Critique of Research Article: Walking with Another - Assignment Example

CRITIQUE OF RESEARCH ARTICLE: WALKING WITH ANOTHER Abstract Analysis of the abstract in the article-walking with another- shows that the aim of the research has been clearly illustrated. The authors start by saying that workforce shortages are quite common in the nursing profession. This statement is quite true because analysis of nursing profession shows that it is commonly faced by challenges of nurses leaving the profession. In most cases they just look for greener pastures. (Mills, Bonner, and Francis, 2008) Mentoring has been cited to be one of the solutions to this shortage. The authors assert that aim of the research article was to investigate experience that rural nurses had of mentoring. This statement shows that the authors centred their research only on the rural nurses. If the main issue was about shortages of workforce in the nursing profession, then it was expected that both rural and urban nurses would be considered. This is considering that the authors assert that this is a global problem in the profession. This is also a true statement that many countries experience these workforce shortages. There are countries that however face higher shortages compared to others. In the abstract, the authors mention of the constructivist theory and slightly explain it. It is mentioned that seven rural nurses from Australia were interviewed. It is further explained that two nurses were interviewed twice. The authors however do not illustrate in the abstract how the seven or the two were chosen. This should have been included. The authors show that in the research a mentoring process was identified. In this case it had two stages. One of it being -knowing of a stranger and the next about how senior and experienced nurses walk with others. This is explained as part of mentoring in nursing profession. Generally the abstract has most of the important aspects included. Introduction The introduction is well structured as it explains the aim of the research. In this case the authors assert that they aim to explore nursing experiences in mentoring others. This is especially for rural nurses. The authors assert that the issue of lack of workforce in rural nurses in Australia is quite rampant. They further explain various factors that play a big role in this shortage. The authors cite distance, isolation of rural based nurses, few educational opportunities, large percentage of aging nurses and those who are skilled look for greener pastures. This is quite true and the authors have basically shown very important factors that play a big role in reduced workforce among rural nurses. The authors say that this problem would be eliminated through mentoring. (Firtko, 2005) There is an explanation of mentoring. This is a very long definition that would have otherwise been shortened and simplified. The authors say that they carried out literature review about mentoring. The authors fail to write more about mentors and mentees but only mention about literature review. This information should have been included and specifically relating to the nursing profession. In this stage it was expected that the authors would clearly illustrate the various hypotheses that they were basing their research on. This was not carried out. Method Research design The authors structured their research design on constructivist theory. This indicates that the authors had an already preset mind about the research and the findings. The authors also say that they based their research on both evolved and traditional methods. This is not enough and they really needed to make it clear what the evolved and traditional methods were rather than assuming that they are obvious. They say that both methods would be used in analysis and also data collection. In many cases, evolved methods would be more accurate than traditional ones. Therefore there was no point of using both traditional and evolved methods if the evolved ones are reliable. The authors further explain that the research was based on the constructivist theory. According to their explanation, the theory states that researchers in most cases don’t seek to uncover a truth. The theory further elaborates that people can actually come up with their own facts relying on their personal experiences. In this case the researchers then draw conclusions based on the individual’s experiences. The question here is -what if the participants give false information? What if the participants give contradictory information? Then how do they draw conclusions from the information? These limitations have not been expounded by the authors. (Francis, 2002) This is considering the fact that participants or interviewees sometimes may be influenced by various factors to give specific information. Then this would not result in true information that can be relied on. There is further explanation that the research design is interpretive in nature. This puts in mind the issue that one can choose to interpret information the way he or she wants. The authors do not show strategies to ensure that the information collected is not interpreted according to how one person views it. Sample/participant The authors say that seven Australian nurses were interviewed concerning mentoring in their profession. This number is not sufficient for one to draw conclusions concerning the topic. The authors also say that two of the nurses were interviewed twice. The authors say that this was carried out to enhance saturation of data and therefore good for conceptualisation of hypotheses. The paper clearly illustrates that a nationwide advertising was carried out. The authors do not clearly state the specific media used to advertise. This should have been included. It is written in the article that the nurses carried out self identification. This was not sufficient because anyone for that matter would have claimed that they were rural nurses when they weren’t. (Gibb, 2004) The authors also say that those participants present also recruited other nurses that they knew. This is not clear because the authors don’t say how many nurses recruited those they knew. This also means that since the nurses knew each other, they were likely to be from the same area