Research Methodologies and Research Framework Articles - Essay Example

By Institute Introduction: This paper is a critique on the research methodologies and the research framework. It discusses and critiques the qualitative and quantitative research methodologies respectively. For this purpose, two case studies have been used. The first one –the case study used for critiquing qualitative research methodology- observes the influence the night shifts have on the health, diet and exercise routines of nurses.. The second one –the case study used for critiquing quantitative research methodology- probes the link between the belief and actual recommendation of exercise to patients with regards to nurses. Caldwell’s framework is the basis of the research charter that has been followed for the critical analysis of research regarding health. Research Critique Article 1: “Situations influencing habits in diet and exercise among nurses working night shift” The article is inscribed by Rtensson (RNT) & Persson (PhD, RN) and it was printed in Journal of Nursing Management in 2006. The authors are well known for their credibility. The focus of research is on the a world wide issue nowadays that is the the effect of life-style on health; the relationship between influence on health of working at night and the resulting diet or exercise habits is explored. It argues the issue which can potentially lead to the highest amount of life years mislaid by 2025 that is life style related illness. The issue is handled by concentrating on life-style issues identified with unhealthy dietary patterns and absence of physical action. The key issues discussed here include the affect of different variables/actors on the nurses working during night hours. These include colleagues, circadian rhythm and freedom of action. The facts presented and discussed help identify the objective of research i.e. whether these variables affect the diet and exercise habits of the workers. However, focus is more being laid upon the general health of the workers instead of a specific focus related to what they eat and if they work out or not. Nevertheless, the rationale for carrying out the research is clearly mentioned by stating that there is very scant data available on the relationship between working during night hours and diet or exercise habits: a gap in literature exists on this issue. Methodology Qualitative exploration is centered on subjective data. . Gatherings allow the researcher to examine the subject all around with respect to a particular topic and to have more noticeable control over the examination. In observation, subjects can be analyzed in their standard living space. The purpose of this sort of investigation is that the conclusions can be illuminating to the researcherIn non- participant observation, subjects can be considered in their indigenous habitat, this is an unobtrusive research method conforming to Jane Goodall methodology. Triangulation is also vital to ensure legitimacy of the study. Informants are selected on the basis of their relevant knowledge or experience. Representativeness is not a criteria when a sample is taken. This kind of examination uses a smaller sample than that of quantitative research. The data acquired in this sort of examination often addresses the why and can prompt a quantitative study post result. According to an article dispersed by Nurse Researcher, the qualitative study obliges investigators to contribute a greater measure of vitality by remembering the finished objective to expand full understanding of the phenomena being investigated (Bernard, 2011, n.d). Further, providing systematic methods for data collection and analysis, and incorporation alternative interpretations for results may provide greater credibility and validity with respect to qualitative research (Östlund,et.al. 2011, pp.369-383). In this exploration paper the author has utilized the qualitative research methodology. Critical Incident Technique was made use of in which the human behavior is observed through a systematic methodology. Questtionnaires and interviews were also used occasionally. The informants included twenty five enrolled and two registered nurses from South Western Sweden. They usually worked in pairs. The methodology has been identified by explaining that situations themselves constitute as results by sorting behavior of the respondents in these situations into different categories. In this case, the methodology is justified since it measures the eating and exercising habtits of nurses in a situation i.e. during night shift hours and requires setailed data and observation. Ethical approval: It is clearly identified that consent was attained from the Ethics Committee of Lund University afore the origination of the investigation. Furthermore, authorization to conduct the investigation was also obtained from the operations manager or the supervisor of the nurses who are being investigated.Participation was voluntary and and any participant was allowed to quit from the investigation at any point in time. Further, a written consent was alo acquired prior to starting the investigation. However, ethical issues in the place of work such as privacy of patients and nurses both have not been addressed here. Sampling: The sample taken here includes nurses from South Western Sweden. The sample is a reliable one and is also representative since it includes typical workers who have to work during night hours on consistent basis. The sample mostly included women from four different age groups. The findings from this sample can be relied upon as representative of the whole population since the eating and exercise habits of nurses can be expected to be followed by workers in other sectors such as guards and police seargents. However, most of the witnesses had experienced childhood in the same locality and amongst all of them only two belonged to the male gender. For the study, only twenty seven members of the staff out of forty five took part. Data Collection Data collection was carried out by means of audio tapes semi-structured interviews. Questions focused on nightwork as well as diet and exercising habits. The author themselves conducted