Nursing Student Experience of Clinical Practice - Essay Example

Qualitative Nursing Research Qualitative Nursing Research A Qualitative Study of Nursing Experience of Clinical Practice The article contains a qualitative study that aimed at finding out the experiences of nursing students in their clinical practices. The information was collected using focus groups where students gave their opinions. The results of the study indicated that clinical experience is vital in nursing education. It is necessary to compare the article with quantitative articles and describe the components of qualitative processes. Comparison between the Article and Quantitative Articles Differences There are many differences between the qualitative study and quantitative articles. One of the differences is that the data gathering method used in this article is different from approaches used in quantitative researches. For instance, the common methods of data collection in quantitative articles were questionnaires, experiments and surveys. In addition, the questions in the questionnaires and surveys are usually structured quantitatively (Sharif & Masoimi, 2005). For instance, most of the questions are structured in a way that researchers can quantify the results. On the contrary, the method of data collection used in the qualitative article is the focus group. The information was obtained through interaction with the study subjects. Unlike the quantitative studies, this article’s aim was to find out the subjects points of view that cannot be generalized. Another difference between this article and quantitative articles is the analysis of results. The results in most quantitative research articles are usually summarized numerically. However, the results in this article are descriptive in nature. For instance, researchers have explained the perception of the nursing students. The students’ perceptions cannot be quantified. In addition, sample size used in this article is smaller compared to the sample size found in quantitative research articles. This study only used 90 participants from one University (Sharif & Masoimi, 2005). The sampling methods used in quantitative articles were also random. However, in this article the respondents were not selected randomly. Similarities This article also has some similarities with quantitative articles. One of the similarities is that this article has research questions just like quantitative studies. For instance, the main research question was to find out whether or not clinical experience is vital for nursing students in this study. The other similarity one can notice in this article is that it has a problem statement that explains the background of the problem. All studies whether qualitative or quantitative should have background information that explains the reasons for the study. In addition, just like quantitative articles this article has a research plan. For instance, it contains questions which guide a researcher during the data collection processes. The other similarity is that this article is action oriented. For example, after reading the quantitative studies the conclusion parts indicated that the results were meant to influence policies of certain procedures. In this article, the conclusion part shows that the researchers intent to influence the nursing education policies so that all nursing students undergo clinical trainings. The other similarity is that this article contains a data analysis section just like the quantitative articles even though the data analysis methods differ. Components of the Qualitative Process Research Design One of the components of qualitative processes includes the research design. This part of the qualitative process allows researchers to identify what they will be focusing on in the study. This part also involves framing of research questions and conceptual framework (LoBiondo-Wood, 2013). Problem Statement The other component of the process is the problem statement provides background information of the problem that a researcher intends to solve. This part of the study explains how a problem affects a specific population and its gravity. In this component of the process, researchers always try to convince the audience why the study is necessary. Research Methods In this section researchers explain the methods used in collecting information from a population. The common methods used in most qualitative studies include interviews and focus groups. Researchers also describe the targeted population and the sample of the population. Sampling methods used are usually explained in this part. In qualitative studies, the sampling methods are not usually random since researchers only want to find out certain social aspects. In addition, the sizes of samples used in qualitative studies are usually smaller since the results are not meant for generalization purposes. It is difficult to use large sample sizes with the methods of data collection used in qualitative processes. The research method section also contains description of data analysis methods. The process involves explaining how the results obtained in the study were interpreted based on research questions. Results The researchers simply report their findings in the results part of the process. In qualitative studies, the results are usually reported in descriptive ways and not numerically like in quantitative studies. Discussion Researchers usually interpret the results in the discussion section. They also explain weather the research questions were answered effectively in the study. The findings are also explained descriptively in qualitative studies. Conclusion part Researchers usually explain the relevance of the study in the conclusion part of qualitative studies. The researcher also illustrates how the study influences various aspects. They should also explain the limitations of the study and give recommendation for future studies. Preferable article I prefer to read quantitative research articles because the information collected are usually summarized in numerical values. It means that it is easier to understand or relate variables in quantitative studies. Some theories used in qualitative studied for result interpretation are difficult to understand. I also prefer quantitative studies because the results obtained can be generalized. In addition, the results obtained are usually credible and reliable because the huge sample sizes are used. Qualitative results are also trustworthy since random sampling is used in selecting respondents. This means that researchers are able to avoid bias selection of study participants. Statistical results are also more accurate compared to descriptive results. The accuracy of the results is usually influenced by the data collection methods. The results given by respondents in quantitative methods are not significantly influenced researchers compared to qualitative research methods. Conclusion Some parts of this qualitative study are different from quantitative studies. The data gathering process and analysis methods used in the article are different from quantitative articles. The method used in collecting information in the article is focus group. The article also has similar components with quantitative studies. For instance, just like quantitative article, the qualitative article has research questions and a problem statement. References LoBiondo-Wood, G. (2013). Nursing research: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence- based practice. New York, NY: Elsevier publishers. Sharif, F. & Masoumi, S. (2005). A qualitative study of nursing student experiences of clinical practice. BioMed Central Nursing, 4 (6). Retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6955/4/6#sec2 Read More