QUALITATIVE LITERATURE CRITIQUE WORKSHEET
TITLE AND ABSTRACT
Title
Was the title a good one, concise but informative?
The title of the study had been able to show the understandable picture of the whole content of the study, in short but interesting manner. According to Holloway & Wheeler (2002), the title must be concise but informative, and sound interesting but not facetious. Furthermore, it must contain the essence of a qualitative study in nursing and give clear but succinct picture of the contents of the study (p. 268; Speziale & Carpenter 2006, p. 259).
Abstract
Does the abstract clearly and concisely summarize the main features of the report?
The abstract that had been presented at the beginning of the paper gives the reader the summary of the research that gives short explanation regarding the entire content of the article such as the goal, background, methodology, conclusion as well as its connection to the field of nursing. That is the reason why it can be considered as a good abstract because according to Holloway & Wheeler (2002), the abstract give the readers with the quick overview of the research question, aim, methods adopted and main results of the study (p. 269). Furthermore, the abstract is also concise, following the standard word count between 150 to 300 words (Holloway & Wheeler 2002, p. 269; Burns & Grove 2005, p. 5).
LITERATURE REVIEW
Is the literature review adequate? Does it summarize the existing body of knowledge related to the phenomenon of interest and inform about the gap in the knowledge it intends to fill and lay a solid foundation of the study?
The Literature Review of the study can be considered as a good one, because it had been able to show the different existing body of knowledge and researches and studies that had been done and undertaken prior to the actual implementation of the study (Daniels 2003, p. 119). This can be seen in different authors and studies that had been mentioned in the study starting from the year 1982 to 2004. According to Helen & Carpenter (2006), a good starting point for the literature review is to identify the most significant works that had been published regarding the selected subject or topic (p. 260; Macnee 2008, p. 28). In addition, the literature review of the study shows the most significant and famous studies regarding the topic, from the first studies up to the recent, as well as the methodology and processes that had been implemented. According to Holloway & Wheeler 2002, it is important in a qualitative reports not use every piece of known research in the field, nor to give critical review of all the literature but only the main pertinent studies including classic and most recent study, together with the methodological approaches and procedures that were used for them (p. 270; Taylor & Roberts 2006, p. 90). Due to the said description and review regarding the past studies and researches regarding the paper, it had been able to gain insights regarding the human experiences, thus helped to broaden understanding of a research problem, illustrate a point, demonstrate a need for research, or describe aspects of clinical practice (Polit & Beck 2004, p. 90; McEwen & Wills 2007, p. 229). Above all, the literature review had been able to show the gap in the knowledge that intends to be filled by the current study. The gaps in the knowledge become apparent due to the collection of different studies, thus, the research question had been linked to the literature. That is the reason why at the end of the literature review, the reader will have no doubt that the research can meet the research aim (Holloway & Wheeler 2002, pp. 270 – 271).
METHODOLOGY
Sample and Setting
Was the setting and sample described in sufficient detail?
The sample and setting aspects of the study have been described in sufficient detail. It had been able to show and describe the settings of the study, from the place and organization that are involve, together with the information regarding the programs and sessions that are needed in the study, together with the duration of time. In qualitative research, the purposive sample is not fixed from the beginning. Concept rather than people are sampled. It is important to describe the informants, who they were, how many were chosen and the reason for the choices. It is also important to tell the readers regarding how the samples were obtained, and describe the setting in which the study took place. Furthermore, the inclusion of theoretical sampling must also be explained (Holloway & Wheeler 2002, p. 271).
Was the approach used to gain access to the site or to recruit participants appropriate?
The study did not show the approach that had been used in order to gain access to the site or the setting of the study. But it had been able to show the organization that is primarily involved in the said setting and the aspects that are related to it. On the other hand, the approach that had been used in accessing the participant was stated, by describing whether the participants were advertised on a notice board or approaches the potential participants personally (Holloway & Wheeler 2002, p. 271). The process of gaining access to the recruit participants can be considered as appropriate because it had been able to get their permission from the Research Ethics Committee. Furthermore, it had also followed the ethical issues and consideration because, they are letting other participants to quit in the study if they desire.
Data Collection Analysis
Where data management and data analysis methods sufficiently described? Was the data analysis strategy compatible with the research tradition and with the nature and type of the data gathered?
The data analysis needs to be explained, including the different aspects on how the data were coded and categorized, as well as how theoretical construct were generated from the data (Holloway & Wheeler 2002, p. 273). It is the process where in the data that had been gathered is broken down, analyzed, compared and conceptualized and categorized (Jacelon & O’Dell 2005, p. 217).In the case of the study, the process and method that had been used in the data management and data analysis as well as the categorization, as well as the sub-categories of the experiences of the patients, were properly identified and explained (Thompson & McCaughan 2004, p. 16). Furthermore, it can be seen the strategy that had been used in the data analysis was compatible with the tradition of the research, as well as the nature and type of the data that had been gathered. Furthermore, the overall data collection and analysis of the study focuses on the process of discovering and investigating the views and opinions of the participants regarding their experiences about the subject by the process of narrative interview method, and by the qualitative content analysis in identifying the different categories (Hagren et al 2005, pp. 249 – 295; Vishnevsky & Beanlands 2004, p.234).
