Interventional Strategies to Decrease Nursing Student Anxiety - Research Proposal Example

Qualitative Research Appraisal Qualitative Research Appraisal Introduction The paper chosen for critique is a pilot study by van der Riet et al. (2015) exploring the implications of a seven-week stress management and mindfulness program that served as a learning support and a method of reducing stress among students studying nursing and midwifery. The pilot study by van der Riet et al. (2015) explored the implications of a stress management and mindfulness program in enhancing well-being among participants and necessity to enhance student resilience among first year students. Qualitative research explores human experiences or perceptions and presents findings in diverse formats based on conceptual models or theories as defined by Parahoo (2006). Based on that definition, the pilot study by van der Riet et al. (2015) can be categorized as qualitative research. Caldwell, Henshaw and Taylor (2005) articulate the need for a viable framework to critique research in health sciences. According to Caldwell, Henshaw and Taylor (2005) health care is a multi-disciplinary field and involves diverse approaches. Furthermore, there is a wide range of research conducted in health care field, hence the necessity for a workable framework for critique. The critique will adopt the framework by Ryan, Coughlan, and Cronin, (2007), as outlined in Lipp and Fothergill (2015). Ryan, Coughlan and Cronin (2007a, b) outline a two-section framework applied in the critique of qualitative research. The framework will be applicable to the study by van der Riet et al. (2015). Section one of the framework explores features that influence believability of the research. It includes the writing style, author, report title and abstract. Section two explores elements that show the robustness of the research. The section includes statement of the phenomenon of interest, the study’s significance, literature review, theoretical framework, sample, ethical considerations during the research, data collection and analysis, findings and discussion, conclusion and references. Appraisal of the research by van der Riet et al. (2015) Section One: Believability of the Research Writing style The research is well-written and concise. Grammar use in the research is standard and plausible. There is no use of jargons in the language. The language is academic and serves well to communicate aspects of the research to readers. Its organization is great and conforms to conventional standards of research layouts. It has sub-sections that articulate different aspects of the study. Authors The authors should possess credible educational background in the area under study (Ryan, Coughlan & Cronin, 2007). The research is a work by five authors and all have credible educational backgrounds on the area of study. Pamela van der Riet is the deputy head of the school of nursing and midwifery at the University of Newcastle, Australia. She is the deputy head of the faculty of health and medicine. Based on her biography, she has broad experience in nursing and nurse education (University of Newcastle, 2015). She holds a PhD from James Cook University. She has a Master of Education from University of New England. She attained a Bachelor of Arts (Social Science) at La Trobe University. She attained Diploma in Nurse Education at Lincoln College of Health Sciences. She has extensive expertise in research, teaching and administration. The second author, Rachel Rossiter, is a staff at the school of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Newcastle. She equally has extensive knowledge in nursing. Dianne Kirby, the third author, serves at the University counselling service as the clinical leader counselling, University of Newcastle. She has advance knowledge in the field of nursing. Ms. Teresa Dluzewska serves at the University of Newcastle in the position of a senior counsellor. Dr. Charles Harmon serves a lecturer at the university’s school of nursing and midwifery, faculty of health and medicine. Based on their biographies, the authors display extensive expertise in the fields of nursing and counselling. Hence, qualified professionals in the field of the study authored the research. Report title The title of the report is precise and expresses various aspects of the study. It features the study’s aim and participants. It applies descriptive terms that precisely highlight the central issues of the research. Abstract The abstract features a precise overview of the research (Ryan, Coughlan & Cronin, 2007). It expresses the background of the study and further stipulates its central objective. The abstract states the setting of the study being a large university in Australia and the participants as first-year undergraduate students in nursing and midwifery. Furthermore, the abstract shows the method and design