the interviews. The durations of these interviews was usually between 15 and 60 minutes. The stretch and the location of the interviews were allowed to be decided by the informants. Those under observation were supposed to give information regarding both positive and negative affects of night work on their diet. This method of data collection is auditable since data was audio taped. It was also auditable because self observation could have been carried out to test the accuracy of the data. However, the meetings were directed amid the Christmas season, and massive numbers of the staff failed to reach the incorporation paradigm of showing up for late shifts for no less than 1 year at the work environment being referred to (Persson, & Mårtensson, 2006,pp. 414-423). Data Analysis: The meetings were recorded using a tape recorder and were afterwards listened to and interpreted letter-perfect. The author had to read those at least a few times to make himself at ease with the material. A quantity of 572 situations managing eating routine and exercise propensities rose up out of the meetings, 143 of which were specifically identified with night work. The circumstances identified with night work were examined as per CIT and assembled by practices. The information investigation proceeded with a precise order of the distinguished practices into subcategories comprising of comparable practices, after which the subcategories were gathered into classes (Buss, 2012, pp.453-458). At last, two principle regions rose to which a connection could be made to all categories of circumstances. A test namely a mediator test was used to see that if the information investigation is something that could be dependant upon. The classifications and categories of different cirumstances were differentiated and established by the author and they were then co-related in an arbitrary manner. The director then moved forward to mix the circumstances into sub-sets of categories. The translator dependability in the middle of author and administrator was 90.6%. The data is credible since investigation involved no sensitive data collection, although a margin of error still exists because the informant may not provide the correct information. Nevertheless, the circumstance were examined under CIT and information was divided into categories carefully- and eventually distributed into two major categories. A mediator test was also performed to ensure dependability of data. To reinforce the dependability of the outcomes, just staff individuals with no less than 1 year experience of night work were incorporated. Hence, we can say that data is both comfirmable and credible. However, the night staff at the chosen work environment comprised of a very homogeneous gathering as far as foundation variables, for example, instruction and social viewpoints. In light of the aggregate study gathering being little, key examining was seriously confined. The meeting were led despite the time being of summer and spring season, and it is easily adjudged that the meeting would have had a different outcome if they had taken place in some other time than the ones mentioned before. This judgment was made in the light of the sources available when the suspicion arose that life-style did have a significant effect due to the season. Furthermore, a total number of four inquries were each made for both eating routine and exercise.. In the pilot interviews, different choices of arrangements for the inquiries were tried. Inquiries managing eating regimen propensities appeared to be more delicate in nature. Implications/Conclusion: The research displayed that for enhancing the health of the nurses the encounters are need to be made use off. A majorily reported health risk is working at night. Working during late night is something that has an effect not only physically but rationally as well. In work environments where the staff is usually under mential strain is provided supervision. In order to fulfill the obligations of the profession related to physical wellness, the requirements include physical preparation. To achieve the precise goal of counterattacking any sick health amongst specifically the staff which works at night, the likelihood for physical preparation of the workers and their supervision needs to be properly investigated (Boivin, & Boudreau, 2014, pp.292-301). These results are outlined in a clear and unambiguous way and seem to be the protruding from the discussion throughout the article. The discussion was also comprehensive since it covered the influence of different variables on diet, exercise and nightwork such as colleagues, circadian rythym and the scope of freedom of action. Data was well presented through tables regarding capability to cope with the situation, in accordance to the variable that influenced the nurses. The conclusion is comprehensive since it not only outlines the outcomes of the research but also points towards other factors that need to be investigated. Article 2: “Registered nurses’ beliefs of the benefits of exercise, their exercise behavior and their Patient teaching regarding exerciseijn_1951” This article is written by Esposito & Fitzpatrick (2011). Exposito is assistant executive director and physician in North Shore-LIJ Health System. The writer is a professor in the field of nursing at the Westren Reserve University. The authors have discussed the Recommendations by specialists urging each grown-up to partake in at least 30 minutes of daily physical exercise. Making use of the theory of pender’s health promotion, the research was conducted which zeroed in on the beliefs and the actual practice of the nurses related to excerise. As in, what is the linkage between exercise and their practical approach to it as a treatment (Esposito, & Fitzpatrick, 2011, pp.351-356). . It has been identified that nurses play a crucial role in providing health advice since they interact with people at key moments. Hence, they are often role models. Reasearches noticed the pattern in which they concluded that nurses who were practical applicants of healthy behaviors were more likely to suggest patients to incalcuate healthy life style. A study was conducted