Qualitative Methodology Practices in Nursing - Essay Example

Qualitative Methodology Practices in Nursing You're Qualitative Methodology Practices in Nursing Within the field of nursing there are various methodologies that are utilized which assist the nurse in comprehending all of the relevant health care concerns of a patient and the treatment processes that are applied within the patient care. Furthermore, there are different theories and research models which are utilized that affect the practice of nursing itself and also influence the public's perception of what the nurse's role in the structure of health care actually is. The four main research methodologies that are utilized in this profession are applied research, a grounded theory, the content analysis, and the thematic analysis (Mcilfatrick & Keeny 2002, p. 629). As was stated, the way in which the public perceives nursing significantly influences the nurse's performance, job satisfaction, and occupational expectations. To extend these points further with regard to the public and the field of nursing, the professional image has been subject to a plethora of influencing factors since health-care services were first established in this country over two centuries ago. This goes back to the theoretical aspect of its colonial origins and how they influenced medicine and health care reforms today. Since the colonial period, nursing has evolved through decades of changes and reform. From a position of significant oppression and medical subservience, generations of nurses have fought for public recognition in terms of identity, respect, and role acknowledgement. In fact these are the reasons that so much research has been conducted in this profession and the various theoretical theorizations and methodologies have taken root. This has created a better perception with regard to the nurses' role and it has helped them establish their position in health care more fluidly. The main theoretical point behind the usage of these four methodologies is the fact that these specific methods provide accurate and reliable ways to promote good positive outcomes for patients, as well as providing assistance to the nurses to ensure that they stay in the correct professional framework which guides them on an everyday basis in their work routines. Theory of Applied Research Applied research is a dependable element in the nursing field. Although in its basic form it is only considered to be fundamental for solving more practical and basic problems it can also find a niche in other areas of the nursing profession as well. Theoretically it can help in pin-pointing certain symptoms through a research methodology that is of a nurses own choosing, since there are many different research methodologies available (Lehtinen et al 2005, p. 44). Therefore, usage of an applied research model helps the nurse facilitate the treatment regimen more fluidly due to the fact that the basic symptoms or problems can be rectified and hence corrected to change a specific outcome. Take for example the disease of cancer. Applied research helps the nurse prioritize what research is more worthy of further study in order to acquire more essential knowledge on the subject so that a better determination of treatment can be given (Mcilfatrick & Keeny 2002, p. 629). Furthermore, it helps to promote the correct direction and focus in developing a strategy for studying various forms of cancer to be better prepared in caring for a cancer patient. By incorporating the research question, found through the usage of applied research, within certain basic studies of cancer, nurses are better prepared to provide care with regard to how to alleviate nausea and vomiting, interventions for pain, coping with grief or death, and prevention and treatment of existing cancer or other possible cancers (Mcilfatrick & Keeny 2002, p. 630). This emphasizes the fact that the basic research of this disease is actually the initial phase leading into the methodology of applied research to begin with (Lehtinen et al 2005, p. 44). This can be validated because studies have emphasized the fact that these two phases indeed do work together in solving practical problems found within the profession of nursing and patient care regimens (Lehtinen et al 2005, p. 43). Because nursing research can focus on different areas such as "research in context", or "interdisciplinary research" as well as others, there are a variety of ways it can be looked at but over all it affects the nurses role in particular ways such as with implementing changes in the routine, the way in which they reflect upon their actions, and the over all practice of nursing (Lehtinen et al 2005, p. 44). Matter of factly basic research leading to applied research greatly improves the nursing and caring issues which are always a part of the theoretical aspects in the professional body of nursing. Applied research also comes in helpful to those in the medical field due to the fact that the practice of caring for patients is often evidenced based and therefore there needs to be a strict adherence to the correct type of care to be given. Furthermore, nurses must justify their actions just as the physicians must and all decisions are followed up through executives of the NHS to check for the accuracy and potency of proper health care (French 2005, p. 125). Also, many studies carried out on the profession of nursing have shown that theoretically, applied research helps contemporary nurses become increasingly aware of their unique skills and valuable contributions to healthcare, and they continue to embrace education