utilized in the research. It provides a summary of the study’s results and conclusions. Section Two: Robustness of the Research Statement of the phenomenon of the interest According to Ryan, Coughlan and Cronin (2007), the researcher should clealrly identify the topic under study. van der Riet et al. (2015) highlight the increase in stress levels and incidences of mental health among Australian university students’ population a serious concern. They derive their reasoning from other studies including that by Stallman and Shochet (2009). Stallman and Shochet (2009) conducted a study on the prevalence of mental health complications among Australian University students. Furthermore, van der Riet et al. (2015) hint that there is an identified high stress level among undergraduate nursing students compared to their counterparts in other undergraduate programs. Their viewpoint is supported by a study conducted by Cleary et al. (2012) on mental health behaviors amongst nursing students pursuing undergraduate programs. Particularly, undergraduate nursing students are susceptible to stressors that emanate from university enrolment as supported by Watson et al. (2009). van der Riet et al. (2015) conclude that the outlined research findings prompt the necessity to improve resilience and wellbeing among undergraduate nursing students. They, therefore, intend to study the implications of stress control and mindfulness among that population of Australian university students. The statement of phenomenon of the study’s interest, therefore, is precise. The study’s purpose or significance The researcher should always justify the reason to undertake the study as stated by Ryan, Coughlan and Cronin (2007). The study is significant in promoting resilience among students and supports their wellbeing. It helps improve stress management and wellbeing among undergraduate nursing students in Australia. It used a pilot project through a seven-week program to promote stress management among the study’s participants. The pilots study identifies factors that contribute to high levels of stress among undergraduate nursing students. It promotes attendance to self-challenge among Australian undergraduate nursing students. It further promotes attendance to others and challenges that they face when pursing their programs. The study, therefore, is highly significant to the participants. Literature review A literature review provides prominent themes of the study, theoretical or conceptual framework and discuss past works done on the area under research (Ryan, Coughlan & Cronin, 2007). van der Riet et al. (2015) present a comprehensive review of researches on the topic under study. The review outlines diverse factors that promote the high level of stress among participants in the study. Furthermore, the review highlights additional challenges that promote the phenomenon. Other students face the challenge of low socio-economic backgrounds. Some also face the challenge of desire to succeed as the pioneer family member to attend university. Another challenge addressed by van der Riet et al. (2015) is the difficulty of supporting the family, coupled with its financial challenges. Having been from a low socio-economic background places the participants in situations during which they have low levels of self-care knowledge. They, therefore, depict diminished capacity to respond to stressful conditions. Furthermore, the need to undertake a practicum adds stress on participants already experiencing challenges of coping with challenges of education. van der Riet et al. (2015) justify their viewpoints by the recent research conducted on the topic. The research by Moscaritolo (2009) is of significant importance in emphasizing the interventions required to help address the conditions. Interventions aimed to helping the students respond to stressors and recognize the importance of mindfulness as a central strategy to manage stress. van der Riet et al. (2015) highlight studies by Kabat-Zinn (2003) and Escuriex and Labbé (2011) to emphasize the effectiveness of proposed intervention strategy. In addition, emphasis is in the literature by McCown (2013) and White (2014) that recognize the inclusion of mindfulness in clinical practice as a measure to assist individuals experiencing mental illnesses and challenges related to stress. The literature review also highlights the benefits and psychological importance of mindfulness as the key remedy proposed as emphasized by Fang et al., (2010). Based on the analysis, the literature review fulfills the study’s philosophical underpinnings. It fulfils the interest of the study. Study design In qualitative research, design entails the diverse approaches applied (Ryan, Coughlan & Cronin, 2007). The design is identified in the research as qualitative. van der Riet et al. (2015) applied a semi-structured interview to the focus group that