in the United Kingdom realted to health behaviours. In the study a sample of 113 nurses was chosen and they were asked to rate their opinions regarding health behaviors. The nurses gave an average of 8 rating to exercise which showed its significance. There is a void that exists in the literature that pertains to the beliefs of health professionals related to excersise and their recommendation related to working out to their patients. Therefore, the ultimate aim of this study is to see the reality behind the smog which is here the beliefs and practice of nurses related to recommendation of regularly exercising to patients. The discussion focuses on the comparison between heath of general population and the nurses, and comparison between exercising and dietary habits of general population and the nurses Methodology In this exploration the author has utilized the Quantitative system. Quantitative exploration is a methodology in which information is accumulated efficiently, investigated and reported in numerical and measurable values trying to clarify what has been watched or speculation. Analysts taking part in quantitative investigation infer a hypothesis that must be tried utilizing some manifestation of test outline to make connections between numerous dependant and free variables (Collis, & Hussey, 2013, n.d). Quantitative research is deductive in nature. Three key variables were used in the design of the study to study them hand in hand and not invidually, they include: principles concerning the welfares of exercise, testified exercise behaviours and recommendation of exercise to patients for health promotion or as part of a treatment plan. The point of interest of quantitative exploration is based on estimations from a substantial information bank. Information can be gathered from numerous members in a short measure of time and examined (Pickard, 2012, n.d). A problem with this sort of exploration is that just limited answer choices are available. Ordinarily logical trials utilized as a part of quantitative examination require "all the more hard controlled conditions" thus the outcomes are often viewed as more legitimate, yet maybe to the detriment "of the abundance and profundity of significance for members" (Benz & Newman, 19). This method has been clearly identified since standard and pre-determined questions were asked through the questionnaires from every member of the sample. This methodology is justifiable here since the sample is very large. Ethical considerations: The ethical issues have not been discussed here at all. Nothing is mentioned about acquiring permission from related authorities or about the consent of nurses, the timing of the research and whether it was suitable to the nurses, the place where it was conducted and whether the nurses felt comfortable during the research. Sampling: A healing facility in the city of New York was made use of for the study. The healing center contains 1000 overnight boardinghouses with more than 2000 enlisted nurses. A total of 112 nurses filled the questionnaire and they were contacted through email, posters and word of mouth. These nurses provided non-critical medical care; nurses in critical departments where exercise is not usually recommended to patients, such as operating room and intensive care unit, were not included in the sample. 93% of the nurses belonged to the female gender and their mean age was around the 43 mark. Majority of the nurses worked during day time and half of the sample had a bachelors degree. All of the male nurses were over weight or obese as their mean body indexes crossed on an average of 31.78 which was alarming. Out of all of them, at least three of them were having their BMI in the over-weight range and four were at an alarming obese level. Only the date of 84 female nurses was available of the total 96. The mean BMI was lower than that of men and was around 25.76. 43 nurses were found to in the normal weight range, 2 were underweight and the rest were found as overweight (around 25) and obese (around 14). Data Collection: Questionnaires were used to collect statistical data from the nurses. The advantages that exercise provides were calculated using a scale namely the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale. The belief and the benefits were properly scaled in which a higher score meant a positive reaction to exercise. The range of the scores were from 29 to 116. The cronbach alpha was found to be at 0.95. The conduct of the exercise was found by making use of the physical activity scale provided by HPLP-II that is a profile related to health promotion. The instrument contained more than 50 things which could be further distributed into different categories numbering to around six. The physical action subscale was based on a range of 8 to 32 and without any qualm a higher score meant a more better conduct of exercise of the respondent. An alpha of 0.85 was calculated as the cronbach’s alpha. It was in stark similarity to a system that was used by Nies and Jones as the scientist made use of physical movement subscale to report on the conduct of exercise. There were two annoucments made to propose exercise to patients. Healthy way of life and personal wellbeing was made the main focus of teaching patients regarding exercise for their health promotion (Östlund,et.al. 2011, pp.369-383). The announcement I advise regular exercise to patients for better health” was applied to assess suggestion of exercise for the greater promotion of health. A second proclamation, I recommend exercise to my patients as a article of their cure arrangement”, was exploited to emphasis proposition of exercise as a module of their treatment arrangement. In order to record the reactions related to the annoucmenets made regarding teaching of exercise for promoting health and making it as an integral component of the treatment a scale was established on a reaction scale of 1-10. This method of data collection is reliable since it follows a systematic and strict structure. It is also reliable because it can be replicated to any relevant research conducted in any geographical location. Quantitative methods are generally known for their reliability