and professional strategies in order to improve their public image. As a result of the ability that applied research has given nurses in solving problematic scenarios in their profession, it can be said that nursing has at last moved from its traditional position of dependence and oppression to one of greater autonomy and respect. Thereby it can be seen why applied research is utilized and why its importance is so significant in the nurses' role and the medicinal environment period. Grounded Theory in Nursing The use of grounded theory in nursing comes straight from the data that is gathered and analyzed in research studies or from reflective first hand experiences in nursing care also. It is also realized to be a theoretical theory that is a much needed approach to the area of qualitative research gathering. This theory provides nurses with the inept ability to accurately find resolutions to some types of medical problems with regard to treatment and care. For example, this theory gives nurses relevant predictions, explanations, interpretations, and applications through the research that they have gathered about a certain medical problem or area that they would like to promote change in (Hatton & Webb 1993, p.53). For example, if language is a barrier to proper medical health care then some nurses work in the research area to find ways to work around it. They then utilized the grounded theory method to gain factual knowledge of how to approach the problem and change it. This is a very affluent research theory in nursing as it comes in handy in many aspects of healthcare, for instance interpreters are often needed since cultural identity is becoming more diverse in every nation. Also, another idea that has been gained from this theorization in regards to communication is having nurses learn a second language in order to communicate with different ethnicities better. Of course the methodology of grounded theory has predicted Spanish would be the most crucial second language for nurses to acquire. This is due to the fact that many Spanish and Latin ethnicities are entering into the country and don't speak the native English dialect. Therefore, nurses studying a second language (Spanish in particular) would minimize the communication barrier, as has been mentioned. Another area where grounded theory faces heavy usage is in correctional nursing, or nurses who work with inmates, etc (Droes 1994, p.1). When this type of methodology is put to use in this environment certain aspects of nursing care are allowed to develop through gathered data analysis from interviews of inmates and guards as well. It develops a form of mandated care which is then administrated through a tolerance filled philosophy between the health care staff and the prison guards. In this area it is found that health care is differentiated due to the environment but an approach to treatment for inmates is attainable by using the assumptions that grounded theory provides to the nurses (Droes 1994, p. 1). Of course there are other health care areas where this type of research method can be utilized as well, especially in mental health care facilities. The point is nursing takes many forms and therefore there are many theorizations that provide adequate assistance in every environment so that Essential and proper nursing care can be given to all people. The reason that grounded theory works so well in a facilitated environment such as a prison is the fact that information is limited and prior information is minimal. Therefore grounded theory provides as much "reliable interpersonal information" as possible so that the nurse patient relationship is sufficient enough to promote good health within the prison population (McCann & Clark 2003, p. 7). The use of Thematic Analysis in Nursing Within a clinical setting the use of thematic analysis among nurses is an extremely promising way of allowing for the ability to gather high quality and enriching data on subjects which ultimately leads to better job performance and positive outcomes in the medical environment. Thematic analysis is a prominent way of defining specific areas of nursing as it gives content rich data that otherwise would be hard to obtain without this type of methodology; therefore it is a common practice among nurses who are carrying out much of the research in health care (Overcash 2004). The data is often narrative in form and is multidimensional so therefore it can be used in other areas of the nursing field where it is found to be viable of course. In fact, this type of research is more of a personal reflection from the nurses themselves. They learn from the various experiences that they come into contact with in their professional duties, not just simply by researching and studying about illness and treatment. Therefore this is a powerful way to gain fool-proof ideas and bring about changes in the nursing environment, again through a reflective type of methodology (Overcash 2004). Also, it moves past the mere thought of an individual as just a patient as the nurse is able to focus on the patient as an individual and gain valuable insight about the person whom they are treating so that they can improve on their actions which benefits the patient more. This is more of a form of narrative research yet it goes hand and hand with the thematic analysis methodological process that nurses utilizes on a somewhat daily basis. For instance the following quote clarifies the true usage that this form of research actually gives nurses: Narrative displays the goals and intentions of human actors; it makes individuals, cultures, societies, and