therefore making the information accrued biased. The authors seem not to have ensured that the participants were from diverse rural set ups in Australia. They need to have clearly included this information to show that it was dependable. The authors need to have made it clear on how many nurses turned up after the advertisement. This is because it was expected that more than enough rural nurses would have turned up if at all the advertisement carried out was nationwide. The article illustrates that theoretical sampling was carried out to choose the two nurses who were interviewed twice. This method should have further been explained to make it clear to the reader. Data collection The research article about walking with another- shows that data collected from rural nurses in Australia was only collected through interviews. The method is good in that the interviewers are able to ask the respondents for clarity of information. It would have however been very good if other methods of data collection were also incorporated in the study. The use of other methods like questionnaires would have enabled to accrue information from nurses in many different places. This would have been advantageous in the sense that they would not have left their duties to attend the interview. It is clear that personal interviews were carried out with individuals but the authors do not clearly state the number of interviewers and whether they were competent enough or not. This information should have been included in the article. The authors mention later on in the article that secondary sources were also used in the research. This should have been clear in the abstract that secondary sources were used in the research. (Gibb, 2006) Data analysis Data analysis is usually a very important step in any research. Critical analysis of the article- walking with another- shows that various methods of data analysis were incorporated. The authors assert that the study used comparative analysis. There is also the use of concurrent analysis of information in the study. The authors also mention the use an analysis that is line by line based. This was especially carried out in the first two transcripts of interviews. The authors need to have explained why the line by line analysis was incorporated for the first two transcripts only. The writers also need to have explained a little bit about comparative and concurrent analysis that was used in the study. This would have given readers clear picture of methods used and thereby make information more reliable than merely mention that they were used. (Gibson, 2005) The author’s further say that codes were identified and therefore used in comparisons. These codes need to have briefly been illustrated. There was also use of situational maps in both the analysis and data generation phases or stages. The authors should have included an example of a situational map in the appendix to give the reader a vivid picture. It is quite apparent that computer based analysis was used. The authors make it clear that special software called Textual Mark-up was used. Results The findings of the study are shown in two main stages. The first stage is whereby rural nurses are strangers to each other. At this stage each of them tries to know the other nurse who is a stranger to them. In this stage the authors say that there is mentoring that occurs accidentally. This article states that it is the experienced nurse who initiates a relationship. This is not always the case in all relationships. The authors should have said that mostly the experienced nurses initiate the relationships but the new, inexperienced nurses sometimes do initiate them too. This is especially when they seek advice on how to carry out various tasks that are assigned to them which probably they have never done. The writers further say that if the two have common interests and values, then the relationship can be sustained. The authors also say that there are times when the relationship between the two stops at this stage. The authors need to have included that the way the experienced nurse approaches and also continually communicates to the inexperienced nurse plays a big role in the sustenance of the relationship. The authors explain that the second phase of the relationship is referred to as one nurse walking with the other. The writers say that when the mentor and nurse being mentored. (Glaser, 1978) The authors say that the mentor has the role of putting in mind the experiences of the mentee. The nurse can also use good language to speak about his or her experiences. These aspects have been well handled by the authors. In the findings, the authors illustrate that mentor nurses play their role as good role models and giving the mentee a good environment to express him or herself. In the walk mostly nurses become critical friends to the mentee. Through this walk, the mentee and mentors get to have open communication. The results have been adequately and effectively put across such that the reader can understand the aspects that sustain the relationship between the mentor and the mentee. The authors assert that the relationship with time shifts and the boundaries are redefined. The relationship then shifts and becomes more of partnership based. There is further elaboration that at some point the relationship is illustrated to be directed by the mentee. The authors fail to explain how this occurs and whether the mentor accepts this change of roles willingly or unwillingly. The authors also say that toxic relationships don’t last for long. The nurse chat has also been illustrated in the article. The nurse chat is shown to be part of communication in relationships that are mentorship based. The chat is known to progress from simplicity to complex communication. The authors have clearly illustrated the type of communication by giving examples. This makes it very easy for the reader to know what exactly is being passed across. (Glaser, 1978) The information explained in the article that the communication between the mentee and mentor nurses is a two way traffic is quite true. Analysis of the information explained in the findings merely explains what happens between the mentee and mentors. The authors do not further explain how the issue of