Critical appraisal and analysis of the findings to nursing practice Summary of the knowledge learned Protection of Human Participants The author noted that participation in the study could help in improving the detection of breast cancer in women of low socio-economic status, and lacking health insurance. The study showed that participation increased women’s awareness of vulnerability to breast cancer and presented the perceived benefits of obtaining a mammography (Morrison, 2012). However, the author failed to identify the risk posed by exposing women to annual mammography and frequent Self Breast Examination. The researcher obtained informed consent from the participants. The researcher informed them of their rights and the details of the study. Seemingly, the subjects participated in the study voluntarily. They had the right to participate and withdraw from the study at any time. The subjects would lose no benefits by participating or withdrawing from the study. However, they received a token of appreciation for participation. The researcher obtained institutional review board approval from Duquesne University where the study took place (Morrison, 2012). Data Collection The study identified major independent and dependent variables. Indeed, the author used radiology reports to establish completed mammography as the dependent variable in the study (Morrison, 2012). She also analyzed questions posed to the women to establish demographics and health history as the independent variables in the study (Morrison, 2012). The researchers used subject-controlled, longitudinal study, radiology reports, questions on the study survey, and women’s medical records to collect the required data (Morrison, 2012). The researcher selected radiology reports and women’s medical records to collect data because they are valid, credible, and reliable. She also selected questions on the study survey since they would derive independent, true, and unbiased information. The researcher promised to keep the responses confidential thus encouraging them to fill the questionnaires with provide reliable and credible data. The time for data collection of the study took a span of 3 years (Morrison, 2012). The researcher obtained consent to access medical records and recruit participants. They posted invitations to possible participants followed by a 25-question survey. They later invited women to complete the survey at the clinic. Data Management and Analysis The study relied on various data management and analysis methods. Indeed, the researcher used Statistical Package for Social Services (SPSS) Windows version 17.0 to analyze data retrieved from the survey and women’s medical record (Morrison, 2012). The researcher used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze demographic data and health history variables (Morrison, 2012). Moreover, they used nonparametric chi-square and t-test statistics to analyze research questions posed to volunteering women (Morrison, 2012). The author used statistical software, SPSS to ensure accuracy of the analysis. The examination of crosstabs command and adjustment of distributional assumptions assured the rigor of the process by analyzing the relationship between two variables. This helped in trailing critical decisions made during the analysis. The author sought to minimize the effects of researcher bias by declaring that she has no conflict of interests in the study (Morrison, 2012). Findings / Interpretation/ Implications The researcher derived that women who received the reminder postcard completed a second mammography on time (Morrison, 2012). She also established that women who completed mammography on time had significantly lower susceptibility scores to breast cancer than those who did not complete on time (Morrison, 2012). The researcher derived that on time annual mammography leads to lower perceived susceptibility to breast cancer among low-income uninsured women (Morrison, 2012). More women who were knowledgeable about the screening recommendations completed their annual mammography test at some time, even if late (Morrison, 2012). The researcher established that Hispanic women completed an annual mammography test at a significantly higher rate than expected compared to white women (Morrison, 2012). Apparently, the researcher established that knowledge about breast screening is important though it does not correlate to the urgency to obtain the mammography. I have confidence in these findings since they manifest a valid and accurate reflection of the reality. The limitations in the study included the range of time between participating in the Breast Health Program and completing the health belief survey as well as the generalization of Hispanic women of different backgrounds (Morrison, 2012). Notably, the presentation of findings depicts coherent logic since there are minimal gaps in the study. The findings have implications for nursing practice since they can apply to general nursing practice, to Hispanic women. Further studies should examine a cultural approach on breast health screening since the study did not address a specific country of origin. Conclusion Apparently, the critical analysis depicts a successful quantitative study that addresses protection of human participants, data collection, data management and analysis, problem statement, and interpretation of findings in an effective manner. An effective evidence-based nursing study should follow the steps of the research process as discussed in this paper clearly and sufficiently (Burns & Grove, 2011). The discussed findings can apply to nursing practice since the study proved participants substantial increased mammography use after participating in the Breast Health Program. Indeed, clinicians should offer free mammography annually to contain breast cancer especially on Hispanic women. The study derived fundamental knowledge where it confirmed the importance of completed and on time mammography in reducing susceptibility to breast cancer. The study also informed the audience on how knowledge about breast screening motivates women to obtain the mammography that reduces breast cancer susceptibility. References Burns, N., & Grove, S. (2011). Understanding Nursing Research (5th ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences. LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, G. (2013). Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences. Morrison, T. L. (2012). Response to breast health screening program at a not-for-profit clinic for working poor, uninsured, ethnically diverse women. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 21, 3216–3222. Read More