historical epochs comprehensible as wholes, it humanizes time and allows us to contemplate the effects of our actions and to alter the direction of our lives (Overcash 2004). Through the use of narrative research, it is found to be an aid in thematic analysis studies to be able to clearly and comprehensibly understand the patients past medical history and any other influences that might have bearing on the type of care that needs to be given. Thematic analysis actually identifies certain concepts in the data gathered through narrative research, so as was stated they both work together to create a whole unit of research for nurses to work with and to draw understanding from (Overcash 2004). Furthermore, thematic analysis focuses in on parts of the data that are recurring, repetitious in wording from the patient, and forcefulness that is emphasized through the body language of the pain. In this way nurses can more appropriately see how to articulate their care through a theoretical means which can provide future aid to the patients that they are caring for according to their unique needs and health problems. This method helps to reinforce a healthy relationship between nurses and patients as a trust is built between the two entities (Chircop 2006). In fact, the use of narrative research working along side thematic analysis helps nurses research and find ways to overcome areas such as, accessibility, patient participating in treatment, health promotion and illness prevention, finding appropriate technology, and intersectoral collaboration (Chircop 2006). Quite obviously it is a very power tool for gathering research within various areas of nursing and promotes far better relationships between nurses and the patients due to the improved understanding that nurses gain through the use of this methodology. Content Analysis in Nursing The usage of content analysis helps nurses distinguish what gathered data and compiled information is most reliable and viable to their research routines, especially from a community approach (Moorhead 2004). Also, the level of nursing sensitivity is reviewed through this methodology as well which results in a stronger effectiveness in community disease prevention and educational outreaches of proper health care within the community. However this methodology is also effective in other areas of nursing as well as it is found to be a multifaceted methodology. Content analysis also is fruitful to qualitative research as it helps nurses determine the best possible methods to use in reaching positive outcomes for patients. It is found that from a theoretical perspective, it breaks down gathered content, analyzes it and reaches strategic decisions in health care. For instance, from this methodology the future care of elderly patients in nursing homes can be provided more efficiently and therefore a better assurance in maintaining a good quality of health among these patients could be established. Not only this but any changes that have to take place within a normal routine have to be analyzed as well such as cases where emergency evacuation might arise, for instance the hurricane that hit New Orleans(Montagne 2005). This is some small examples of how the methodology of content analysis plays a part in gathering qualitative data and thereby ensures proper patient outcomes. In finality, nurses use unique methodologies to carry out their jobs everyday. The research is extremely imperative to guaranteeing that nurses are doing the very best they can to maintain proper elements of nursing care for their patients. Without a doubt, if the research phase of nursing was missing then the nurses would definitely have a harder time of ensuring good quality care for their patients because they depend on the gathered data and various research to help them in determining what forms of approach to use in each individualized case that they come into contact with. Therefore the nurse's role is extremely multi-dimensional as they have to research, gather the data, analyze it correctly, be attentive listeners, interpreter's, empathizers, and more than anything caring facilitators over the nursing strategies that are found and then utilized to care for their many patients. It is a field with extensive research, often rewarding outcomes, and a satisfying experience all at the same time. Notes 1. Droes, Nellie, "Correctional Nursing Practice," Community Health Nursing 11 (1994): 1-5. 2. French, Beverly, "The Process of Research Use in Nursing," Journal of Advanced Nursing 49 (2005): 125-134. 3. Hatton, Diane & Webb, Teresa, "Information Transmission in Bilingual, Bicultural Contexts: A Field Study of Community Health Nurses and Interpreters," Community Health Nursing 10 (1993): 53-60. 4. Lehtinen, Ullaliina & Ohlen, Joakim & Asplund, Kenneth, "Some Remarks on the Relevance of Basic Research in Nursing Inquiry," Nursing Philosophy 6 (2005): 43-50. 5. McCann, TV & Clark, E., "Grounded Theory in Nursing Research: Part I-Methodology," School of Nursing and Midwifery 11 (2003): 7-18. 6. Mcilfatrick, S.J. & Keeny, S., "Identifying Cancer Nursing Research Priorities Using the Delphi Technique," Journal of Advanced Nursing 42 (2003): 629-636. 7. Montagne, Renee, "Analysis: Elderly Evacuee's Await Return to Nursing Home," Morning Edition NPR (2005): 5. 8. Moorehead, Sue, "Content Validity and Nursing Sensitivity of Community Level Outcomes from the Nursing Outcomes Classification," Journal of Nursing Scholarship (2004): 1. 9. Overcash, Janine, "Narrative Research: A Viable Methodology for Clinical Nursing," Nursing Forum (2004): 1. Read More