Was data collected in a manner that minimized bias or behavioral distortions?
The collection process of the study can be said as sufficient because during the process of the interview, the participants were asked for the clarification and comments regarding their answer. By doing this, it helped to reduces misinterpretation that can contribute to credibility of the result of the study.
Was a sufficient amount of data gathered? Was the data of sufficient depth and richness?
The final sample is considered as small, but due to the different methods and approaches that are used and considered, it had helped to gather enough data. Tuckett (2004) believes that in a qualitative research, it is not important or not a requirement to have a large sample, but it is important to have a sample that is to be information rich on the given phenomenon to be investigated (p. 49). That is the reason why, the data that had been gathered in the study can be considered as enough.
RESULT
Findings
Were the findings effectively summarized, with good use of excerpts? Do the themes adequately capture the meaning of the data? Did the analysis yield an insightful, provocative, and meaningful picture of the phenomenon under investigation?
Polit & Beck (2006) stated that the findings of the study must be presented with the identified themes from the data and all of the said themes must be backed up with different accepts from the original source of data. Thus, it must be showed in details, in the original words of the participants, that stating their experiences regarding the theme that had been identified. The use of the excepts will identified the different themes that were established in the result of the analysis of data that will give insightful, provocative and meaningful picture of the phenomenon that is being investigated (p. 74; Hagren & Pettersen 2005). The said characteristics of the findings can be seen in the article, because the findings as well as the different groupings and categories were supported by different excerpts from the responses of the participants. Above all, it had been able to show the different grouping of the respondents that made it easy to understand for the readers.
DISCUSSION, LIMITATIONS, IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH
Are the major findings interpreted and discussed within the context of prior studies?
It is important for the research to connect or links its interpretation and discussion to the recent or prior studies and researches that have been done and published; this is due to the fact that it can help to know if the past studies are still applicable in the recent condition or status of the subject matter or not. In the article, the authors have been able to show the different connections or linked of their studies to the other classical and recent studies regarding the topic, this can be seen in the different in-text citation as well as comparison in the discussion part of the paper.
Are the interpretations consistent with the study’s limitations?
The limitation of the study is considered as one of the most important parts of any researches and studies. This is due to the fact that it enables the creation of boundaries and restriction of the study that will help to categorize the study. In the case of the article, the authors had been able to connect their limitations to the interpretation of data by focusing to the fact that the sample cannot be considered as the representative of all individuals with the CKD. Furthermore, the discussion and interpretation also gives focus on the relevance of the number of the male and female respondents.
From your reading of this study, describe your understanding of the role of the nurse in renal care.
Nurses have a great responsibility in supporting the needs for early intervention in CKD, as well as identified educational and supportive intervention to the patient. Furthermore, it is also important to design and improve the different programs that will ensure the preparation for the challenges of dialysis, both for the patient and the family.
Have the authors convinced you of the relevance of their finding to clinical practice or further inquiry and are those implications reasonable?
After analyzing the study, as well as the characteristics of the different aspects of nursing qualitative researches, It can be said that the authors of the study done a great job in showing the relevance of their findings to the clinical practice. Furthermore, their findings can be a great reference for future works.
References
Burns, N & Grove, S 2005, The Practice of Nursing Research: Conduct, Critique, and Utilization, Elsevier/Saunders
Daniels, R 2003, Nursing Fundamentals: Caring & Clinical Decision Making, Thomson Delmar Learning
Hagren, B., Pettersen, I.M., Severinsson, E., Lutzen, K. & Clyne, N. 2005, ‘Maintenance Haemodialysis: Patients’ Experiences of Their Life Situation,’ Journal of Clinical Nursing, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 294- 299
Helen, S S & Carpenter, D R 2006, Qualitative Research in Nursing: Advancing the Humanistic Imperative, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Holloway, I & Wheeler, S 2002, Qualitative Research in Nursing, Blackwell Publishing
Jacelon, C.S. & O’Dell, K.K. 2005, ‘Analysing Qualitative Data’, Urologic Nursing, vol. 25 no. 3, pp. 217-20
McEwen, M & Wills, E 2007, Theoretical Basis for Nursing, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Macnee, C L & McCabe, S 2008, Understanding Nursing Research: Using Research in Evidence-based Practice, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Polit, D & Beck, C T 2004, Nursing Research: Principles and Methods, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Speziale, H S & Carpenter, D R 2006, Qualitative Research in Nursing: Advancing the Humanistic Imperative, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Taylor, B, Kermode, S & Roberts, K 2006, Research in Nursing and Health Care: Evidence for Practice, Thomson Learning Nelso
Thompson, C., McCaughan, D., Cullum, N., Sheldon, T.A. & Raynor, P. 2004, ‘Increasing the Visibility of Coding Decisions in Team-based Qualitative Research in Nursing’, International Journal of Nursing Studies, vol. 41 no. 1
Tuckett, A.G. 2004. ‘Qualitative Research Sampling: The Very Real Complexities’, Nurse Researcher, vol. 12, no. 1, pp.48, 49
Vishnevsky, T. & Beanlands, H. 2004, ‘Qualitative Research’, Nephrology Nursing Journal, vol. 31, no. 2, p. 234
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