NR505 Week 4 Discussion: Qualitative/Mixed Methods Critique

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NR505 Week 4 Discussion: Qualitative/Mixed Methods Critique – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NR505 Week 4 Discussion: Qualitative/Mixed Methods Critique, it is essential to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the audience of the paper and its purpose so that it can help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, you should review its use, such as writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review how to format the title page and the headings in the paper.

How to Research and Prepare for NR505 Week 4 Discussion: Qualitative/Mixed Methods Critique

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify the list of keywords from your topic using different combinations. The first step is to visit the university library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last words and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, for example, in APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching about. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next you should create a detailed outline of the paper so that it can help you to create headings and subheadings to be used in the paper. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NR505 Week 4 Discussion: Qualitative/Mixed Methods Critique

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part as it helps to provide the context of your work, and will determine if the reader will be interested to read through to the end. You should start with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NR505 Week 4 Discussion: Qualitative/Mixed Methods Critique

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence conducted from the research, ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance and how it connects to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between each paragraph by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NR505 Week 4 Discussion: Qualitative/Mixed Methods Critique

In-text citations help the reader to give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their works. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Smith (2021), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Johnson and Brown (2020) highlight that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.

How to Write the Conclusion for NR505 Week 4 Discussion: Qualitative/Mixed Methods Critique

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restarting your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper, by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. End with a call to action that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NR505 Week 4 Discussion: Qualitative/Mixed Methods Critique

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Johnson, L. M., & Brown, R. T. (2020). The role of telehealth in improving patient outcomes. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000456

Smith, J. A. (2021). The impact of technology on nursing practice. Health Press.

NR505 Week 4 Discussion: Qualitative/Mixed Methods Critique Instructions

Select one current, qualitative or mixed methods scholarly nursing article related to your PICOT question and determine its strengths, limitations, and potential application. Have a look at NR505NP Week 5 Research Summary Assignment.

Complete the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Appendix E Evidence Appraisal ToolLinks to an external site. Download Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence Based Practice Appendix E Evidence Appraisal Tool. Once you’ve completed the tool, use your own words to summarize your appraisal of the article. Include the following:

Description of the purpose

Explanation of research design

Discussion of sample

Description of data collection methods

Summary of findings

Strengths of the study (minimum of 1)

Limitations of the study (minimum of 1)

Recommendations regarding potential application for future practice that are insightful and appropriate. Please continue with topic used previously. Thank you.

NR505 Week 4 Discussion: Qualitative/Mixed Methods Critique Example

Summary of Appraisal Based on the Article by Atthayasai et al. (2023)

  1. Description of the Purpose 

The purpose of the study was to identify the attitudes of surgical nurses on appropriate approaches that can improve their competency in managing patient pain. The authors also emphasized the importance of paying closer attention to the issue at hand and the necessity of studying nurses’ experiences to identify effective strategies for designing targeted interventions and educational programs that align with the needs and concerns of these practitioners. Thus, the study aimed to illuminate the factors that influence nurses’ pain management practices and reveal the gaps in the nursing curriculum and guidelines that should be addressed. This understanding is vital because managing postoperative pain is essential to patient care and perceived quality.

  • Explanation of Research Design

Atthayasai et al. (2023) employed a qualitative descriptive design, focusing on the knowledge and practices of surgical nurses regarding approaches to enhance their pain management competency. This study utilized individual interviews to gain insight into the participants’ views and experiences. The data for this study were derived from the open-ended questions used in an open and three-round Delphi study (Atthayasai et al., 2023). This design is suitable for studying constructs such as perceived value and experience, as it enables them to be observed in the natural environment where they occur. Using this procedure, the researchers sought to establish an empathetic perception of the nurses’ perceptions concerning the matter under study and, therefore, obtain a collection of data that is both extensive and highly qualitative.

