The Impact of Foot Ulceration on Health-Related Quality of Life - Essay Example

Critique Paper s Department Firth, J, Nelson, E.A, Briggs, M, and Gorecki, C. A qualitative study to explore the impact of foot ulceration on health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 48, 1401-1408. Critiquing Qualitative Research Study Critique This paper is a critique to an article written by Jill Firth, E. Andrea Nelson, Michelle Briggs, and Claudia Gorecki and published in 2011 titled: A qualitative study to explore the impact of foot ulceration on health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The fact that this article was a publication of the International Journal of Nursing Studies is a clear indication that it of great value or high quality. Any research published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies is highly regarded and trustworthy. Title Ingham-Broomfield (n.d: 104) argues that a title must not authenticate or even annul the investigation. Coughlan, Cronin, and Ryan (2007: 659) additionally points out that the title should be short in order not to misinform the readers. Based on these requirements, the title is succinct and clearly enlightens the reader on the issue under investigation. Subsequently, it also outlines the nature of the research i.e. it is a qualitative study hence giving a suggesting or expressing what the investigation is about (Ingham-Broomfield, n.d: 104). Abstract According to Coughlan, Cronin, and Ryan (2007: 659), an abstract ought to present a brief outline or synopsis of the research. In fact, Coughlan, Cronin, and Ryan (2007: 659-660) notes that an abstract ought to present "information regarding the purpose of the study, method, sample size and selection, the main findings and conclusions and recommendations". The article meets this purpose as it starts with an abstract outlining the sample size, data collection techniques used, technique of data analysis used, results of the research, and its implication. It is also worth noting that an abstract must clearly illustrate or elucidate the significance of the research (Coughlan, Cronin, and Ryan, 2007: 660). By denoting that the lack of methodical investigations and explorations relating to foot ulceration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and asserting that "the impact of the problem from the patient perspective is poorly understood", the authors outline the significance and relevance of the research. Research aims The aim of the research was indicated in the abstract and reiterated in the introduction. The aim is stated as "To explore the added impact of foot ulceration on health-related quality of life in non-diabetic patients with rheumatoid arthritis" (Firth et al, 2011: 1401). The projected aim or objective of the study must be stated clearly, and must include the problems or issues the study is seeking to speak to (Lee, 2006: 30). The authors of the article explicate what is already known in relation to the topic and what the study adds. Thus, this shows that the aim of the study clearly shows what the authors intend to investigate. Literature review According to Griffiths and Mooney (2012: 73), conducting a literature review is imperative in qualitative research as it forms the groundwork or basis for the study. In other words, a literature review shows what exactly has been covered by preceding investigations, and also helps the researcher identify loopholes in the literature provided (Griffiths and Mooney, 2012: 73). Based on the literature review conducted by the authors, it is clear that previous investigations have only focused on ulcerations in individuals with diabetes. In this regard, the authors are able to identify a loophole in terms of research relating to ulcerations in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. The literature review therefore gives a broad perspective of the topic and is pertinent to the study. To grasp the feelings of patients, it would be important to use construct that focus on the perspective of the participants. This research used health related quality of life as a construct hence the reader can allude the relevance of the study. The selection/Recruitment strategy A qualitative research design is used in this study. One of the key issues to note in the research design is the fact that participants were recruited until saturation was achieved (Firth et al, 2011: 1402). As explicated by Mason (2010: para. 2), the sample size used in s study must be sufficient in order to allow all aspects or issues being investigated to be collected. In addition, the sample size ought not to allow replication of information. Replication of information or data, as noted by Mason (Goldsmith, Bankhead, and Austoker, 2007 : 264), may render the results redundant. By stopping recruiting participants at the point where saturation is achieved, the authors have followed the principles of qualitative research to the letter. A purposive sampling technique is also used in the study. Purposeful sampling groups participants on the basis of their characteristics and hence forces the researchers to decisively evaluate all the factors or strictures of the study (Silverman, 2010: 193). Moreover, the authors elucidates the rationale employed in purposive sampling whereby the participants were grouped on the basis of age and gender (Firth et al, 2011: 1402). In doing so, the authors makes it possible for the readers to assess the sampling method and also appraise its suitability. Sample/Population and data collection methods The population or sample size used in the study, as outlined in the abstract, was 23 adults with rheumatoid arthritis. The sample size is clearly implied in the study. Sample size was determined by saturation. According to the article, data was collected through interviews conducted by the lead author. Shenton (2004: 72) asserts that there is a probability of biasness when a single interviewer is involved as he or she may focus on his or her preferences when asking questions. Therefore, the fact that only the lead author interviewed the participants could potentially have contributed to non-dependability of the data collected. Conversely, there is evidence of a structured interview in the article. For