Critical Appraisal of a Quantitative Research Article

Problem and Purpose 

The study’s purpose was to evaluate the diabetes self-management activities of African American primary caregiving grandmothers before and after the start of caregiving. These results were compared to the self-management activities of African American primary caregiving grandmothers to diabetic women not caring for their grandchildren. 

Review of Literature 

The author identifies gaps in regards to examining the role of African American primary caregiving grandmothers in diabetic management as most studies focus on the younger generation. The references cited by the author are current as per the time of the study’s publication. 

Framework 

The study applies the Orem’s Self-deficit Theory of Nursing (SCDTN). Carthron et al. (2010) state that the paradigm is one of the most widely applied when examining a patient’s self-care needs and deficits. Moreover, the SCDTN is useful in determining the role of nursing in disease management. 

Research Question 

Is self-management of diabetes better in African American primary caregiving grandmothers than in women not caring for their grandchildren? 

Research Design 

The study uses a cross-sectional descriptive design. The authors applied the method as it enabled them to examine the prevalence of a condition in a defined population. In this case, the population was African American grandmothers ( Carthron et al, 2010) . The population consisted of 68 African American women aged between 55 and 75. Each participant stated the frequency of their performance of the six-self management activities. The caregiving grandmothers were queried about these activities before and after the start of caregiving. The responses were measured using a likert scale and the findings were evaluated using various statistical methods. 

Available Data and Records 

The researchers used historical data from the national database. The data was suitable since it provided a suitable basing point for the current study. Its application enabled the study to have valid clinical relevance. 

Reference 

Carthron, D. L., Johnson, T. M., Hubbart, T. D., Strickland, C., & Nance, K. (2010). “Give me some sugar!” The diabetes self ‐ management activities of African ‐ American primary caregiving grandmothers.  Journal of Nursing Scholarship ,  42 (3), 330-337.