  • Discussion of Sample

The participants in this study included forty surgical nurses selected from two different hospitals in Thailand. The participants were purposefully selected based on the following inclusion criteria: possessing a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, currently employed in the surgical unit, and having at least six months of experience caring for patients experiencing chronic pain. This criterion was designed to attract candidates with specific practical experience and knowledge regarding pain management. The sample size of forty is large enough to conduct qualitative research since, while remaining realistic in its scope, it provides the opportunity to work with dense data sets and achieve data saturation, ensuring that all the required subjects have been covered for the research topic.

  • Description of Data Collection Methods

This paper employed a qualitative research design that involved the administration of semi-structured interviews. This allowed the participants to express themselves voluntarily. These interviews provided an opportunity to ask participants broad questions about their potential perceptions and experiences. These questions were founded on critical policies and concerns and sought to establish which strategies the nurses believed to be most helpful in improving pain management competency. This ensured that the interviews were conducted in a language the participants understood best. All the interviews were conducted, audiotaped, and transcribed before being analyzed using thematic analysis to identify the typical pain management strategies.

  • Summary of Findings

This research revealed various perceived strategies that the surgical nurses believed contributed to improving their pain management skills. The study revealed three main themes regarding strategies for enhancing pain management proficiency among surgical nurses:

  • Partnering: The importance of collaboration and communication within interprofessional teams to ensure comprehensive pain assessment and management.
  • Disrupting: Challenging traditional practices and embracing new knowledge and technologies to improve pain management outcomes.
  • Becoming Familiar: Continuous learning and professional development are needed to stay updated on the latest evidence-based practices in pain management.

Enhancing interprofessional pain management proficiency is a complex process that requires adopting a comprehensive strategy that engages various stakeholders, encourages novel approaches, and promotes skill enhancement through ongoing education and training.

  • Strengths of the Study

The study demonstrated trustworthiness by emphasizing credibility, transferability, reliability, and confirmability. The study has various strengths, including a qualitative descriptive design. The use of open-ended questions based on policy papers ensures that responses are tailored to the context of pain treatment. All authors contributed to the data analysis, discussing various interpretations to reach a consensus, thereby improving the rigor and transparency of the findings. Their significant experience in qualitative research enhanced the study’s validity. The chosen data collection method, written open-ended questions, allowed nurses to offer their ideas flexibly, accommodating their hectic schedules while ensuring that data gathering did not interfere with their professional responsibilities. Thematic analysis offers a thorough and systematic approach to data analysis, thereby enhancing the credibility of the findings.

  • Limitations of the Study

Due to the participants’ excessive workloads, conducting interviews, which could have provided deeper data, was impossible. While adequate for qualitative research, the sample size of 40 surgical nurses restricts the generalizability of the findings. The convenience sampling approach and the participants’ specific features (the majority of whom hold a master’s degree and have significant experience) may limit the applicability of the findings to other situations and demographics. The participants’ high education levels and considerable experience may have influenced the outcomes, limiting the study’s relevance to more significant demographics.

Furthermore, because the study is qualitative, the findings are context-specific rather than generalizable. While useful for in-depth responses, the use of open-ended questions may have been influenced by social desirability bias, where participants provided responses they thought were expected or desirable. Finally, the absence of member checking, which entails returning the findings to participants for validation, could be viewed as a restriction; however, the authors concede this was due to the participants’ hectic schedules.

  • Recommendations for Future Practice

The study recommends regular training programs for surgical nurses to update them on the latest pain management techniques and evidence-based practices. It also suggests fostering a collaborative environment within healthcare teams to enhance communication and support among professionals. Besides, Consider integrating innovative technologies and approaches into pain management protocols. These measures could significantly improve pain management proficiency and patient care outcomes in surgical settings.

References

Atthayasai, J., Chatchumni, M., Eriksson, H., & Mazaheri, M. (2023). Surgical nurses’ perceptions of strategies to enhance pain management proficiency: A qualitative study. Nursing Reports, 13(2), 923–933. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep13020081