Critical Appraisal of Qualitative Work
Critical appraisal of Qualitative work due 12/01
GUIDELINES FOR CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Wallace Qualitative Study.pdf
Guidelines for the Critical Appraisal of Qualitative Research:
What was the study purpose? What was the qualitative study approach (i.e. Ethnography, phenomenology, historical, grounded theory)? Are the two consistent? (10 points)
What is the significance of the study? Does the review of the literature support it? (10 points)
Describe the sample (who, size, how selected, inclusion and exclusion criteria). Did the sample size and composition reflect the study needs and qualitative approach? (10 points)
What were the phenomena of interest? How were data collected? Did the investigator verify the data? (10 points)
Describe data analysis. Was data management described? (10 points)
What were the results? Were quotes used to illustrate? Give an example. (10 points)
What does this research mean for clinical practice/managerial decision-making? (10 pts.)
What would you recommend for future research on this issue/problem? (10 pts.)
What did the authors identify as limitations of the study? Were there other limitations that you detected? (10 pts)
Clarity of writing, APA format adhered to (10 pts) *Read the APA sheet and listen to the audio before turning in your paper.
Note:
Number your responses to the 9 questions above.
Most questions will be answered in a paragraph or two. If you are repeating information you probably answered one of the questions incorrectly.
Tip – Limit your use of direct quotes. It is much better to learn to paraphrase. If you do use a direct quote, enclose it in quotation marks and cite the page number.
Since it is clear you are referring to one article, you only need to cite it once in the beginning and once at the end. Please don’t reference every sentence.
*Be sure to use APA format and include a title page and reference page
Sample Answer
Question 1
The study aimed at exploring the psychological needs of men with prostate cancer. To achieve this, the study utilized the grounded theory approach. The study purpose and the grounded theory qualitative study approach are consistent with each other in the sense that there was no preconceived logical hypothesis. The study used the actual data to find out the consistency with the already developed cancer model.
Question 2
The study was significant in that it explored the stages that men with prostate cancer went through. The information in the literature review provides information on the concerns of men who have prostate cancer. Notably, the study was also consistent with the findings of Wilmoth (2001) regarding the needs of women with breast cancer. This study and Wilmoth’s identify the three stages that women with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer go through. These are; diagnosis, experience, and the survival stages.
Question 3
Men with a diagnosis of prostate cancer were included in the study. This means that women and men who were not diagnosed with prostate cancer were excluded from the study. Furthermore, men who could not communicate in English and did not give informed consent were excluded from the study. The sixteen participants were enrolled through the direct mailing of the previous and the existing users of the support program, newspaper advertisements, and the flyers distributed via the urology practices. The sample composition reflected the study needs and the qualitative approach. However, the sample size was a limitation to the study.
Question 4
The phenomena of interest in the study were the difficulties and the emotional challenges that the prostate cancer patients go through despite the existing support services for the cancer patients. The data was collected through demographic questionnaires and open-ended questions. The primary investigator verified the data by comparing the field notes with the report by the focus group that was also audiotaped. The constant comparison method was a way in which the investigator could verify the data.
Question 5
The data collected were organized using Wilmoth’s model, where the results were categorized into three; taking in (diagnosis), taking on (Survival), and taking hold (experience). Besides, the participants’ perspectives in regards to the support services that existed and their suggestions for services that were likely to facilitate the healthiest possible transition in the three stages were noted. The information on the data management was not described. However, the participants were briefed on what the research was all about. Those willing to disclose the information were the only ones involved in the study.
Question 6
In the study results, quotes of the exact words that the participants used to describe their feelings were used. Some statements, such as “The word cancer is followed closely in my mind with death” (pg. 183), were used to show the results of how the diagnosed patients felt. The findings of each category of the experience, diagnosis, survival, and psychological support were updated. The findings explain how men undergo several emotions associated with a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Question 7
The research is an eye-opener to the nurse practitioners and the nurses, and the entire healthcare system. The nurses and the nurse practitioners should educate the patients in matters surrounding prostate cancer. Apart from the cancer screening services, there is a need for the nurses and the nurse practitioners to educate the patients during the three stages of diagnosis, experience, and survival. Furthermore, there is a need to develop a clear guideline for the appropriateness of treatment.
Question 8
I recommend research on the effectiveness of the existing support systems. The participants’ suggestions may result from the failure to fully implement the existing recommendations of support services for men with prostate cancer. This study will aid in decision-making regarding the promotion of efficient practices and the identification of gaps in the services for patients with cancer. Also, a study to examine the role of nurses in meeting the identified patient needs should be conducted.
Question 9
One of the limitations that the authors identified was the number of participants and the subjective nature of the design. Besides, the study did not include the spouses of the men diagnosed with prostate cancer. The exclusion of the spouses limited the possibility of applying the results to families coping with the prostate cancer diagnosis. Another limitation of the study was the exclusion of men who could not speak English. The researchers ought to have included their input in the research.
Reference
- Wallace, M., & Storms, S. (2007). The needs of men with prostate cancer: results of a focus group study. Applied Nursing Research, 20(4), 181-187. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0897189707000997
