The basis of quantitative research is determining the number of participants as well as the methods used in establishing and evaluating how and why particular behaviors take place. Several factors determine the method of quantitative research to be used. Some of them are the research problem nature, the relevant queries used to address such issues, and the literature to be used in keeping track of the research. Such factors guide the researcher in determining whether to take a qualitative or quantitative research approach. Once the researcher has settled on an approach, other factors such as data collection procedures, analysis, sampling methods, and interpretation become easier since research approaches predetermine such factors. The characteristics of qualitative research differ from quantitative research, from the relationship of the variables to developing a specific and measurable hypothesis. The paper, therefore, aims at critically evaluating some of the quantitative methods utilized by Harries et al. (2013) in their article "The Impact of a Brief Lifestyle Intervention Delivered by Generalist Community Nurses."
Evaluation of the Research Design
The Credibility of the Article
Harris et al. (2013) evaluated the shortcomings of the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in nursing practices. To do so, the authors based their logical ideas on an intensive and critical analysis of the selected sample, where they competently backed up their evidence using scholarly evidence. According to the article, the nurses' primary role is to offer advice on lifestyle changes. In addition to that, they provide valuable insight into ways of handling lifestyle risk issues, which they term as significant. As of today, the two leading chronic illnesses are diabetes and heart diseases, and they are deemed as the leading causes of disability as well as mortality. For this reason, the findings of the research by Harris et al. (2013) are crucial in such scenarios as they offer recommendations for areas of swift intervention. In the article, the risk factors that contribute to such illnesses, along with strategies for countering such risks, are also outlined. What is more, the authors provide statistical data that paint a crystal-clear picture of the realities of the diseases, and this helps individuals make valid conclusions and make an effort to reverse their lifestyles.
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Problem Statement and the Research Design
During the study, Harris et al. (2013) directed questions that helped in establishing the significance of the problem. By defining the problem, the authors focused on a specific scope of the study, and that is evaluating the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in routine community nursing practice (Harris et al., 2013). The problem statement helps the researchers in identifying a void in the topic study, where they recommend amicable solutions to fill the void (Dine, Mcgaghie, Bordage, & Shea, 2015). Apart from defining the problem, the authors also partook in a quasi-experimental analysis of the individuals who participated in the study. Together with the participants, the writers came up with interventions and implementation strategies for nursing practice.
Ethical Issues
In conducting the research, the authors acknowledged and identified the ethical implications of the research as well as the nursing practice implications. In each of the participating area health services, the research was approved by the appropriate bodies. Some of the bodies include the Human Research Ethics Committee, Hunter New England Human Research Committee, and the University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee (Harris et al., 2013). What this means is that the researchers not only understood and appreciated the role of ethics in nursing but also went a step further in making sure that the research adhered to the ethical morals and principles. Furthermore, the research included a survey that the authors ensured adhered to the Helsinki declaration (Harris et al., 2013). The work of research, particularly the one involving several participants, is a haven for ethical issues. More often than not, researchers break the ethical principles in an attempt to save costs or hasten the process. The authors avoided that by getting informed consent from all the participants.
Purpose Statement
At first, Harris et al. (2013) covered a wide variety of topics, which is why they needed to focus on an in-depth analysis of the research purpose. Therefore, the writers developed a purpose statement that would steer the research. At that point, the writers then got a glimpse of what the final article would look like based on the objectives of the research. The purpose statement was thus used to introduce the whole process of investigation, starting with the data collection techniques to the intended and expected results. Specific research questions and hypotheses were derived the purpose statement. Furthermore, the purpose statement guided them into focusing on one primary item, looking for study participants, and also the geographical location that the research would take place. The main guide for the purpose statement was the prediction questions that were formulated by the researchers. The purpose statement laid the foundation for future research on the topic through a brief exploration of the impact of a brief lifestyle intervention delivered by generalist community nurses. Through the purpose statement, Harris et al. (2013) suggested the use of more intensive long-term interventions as opposed to the previous referrals.