lasted for 60 minutes when collecting data. Ethical considerations Because interviews are the most common methods applied to collect data in qualitative studies, participants’ identities must always remain secretive. That constitute a critical ethical consideration in all research (Ryan, Coughlan & Cronin (2007). In the study, the research team acquired ethical approval from the ethics committee at the University of Newcastle before initiating the program. Sampling Participants in a qualitative study, often, are recruited based on their experience with the phenomenon researched (Ryan, Coughlan & Cronin 2007). They form the sample. Participants in the study are identified as first year undergraduate nursing and midwifery students. The study, however, excluded students in their second and third years. The study outlines the recruitment method for the students. van der Riet et al. (2015) recruited the students through flyers and e-mails targeted to the students in the focus group. All participants consented to participate in focus group interviews conducted by the researchers. The population of students recruited for the study is well stated. van der Riet et al. (2015) recruited fourteen first year students. However, only ten among the fourteen selected for the study completed it and attended the focus interview groups. However, the participants’ in the research are identified as having been irregular on their attendance to focus group interviews during the seven weeks of the program. Only one among the ten students attended all the sessions. That renders the robustness of the study questionable based on lack of full participation by the students. Participation in the research was not vigorous. The participation is not appropriate to warrant conclusions in the results. Data collection The researcher should justify the rationale for the choice of data collection method applied in the study as explained by Ryan, Coughlan and Cronin (2007). The data collection methods and procedures are well articulated in the research study. Information on the experience of students was gathered two weeks after the end of seven-week program through interviews with the focus groups for 60 minutes. The recorded interview was robust and conducted by two researchers who had not interacted with the students during the program. van der Riet et al. (2015) used an interview schedule that is provided in the study as a template. According to van der Riet et al. (2015), participants were highly responsive during the interview. Hence, the data collection method was robust and responsive to the objectives. In addition, the data collection method applied meets the philosophical underpinnings of the research. Data Analysis Data analysis procedure is important in gauging the trustworthiness of the research findings and, therefore, should be well illustrated by the researcher in qualitative studies (Ryan, Coughlan & Cronin, 2007).The method of data analysis is well articulated in the research. The interview was transcribed to ensure accurate analysis of the participants’ contributions. Analysis was based on thematic content of the research, independently utilized by two members of the research team. Thematic analysis done during the research involved identification of selected variables and subsequent coding based on the different categories of ideas identified. The method is applicable and effective in data analysis during qualitative research as supported by Kermode (2004). The two independent researchers harmonized the themes identified followed by a robust discussion with the research team, cross-checking with all records and transcribed interviews. In an attempt to ensure the data is reliable, research team members further conducted a careful audit. Strategies of data analysis applied in the research were robust, extensive and followed subsequent steps. Conclusively, data saturation was attained. Rigour In qualitative studies, there should be constructed relationships between vriables under investigations as explained by Ryan, Coughlan and Cronin (2007). Except for the low participation by the students during the focus group interviews that was irregular and inconsistent, other aspects of the research were rigorous. Findings and discussion Findings of the study may be represented in different formats such as description of the phenomenon under study (Ryan, Coughlan & Cronin, 2007). van der Riet et al. (2015) present the research findings appropriately. Remarkably, they place the research in the context of the phenomenon already known. They have adequately addressed the original purpose of the research. In the findings, there were three major themes based on analysis of transcriptions. The researchers extensively discuss all the themes. Attending to self is the first theme. van der Riet et al. (2015) analyse the theme based on its definition by Pincuss (2006). Within