and validity. In this case as well, the data collection is valid because the three operational variables have been clearly defined as per the purpose of the research and the systematic collection of data has been done accordingly. Validity of Data Analysis Various methods are often adopted to enhance the validity of the results provided in quantitative analysis. The most common approaches to investigation adopted by quantitative researchers include face to face interviews, questionnaires, non participant observation etc. These methods focus on collecting statistical data, for example by counting the number of participants through observation. Reliability in quantitative data analysis is often based on the assumption that the results of a study can be easily replicated or repeated. (Pickard, 2012, n.d). Quantitative research data can be confirmed when the results of the study are easily corroborated by others in the field and are proved to be consistent; this can be achieved through documentation processes that allow checking and verifying of data retrieved during the course of the study. For the researcher to establish the credibility of results, it is important that the results of data can be transferred or generalized to those cases outside of the study; this is known as external validity . The content of the data collected should be valid as well in the sense that it must be relevant and the methods employed should be accurate and should provide reliable results. Implications/Conclusion: The BMI found by the research in this article (Esposito & Fitzpatrick, 2011) were comparably lower if compared to those found by Miller on their research regarding the nurses. The average BMI found out in this article turned out to be 27.2 and just around half of the sample size was found to be either overweight or obese. If we make use of co-relation, only 49 per cent were found out to be stout, a small 18.4 per centage to be hefty and the rest of them to have a good BMI. If we go country wide, USA has an overweight population of more than 66.3 where the New York state alone has 25.2 per cent of grown up adults to be obese. The consequences of the results were that the conclusion that nurses are actually less in weight as compared to their local community. Comparative examination was done with a smaple size of 511 nurses and around half of them were noticed to be overweight or stout with a BMI of 27.3 that is considered normal. Taking this in context, during the same period in their local community the normal BMI was found to be 26.2 and almost 49 per cent of the female populous was stout or overweight. The study shows that nurses pretty much pertain to the demographics of their local community in 2005. The results require that the female nurses should be more skinny than the nurses that were seen in other studies and have their body mass indexes very much similar to their locality. As per a report by US CDC in 2005, around 1/3rd of the populations is stout. In the watched specimen, in the heftiness category the results turned out to be straying from the established standard and resulted more than 57.1 per cent fat male nurses and a measly 16.6 per cent hefty female nurses. Hoewever, it was brought into attention the the sample size for male is not large enough to make a generalization. The effects of this study reinforce earlier established networks between opinions of the advantages of exercise and exercise behavior. The study in consequence makes a recommendation that the possibility of ecersie might exist when the connection between beliefs and benefits regarding exercise are investigated. The results of this study recommend that physical movement and belief that the excerise is beneficial have a similar impact on whether a nurse would suggest exercise to their patients. There are several ways in which a nurse’s belief can be influenced which include organizing classes, helath fair and motivational seminars and signage. Despite the fact that the study needs to be tested in different environments before coming to an ultimate conclusion, the study does offers new insights and new angles which impact the teaching relation to exercise for patients (Boivin, & Boudreau, 2014, pp.292-301). The results anyhow are not something that can be used to generalize because the sample size is not large enough and not enough variables are used to test every sort of condition. It is necessary to replicate the research model in other geographical locations as well before drawing a generalizeable conclusion. References Bernard, H. R. (2011). Research methods in anthropology: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Rowman Altamira. Boivin, D. B., & Boudreau, P. (2014). Impacts of shift work on sleep and circadian rhythms. Pathologie Biologie. 62(5). 292-301. Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods. Oxford university press. Buss, J. (2012). Associations between obesity and stress and shift work among nurses. Workplace health & safety. 60(10). 453-458. Collis, J., & Hussey, R. (2013). Business research. Pan Macmillan. Esposito, E. M., & Fitzpatrick, J. J. (2011). Registered nurses beliefs of the benefits of exercise, their exercise behaviour and their patient teaching regarding exercise. International journal of nursing practice. 17(4). 351-356. Kim, M. J., Son, K. H., Park, H. Y., Choi, D. J., Yoon, C. H., Lee, H. Y., ... & Cho, M. C. (2013). Association between shift work and obesity among female nurses: Korean Nurses’ Survey. BMC public health. 13(1). 1204. Östlund, U., Kidd, L., Wengström, Y., & Rowa-Dewar, N. (2011). Combining qualitative and quantitative research within mixed method research designs: a methodological review. International journal of nursing studies. 48(3). 369-383. Persson, M. & Mårtensson, J. (2006). Situations influencing habits in diet and exercise among nurses working night shift. Journal of Nursing Management. 14(5). 414-423. Pickard, A. (2012). Research methods in information. Facet publishing. Powell, I. (2013). Can you see me? Experiences of nurses working night shift in Australian regional hospitals: a qualitative case study. Journal of advanced nursing. 69(10). 2172-2184. Read More