Evaluation of the Methods/Procedures and Results
Literature Review
In qualitative research, the researchers carry out their studies by building on already existing information about a topic (Silverman, 2016). The researchers for this topic utilized that fact because the study included literature that was highly reviewed in their research process. The authors utilized journals, books, summaries, and other publications in their literary as well as statistical representation. All the facts and figures were appropriately cited and backed up with references. The research materials, as evident from the article, were vastly utilized in guiding information about the procedures for gathering information. In addition to that, literature was also applied in proposing the benefits of the nursing practice as well as making recommendations for a better practice of nursing.
Sampling Strategy
As noted above, the quasi-experimental design was used in the study, where the services were randomly divided into two groups, the Early Intervention (EI) and the Late Intervention (LI) (Harris et al.,2013). The same grouping was used in classifying the responses, and the groups formed were at the service and client level. Both EI and LI helped the nurses show their support for the recommendations. The researchers used an open criterion in selecting the participants, who were then contacted by phone. The eligible participants that were invited to participate in the research were aged between 30-80 years (Harris et al., 2013). The eligibility criteria were that they were supposed to be fluent in both readings and writing English as that would facilitate the research. However, there was some exclusion whose basis was clients that received one visit, those under palliative care, and those who had any form of impairment.
Measurement Strategy
The study conducted quantitative research, as noted above, which involved statistical analysis. Power and sample sizes were calculated by the researchers. Moreover, they carried our statistical tests such as the chi tests and t-tests, and also conducted univariate comparisons in groups (Harris et al., 2013). For the EI and LI groups, the researchers carried out multilevel research to evaluate any changes in the lifestyles of the clients. The statistical analysis of the participants and results was paramount in ensuring that the researchers made the right conclusions regarding the clients' lifestyle changes.
Implications of the Study on Clinical Practice
The findings of the research by Harris et al. (2013) substantiate the need for an intervention in the community nursing program, due to the chronic nature of illnesses. According to the writers, chronic diseases are gradually turning into a disaster that affects lives. Through outlines the risks contributing to such maladies, the authors give a clear direction of the way forward to prevent such illnesses. The authors suggest an improvement in the nursing practice, in which the results of the study back up the recommendations. Consequently, using this research, nurses acquire newer and better ideas to put in place as they carry out their nursing activities. Moreover, medical practitioners can now evaluate new ways to deal with such diseases, and test for the ones that work best with the patients. In doing so, practitioners from different locations can collaborate and come up with better incentives for healthcare. The research also opens doors to more research into the maladies. Although Harris et al. (2013) specialize in two major diseases, their work creates room for other researchers to diversify into other chronic illnesses affecting the community.
Conclusion
Qualitative and quantitative research aims to help individuals collect, organize, and analyze information about a certain topic. The research is used to solve day to day problems, which is done by using questions to collect information that is later used in formulating answers. Harris et al. (2013) study are quintessential in evaluating the impact of a brief lifestyle intervention delivered by generalist community nurses. The study is credible as it substantiates the roles of nurses by hypothesizing their importance in the community. In addition to that, the research also follows ethical guidelines in sampling and collecting information used in the analysis. The research, therefore, acts as a bridge to facilitate future research in the nursing field. Lastly, the researcher layout recommendations that will help future clinicians transform the nursing and medical sector in general.
References
Dine, C. J., Mcgaghie, W. C., Bordage, G., & Shea, J. A. (2015). Problem Statement, Conceptual Framework, And Research Question. Review Criteria for Research Manuscripts , 19 .
Harris, M. F., Chan, B. C., Laws, R. A., Williams, A. M., Davies, G. P., Jayasinghe, U. W., ... & Milat, A. (2013). The Impact of a Brief Lifestyle Intervention Delivered by Generalist Community Nurses (CN SNAP Trial). BMC Public Health , 13 (1), 375.
Silverman, D. (Ed.). (2016). Qualitative Research . Sage.
