Critique Steps (Understanding Quantitative Research)
OUTLINE OF BASIC
CRITIQUE STEPS (understanding quantitative research):
Brink and Wood (1994), and Burnes and Groves (1997), similarly describe the steps for quantitative nursing research process and methods. The authors include not only the basic steps to conduct nursing studies, but also translating the studies into articles for publication. According to Burnes & Groves (1997), and Hamric and Spross (1992), the quantitative research method is used to describe or gain more information, test relationships, examine cause and effect relationships, and uses numeric data to "answer" problems. The following is a basic outline of what is included in nursing research study, and what you should critique a study for:
1. Purpose
a. Usually found in introduction or problem statement.
b. Might be stated as a main research question or hypothesis for the study.
c. Main focus may not be clearly labeled requiring reader to synthesize the purpose from this section.
2. Sample
a. Look for representativeness of sample.
1. Representativeness-Subjects are randomly selected from the target population.
2. Target population-Population from which the sample is chosen and study findings are generalized to. Example: All women ages 65 to 90 with a diagnosis of acute MI.
3. Sample size-The sample size should be as large as possible. Sampling error decreases as sample size increases (general rule).
b. Random Vs. non-random sample
1. Convenience, strictly voluntary sampling selection (usually non-random) may have bias in representativeness.
2. Bias in sampling selection means those chosen to participate may differ from those not chosen. A randomized sample reduces bias in sampling selection.
NOTE: Many nursing primary references are based on non-random convenience samples! Bias may be reduced through certain data analysis techniques, and addressed in design limittions.
3. Methods
a. Data collection - Procedure should be clearly defined (based upon problem and sample).
1.
CRITIQUE STEPS (understanding quantitative research):
Brink and Wood (1994), and Burnes and Groves (1997), similarly describe the steps for quantitative nursing research process and methods. The authors include not only the basic steps to conduct nursing studies, but also translating the studies into articles for publication. According to Burnes & Groves (1997), and Hamric and Spross (1992), the quantitative research method is used to describe or gain more information, test relationships, examine cause and effect relationships, and uses numeric data to "answer" problems. The following is a basic outline of what is included in nursing research study, and what you should critique a study for:
1. Purpose
a. Usually found in introduction or problem statement.
b. Might be stated as a main research question or hypothesis for the study.
c. Main focus may not be clearly labeled requiring reader to synthesize the purpose from this section.
2. Sample
a. Look for representativeness of sample.
1. Representativeness-Subjects are randomly selected from the target population.
2. Target population-Population from which the sample is chosen and study findings are generalized to. Example: All women ages 65 to 90 with a diagnosis of acute MI.
3. Sample size-The sample size should be as large as possible. Sampling error decreases as sample size increases (general rule).
b. Random Vs. non-random sample
1. Convenience, strictly voluntary sampling selection (usually non-random) may have bias in representativeness.
2. Bias in sampling selection means those chosen to participate may differ from those not chosen. A randomized sample reduces bias in sampling selection.
NOTE: Many nursing primary references are based on non-random convenience samples! Bias may be reduced through certain data analysis techniques, and addressed in design limittions.
3. Methods
a. Data collection - Procedure should be clearly defined (based upon problem and sample).
1.
References: Burns, N. & Grove, S. (1997). The practice of nursing research: (Critique, and utilization. (3rd ed) Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co. Brink, P. & Wood, M. (1994). Basic steps in planning nursing research from question to proposal (4th ed). Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Hamric, A. & Spross, J (1992). The clinical nurse specialist in theory andpractice. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co. Watson, J. (1085). Nursing: The philosophy and science of caring. Colorado Associated University Press. By Anne Vitale, MSN, APRN, BC Director of Nursing Research At Community Medical Center, an Affiliate of the Saint Barbabas Health Care System Copyright New Jersey State Nurse 's Association Dec 2003 Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved