The studies by Turan, Mankan, and Cengiz (2018), as well as the study by Thacker et al. (2016), are descriptive in nature, as both of them use the survey method to meet the research objectives. According to Portney and Watkins (2009), for descriptive research to be reliable as well as valid, the questions administered to the participants through interviews or questionnaires should be constructed in a proper way. In this case, the participants should be in a position of comprehending the questions provided, which calls for the need for researchers to ensure that the questions are clear. The two descriptive studies use questions that appear to be clear to fulfill the research objectives identified. In this light, the researchers in both studies used the questionnaire method to fulfill the specific research objectives, even though the study populations were different.
In their study, Turan, Mankan, and Cengiz (2018) focused on determining the knowledge levels that students had regarding the strategies that can be used to prevent intravenous catheter infections. To fulfill this objective, the researchers sought to answer research questions that included the most common way through which students are aware of the routes that transmit pathogens, their understanding regarding infections related to care practices, and their understanding of intravenous catheters. The questionnaires provided to fulfill the research objective contained 21 items, most of which addressed concerns of intravenous catheters as a cause of hospital infections (Turan, Mankan, & Cengiz, 2018). The questions account for the idea that this type of infection is considered as the leading cause of infection in healthcare facilities, which is a provision that calls for the need to acquire a better understanding of the most appropriate treatment.
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Turan, Mankan, and Cengiz (2018) hypothesized that nursing students should have the knowledge required to prevent catheter-related infections. Even though the researchers collected primary data from the subjects to fulfill this objective, the researchers used available literature to develop the research questions. An outstanding element that the researchers identify in relation to the literature on the subject is that the risk of infection has reduced in the last two decades, following the enhanced training of students on the subject, including aseptic technical standardization (Turan, Mankan, & Cengiz, 2018). This provision supports the conclusion that nursing students should be trained on the identification of the preventive measures to be used to control the healthcare-related infections. The conclusion is supported by the findings from the sample completed by 430 students, which revealed that the knowledge of the students in terms of IC-infections was high.
For the study by Thacker et al. (2016), the two primary questions that guided the research process included the identification of the health-promoting lifestyle practices of licensed registered nurses and the relationship between different variables related to the practices of RNs that work in defined communities. The researchers hypothesized that nurses that might have failed to take care of themselves might not be in a position of creating a culture of health. The hypothesis was supported by literature that emphasized on the need for implementing initiatives and developing institutional plans that can assist in promoting the health of RNs (Thacker et al., 2016). The findings, which were derived from a sample of 494 RNs, including a review of literature on the topic, found that it would be essential for nurses to understand the need of taking care of themselves, including the need for employers to do the same. The understanding is essential for creating a health culture.
According to Nijhawan et al. (2013), obtaining informed consent from research participant is an essential legal and ethical requirement. In obtaining consent from the research participants, Turan, Mankan, and Cengiz (2018) and Thacker et al. (2016) depended on volunteers. Out of the total population targeted by the researchers, a given percentage of participants agreed to participate, as they were adequately informed about the aspects of the studies. These aspects are important to aspects for ensuring that a research participant makes a decision to participate voluntarily, as they will be aware of the requirements beforehand. In their studies, the researchers obtained consent by informing the participants of the purpose of the studies, and the procedures that would be undertaken, which are essential for ensuring that the participation is voluntary.
In terms of the ethical actions undertaken, Turan, Mankan, and Cengiz (2018) sought permission from the Faculty of Health Sciences from Inonu and Firat Universities, consequently obtaining verbal consent from the students. The ethical considerations followed by the researchers followed the ethical and legal principles required in conducting research. Thacker et al. (2016) also observed ethical principles of conducting research, as they did not provide the participants with incentives to participate. Using incentives can create biasness, which might affect the conclusions of the study. On the other hand, Thacker et al. (2016) indicate that they acquired approval from each of the institution’s IRB reviews, which also followed ethical principles that guide research. For the identified reasons, it would be possible to conclude that the researchers did not go against ethical principles of research.
References
Nijhawan, L. P., Janodia, M. D., Muddukrishna, B. S., Bhat, K. M., Bairy, K. L., Udupa, N., & Musmade, P. B. (2013). Informed consent: Issues and challenges. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research , 4 (3), 134–140. doi:10.4103/2231-4040.116779
Portney, L. G., & Watkins, M. P. (2009). Foundations of clinical research: applications to practice (Vol. 892). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Thacker, K., Stavarski, D. H., Brancato, V., Flay, C., & Greenawald, D. (2016). CE: original research: an investigation into the health-promoting lifestyle practices of RNs. AJN The American Journal of Nursing , 116 (4), 24-30.
Turan, G. B., Mankan, T., & Cengiz, Z. (2018). Nursing Students' Levels of Knowledge on the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter Infections. International Journal of Caring Sciences , 11 (2), 443-449.