instance, the authors note that "Themes of exploration were incorporated into a theory driven topic guide" (Firth et al, 2011: 1402) and further goes ahead to outline the topics spelt out in the guide. It is also important to note that the authors do not go into detail to mention who did the audio recording and whether the person was adequately trained. This is because recordings ought to be capture various aspects of the interview such as the weight of information, speed, and quality of voice. The recorder should also comprehend what ought to be included in the recording and what should be discarded in order to ensure the validity of the information captured (Bailey, 2008: 128). Ethical considerations Observing ethical principles in qualitative research is imperative for the maintenance and promotion of the wellbeing of the participants or respondents (Stevens, 2013: n.p). The researchers in this article have ensures the welfare and interests off the participants are safeguarded. For instance, one of the inclusion criteria was the ability to give an informed consent (Firth et al, 2011: 1402). The researchers also received ethical approval from relevant accredited bodies. Firth et al (2011: 1407) brings forward the fact that ethical approval was acquired from the "Local Research Ethics Committee, and Research and Development approval was gained from study sites". Data analysis/ results/ findings and implications for practice A framework analysis was used to analyse the data from the study. This method of analysis according to Gale et al (2013: 1) involves organisation of data in to groups hence recapitulating of summarising the data. This summarization of data helps researchers in responding to their research question as it makes their work easier. Gale et al (2013: 2) also notes that the framework analysis technique is use for "thematic analysis of semi-structured interview transcripts" similar to what authors have used in their investigation. In this regard, the framework analysis technique is relevant to the study. The clarity of results is also prevalent all over the research presentation. The authors have achieved clarity through directly citing responses from the participants. For instance, the fear associated with pain was alluded from female 006 who responded that "I just cant walk; its too painful for walking. Its really painful" (Firth et al, 2011, 1404). Citing responses from the participants directly allows articulation of the social, economic, and psychological contexts of the research hence denoting the significance the study. The validity and precision of the results are achieved in the study as what is presented in terms of responses is first hand information from the participants. The findings from the study showed that rheumatoid arthritis affects negatively on all aspects of life such as individual disposition, feelings, socialisation, and physical obligations. Subsequently, the results showed that foot ulceration causes extra problems to the affected individual in terms of physical, social, and psychological aspects of life. Coughlan, Cronin, and Ryan (2007:662) asserts that the findings of a research must recount or communicate what was presented under the literature review in order to place the study in perspective. The literature review outlined that there is a loophole or gap in terms of information relating to leg ulceration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The findings proves this postulation hence the results are relevant to the study topic. In terms of implications to practice, the findings have achieved external validity or generalisability. For instance, the findings included the fact that pain contributes to a decrease in the level of physical activity. While physical activity as cited by Firth et al (2011: 1407) can improve individual health effects, it is also applicable in reducing other health related problems such as heart illnesses. Potential for bias Though there may be potential for bias, as mentioned earlier, due to the fact that only the lead author conducts the interviews, there was no conflict of interest declared (Firth et al, 2011: 1407). Therefore, the results and findings obtained from this study is impartial and thus can be trusted. Since, as noted by Firth et al (2011: 1402), similar research has not been conducted in this field, there is no way to evaluate or assess the accuracy of the findings through comparison. References Bailey, J. (2008) First steps in qualitative data analysis: Transcribing. Family Practice-An International Journal, 25(2), 127-131. Coughlan, M, Cronin, P, and Ryan, F. (2007) Step-by-step guide to critiquing research. Part 1: Quantitative research. British Journal of Nursing, 16(1), 658-663. Firth, J, Nelson, E.A, Briggs, M, and Gorecki, C. (2011) A qualitative study to explore the impact of foot ulceration on health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 48, 1401-1408. Gale, N.K, Heath, G, Cameron, E, Rashid, S, and Redwood, S. (2013) Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative data in multi-disciplinary health research. Medical Research Methodology, 13(117), 1-8. Goldsmith, M.R, Bankhead, C.R, and Austoker, J. (2007) Synthesizing quantitative and qualitative research in evidence-based patient information. Journal of Epidemiol Community Health, 61, 262-270. Griffiths, P, and Mooney, G. (eds.). (2012) The Paramedics Guide to Research: An Introduction, Berkshire: Open University Press. Ingham-Broomfield, R. (n.d) A nurses guide to the critical reading of research. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 26(1), 102-109. Lee, P. (2006) Understanding and critiquing qualitative research papers. Nursing Times, 102(29), 30-32. Mason, M. (2010) Sample Size and Saturation in PhD Studies Using Qualitative Interviews. Qualitative Social Research, 11(3), A4. Shenton, A.K. (2004) Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research projects. Education for Information, 22, 63-75. Silverman, D. (2010) Doing Qualitative Research, 3rd edition, London: Sage. Stevens, M. (2013) Ethical issues in qualitative research. Retrieved from http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/policy-institute/scwru/pubs/2013/conf/stevens14feb13.pdf Read More