the theme, research team members identified concerns such as self-awareness, self-management, focusing on study and being present. The second theme was attending to others, within which there was no other sub-themes were applicable. Attending to the program on stress management and meditation was the third theme. Researchers identified key sub-themes as practicing between sessions, challenges that influenced their attending and improving the program. Conclusively, the researchers have well outlined the study’s findings. On the discussions, van der Riet et al. (2015) state a conclusive statement that summarizes the phenomenon. The study ascertained that starting a nursing degree for first year undergraduate students evokes an increase in the levels of stress and challenges among students. Their assertion is justified by findings of Beddoe and Murphy (2004) and Cleary et al. (2012). Conclusion The conclusions should contextualize the research and show the extent to which information provided is of interest (Ryan, Coughlan & Cronin (2007). The conclusion is comprehensive in emphasizing the implications of research findings. Research team members recommend the development and applications of identified research findings. In essence, the stress reduction program was effective in helping students adopt increased concentration and clarity of their thoughts. References According to Ryan, Coughlan and Cronin (2007), there should be an accurate list of all literature used in the study under the reference list. van der Riet et al. (2015) uses relevant works of literature to inform their study and develop the framework. References are a blend of books and peer-reviewed journals. All are well referenced in the paper. Bibliography Beddoe, A. E., & Murphy, S. O 2004, Does mindfulness decrease stress and foster empathy among nursing students?, The Journal of nursing education, vol. 43, Is. 7, pp. 305-312. Caldwell, K., Henshaw, L., & Taylor, G 2005, Developing a framework for critiquing health research, Journal of Health, Social and Environmental Issues, vol. 6, Iss. 1, pp.45-54. Cleary, M., Horsfall, J., Baines, J., & Happell, B 2012, Mental health behaviours among undergraduate nursing students: Issues for consideration, Nurse Education today, vol. 32, Iss. 8, pp. 951-955. Escuriex, B. F., & Labbé, E. E 2011, Health care providers’ mindfulness and treatment outcomes: A critical review of the research literature, Mindfulness, vol. 2, Iss. 4, pp. 242-253. Kabat‐Zinn, J 2003, Mindfulness‐based interventions in context: past, present, and future, Clinical psychology: Science and practice, vol. 10, Iss. 2, pp. 144-156. Kermode, S 2004, Getting Started in Health Research, 2nd ed. Pearson, Sydney. Lipp, A., & Fothergill, A 2015, A guide to critiquing a research paper. Methodological appraisal of a paper on nurses in abortion care, Nurse Education Today, vol. 35, pp. e14-e17. McCown, D 2013, The Ethical Space of Mindfulness in Clinical Practice: An Exploratory Essay, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London. Moscaritolo, L. M 2009, Interventional strategies to decrease nursing student anxiety in the clinical learning environment, Journal of nursing education, vol. 48, pp.17-23. Parahoo, K 2006, Qualitative research. In K. Parahoo. Nursing research: principles, process and issues. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 62-85. Pincus, J 2006, Teaching self-care. Paper presented at the meeting of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association on the Ethics Educators Conference, Hardsburg, PA. Ryan, F., Coughlan, M., & Cronin, P 2007, Step-by-step guide to critiquing research. Part 1: Qualitative research, British Journal of Nursing, vo. 16, Iss. 11, pp. 658–663. Ryan, F., Coughlan, M., & Cronin, P 2007, Step-by-step guide to critiquing research. Part 2: Qualitative research, British Journal of Nursing, vol. 16, Iss. 12, pp. 738-745. Stallman, H. M., & Shochet, I 2009, Prevalence of mental health problems in Australian university health services, Australian Psychologist, vol. 44. Iss. 2, pp.122-127. University of Newcastle 2015, Associate Professor Pamela van der Riet. Retrieved 2015, May 31 from https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/pamela-vanderriet van der Riet, P., Rossiter, R., Kirby, D., Dluzewska, T., & Harmon, C 2015, Piloting a stress management and mindfulness program for undergraduate nursing students: Student feedback and lessons learned, Nurse education today, vol. 35, Iss. 1, vol. 44-49. Watson, R., Gardiner, E., Hogston, R., Gibson, H., Stimpson, A., Wrate, R., & Deary, I 2009, A longitudinal study of stress and psychological distress in nurses and nursing students, Journal of Clinical Nursing, vol. 18, Iss. 2, pp. 270-278. White, L 2014, Mindfulness in nursing: An evolutionary concept analysis, Journal of advanced nursing, vol. 70, Iss. 2, pp. 282-294. Read More