mentorship helps in reducing workforce shortages in rural areas. The information provided in the article-walking with another- is not in any way unique to rural nurses it is quite general to all nurses and more so all humanity in accordance to the issue of relationships and mentorship. It was therefore quite imperative for the authors to accrue information that is more than obvious. Discussion Critical analysis of the discussion on the study shows that there is typically no need for the authors to say that further research is needed on the issue of nurse chat. This is considering the fact that the nurse chat simply mirrors what normally occurs in other day to day communication even among non-professionals. (Parker, and Greg, 1992) It is also quite obvious that the nurse chat is not only unique to rural nurses but applies to all the rest including those working in urban areas. The entire discussion is mainly based on the nurse chat. It would have been better for the authors to discuss more about mentorship nursing in rural areas. This would have included the issue of age differences between mentors and mentees. In this case are the mentors always older than the mentees. What exactly happens in rural nursing facilities in terms of mentorship? Are the mentors chosen by the mentees or rather who chooses the other? This article should have illustrated whether the relationships between mentors and mentees are formal or informal. This could also have included whether the two normally have more than one mentees and mentors respectively. The roles of the mentors and mentees in sustenance of these nursing relationships should have been clearly explained and not just the mentor’s only. The implication of this study is that people could use this information to develop mentorship relationships. This is especially in the nursing profession. Just like the authors assert that further research is indeed needed in the area of nurse chat. (Parker, 1992) This could spur further research from other scholars that are interested in the topic. A recommendation for this article is that it would therefore have tried to link the issue of nursing workforce shortages and mentorship. This is in the sense of how mentorship reduces nursing workforce shortages. This is especially in the rural areas. This would help concerned stakeholders in the nursing profession to maximise on the issue of mentorship and even train nurses on how they can be better mentors. Application and interpretation of literature The literature in this study is highly applicable in nursing sector. This is mostly to people in managing health facilities and the nurses themselves. The literature is more of self explanatory. This information applied by nurses can help them enhance mentorship relationships at their workplaces. Through this they will be able to initiate, sustain and effectively conclude mentorship relationships. This is through the use of proper communication techniques. The knowledge that mentors play a role in such relationship sustenance can help them strive to see these relationships working. The information in the article can also help managers and recruiters of nurses to ensure that there are always enough people within the set up that act as mentors to the new nurses. (Payne, 2000) Conclusion In conclusion, the article- walking with another had the aim of exploring nurses’ mentorship relationships. This was basically in relation to the nurses that were rural based. The study did not use a good method of sampling as it is not clear whether the nurses sampled were only from one rural set up. It is also quite insufficient when it is said that the nurses merely carried out self identification. The researchers would have liaised with various healthcare based institutions to get the nurses. Only the interview method was used to collect information. Other methods like questionnaires would also have been used. The authors used various methods of data analysis which is a plus on the work. They would have however included an appendix on some of methods used including situational maps. This would make the information clearer to the reader. The discussion does not give a lot of information but rather majors on the issue of nurse chats that are rather obvious. This information accrued is also not just specific to the rural nurses only. The article needed to explain more on the issue of mentorship nursing in rural facilities. This is including issues of who between the mentor and the mentee chooses the other. Are these relationships formal or informal? This also includes whether one mentee in rural nursing has more than one mentor and whether the mentors too have more than one mentee. The authors would have further explained how the issue of mentorship helps in reducing nursing workforce shortages in rural setups. Words- 2811 Reference: Firtko, A., (2005): Understanding mentoring and preceptorship; Clarifying the quagmire. Contemporary Nurse 19; 32–40 Francis, K. (2002): Action on Nursing in Rural and Remote Areas Recommendations and Action Plan; Canberra: National Rural Health Alliance Gibb, H. (2004): Developing support for remote nursing education through workplace culture that values learning; Australian Journal of Rural Health 12; 201–205 Gibb, H. (2006): Culture of rural nursing practice: a critical theoretical analysis of determinants of power in nursing; Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing 23; 34–39 Gibson, T. (2005): Mentoring for nurses in general practice; an Australian study, Journal of Inter-professional Care 19; 50–62 Glaser, B. (1978): Theoretical Sensitivity; Advance in the Methodology of Grounded Theory. Mill valley: Sociology press Mills, J., Bonner, A. and Francis, K. (2008): Mentoring matters; developing rural nurses knowledge and skills; Collegian 13 Parker, J. (1992): The silent and the silencing of the nurse’s voice; a reading of patient progress notes; The Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing 9; 3–9 Parker, J. and Greg, Y. (1992) Handover: the collective narrative of nursing practice; The Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing 9; 31–37 Payne, S. (2000): Interactions between nurses during handovers in elderly care; Journal of Advanced Nursing 32; 277–285 Read More