Interview questions
The field of nursing continues to be increasingly involved in research and is mainly engaged with qualitative analysis. When nurses’ conduct clinically based research, the emphasis is mostly placed on the methodology which includes various effective data collection tools such as interviews and questionnaires. Conducting interviews is an effective way of acquiring information which can provide insights into the provision of quality care. Interviewing is a data collection tool which an interviewer, the nurse asks questions to a respondent face to face or by telephone. The interview process requires a reflexive approach to acknowledge the interviewers' values, assumptions on prejudices and influences (Warren & Karner, 2005). Being a standard method of data collection, interviews are differentiated between structured, unstructured and semi-structured interviews.
Unstructured questions
Unstructured interview questions refer to questions which are open, personal and intimate. The questions enable the interviewer to acquire detailed information provided by the respondent in the form of narrative and stories. They are guided conversations which provide valuable data on conditions and contributes to research. Unstructured questions originate from the ethnographic and anthropological approaches as traditional methods of data collections (Warren & Karner, 2005). It usually involves the selection of a key informant from whom the interviewer elicits information on the different meanings attached to behavior, artifacts or rituals which provide insights into medical knowledge and practices in a particular community. The interviewer continually asks questions as they emerge from the conversation. Nurses use unstructured questions when researching to allow the respondents to participate in a free environment and offer valuable information to be used to improve the provision of medical care. Unstructured questions will enable the nurse to acquire knowledge in depth which may otherwise be hard to learn by offering the respondent freedom of self-examination and use of narratives and stories which are familiar and comfortable to use compared to other available methods.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Semi-structured questions
In semi-structured interviews, it is usually scheduled in advance and at a designated time. It usually takes place outside everyday events, and the questions are generally organized, set and predetermined. The interview can also ask other questions emerging from the dialogues. Being organized the meetings usually last between thirty minutes and hours depending on the nature and requirements of the field of study (Warren & Karner, 2005). They provide an environment for in-depth conversations which are personal and intimate encounters are availed with the health professional by asking open direct and verbal questions. They aim at eliciting information from the respondent. The interviewer is required to maintain control over the questions and limiting his or her contribution. Nurses employ semi-structured questions as they offer an opportunity to the nurse to acquire in-depth information from a direct source where the informant can express information in their terms and provide reliable comparable and qualitative data.
Structured questions
They refer to organized and formal questions provided to a respondent by the interviewer I form of a questionnaire or verbally presented. The questions are usually closed and are beneficial to the respondent with speech and language impairment. They are suitable for collecting quantitative data. Structured can be used to save time and resources due to their highly organized nature.
Ethical and Legal Issues in the study of childhood disease and illnesses
Conducting health research is a moral duty to health professional as it allows the discovery and utilization of evidence-based care (Neill, 2005). Research in childhood diseases and diseases presents many challenges concerning getting informed consent and assent, conflict of interest in studies and vulnerability of children. When conducting research involving children, the primary concern is the mitigation of risks and protecting the rights and interests of the participants (Warren & Karner, 2005). They are many issues which affect childhood research of diseases and illnesses. Issues such as the parental ability to determine when to start or end a medical intervention, decisions on the quality of care and financial consideration also play a part in practical research.
Ethical issues
Ethical issues in research and medical care are consent to treatment, the ability to prevent intolerable pain, organ donation or transplant, decisions or resuscitation, life support, cost of care right to treatment among others. Decision making which involves parent children and clinicians present an ethical dilemma. Parents have the authority to decide for their children but are usually challenged when the decisions made by the parent are to refuse the recommended treatment by the physicians (Neill, 2005). It becomes unethical to coerce parents or children to participate in research despite its importance and their contribution. Clinicians’ attitudes and practices affect their decisions on treatment and provision of medical interventions. Factors such as religious, cultural, emotional response to a childhood illness and involvement in research triggers decisions which may ethically affect research. Research on children is affected by a misunderstanding of evidence and ignorance of the medical profession.
When conducting research using children as subjects of study ethical issues may arise when the child health deteriorates. For example, it may become a moral issue to permit resuscitation which involves aggressive measures to restore breathing and blood circulation. The process involves electric shocks to the heart, insertion of breathing tubes for mechanical circulation (Neill, 2005). It can also call for administration of medication to stimulate the heart and restore breathing. In other cases, chest compressions or mouth to mouth breathing may be forced upon the patient. The responses may elicit legal and ethical consequences based on their interpretation, performances, and effectiveness.
Legal issues
It is important to obtain approval to research the local research ethics committee. Federal laws and regulations govern the inclusion of children in research which require both parents to give permission and the child to consent to participation (Neill, 2005). In many cases the child is alienated and a decision made by parents and clinicians which adds to anxiety and distress. Children should be involved to allow them to discuss their fears preferences and concerns to prevent their isolation (Brueton et al., 2013). It is essential to inform the person involved in research about the results regarding findings distribution including publications and conference presentations. It is critical to the researcher to maintain confidentiality by protecting the study participants and keeping private their identities to enhance retention of childhood diseases and illness research. The participants’ right to privacy, anonymity, and privacy should be upheld at all times to increase retention.
Techniques to promote retention in a study
When conducting research, loss of participants leads to bias and reduction in power which affects the ability of the survey to make generalizations, validity, and reliability of the results. Different techniques can be employed to promote retention of participants and ensure the validity of the results.
Educate participants on their roles - it is essential to offer detailed information to the participant on the importance of the study. Explaining the research protocols, the composition of treatment and expected results will increase their understanding of the significance of the study. It is, therefore, necessary to highlight the need of the participant to complete the research and assessment to lay the groundwork for future follow up.
Provision of incentives . It is essential to honor and value the participant’s sacrifice of their time by providing payment for participation. Payment promotes the likelihood of obtaining critical data and outcomes of the study (Brueton et al., 2013). Provision of payment acts as reimbursement of participants’ efforts to complete the research and cover small expenses such as transport, parking, and meals incurred during the time of the study.
Maintain flexibility and routine . The researcher should establish a routine and schedule to enhance adherence to treatment components such as medication and appointments. Creating flexibility to reduce the probability of boredom and forgetfulness of participants while attending appointments is necessary for retention.
Creation of a conducive environment - To encourage participation the s researcher should ensure that the experiences of participants during the study are smooth and enjoyable. It calls for respectful, accommodating and welcoming staff or any other members who will handle the participants. They should exhibit a nonjudgmental and accepting attitude towards all and keep off favoritism or biased treatment (Brueton et al., 2013). A suitable environment is those that offer privacy to the participant and ensure that they feel safe and contented.
Keep an efficient tracking system - It is essential to be able to trace and locate a participant whenever possible. , the participant should be asked to provide email addresses, telephone members and acquire their consent on whether you can call and leave messages concerning the study to them to effectively keep track (Brueton et al., 2013). It is also essential to get other numbers of relatives, spouses or friends who can help in locating the participants when the need arises.
Staff training and recognition . Also, I believe that having a supportive team during research contributes to reliable and valid research results. It is important to start with the staff who will have the participants and equip them with the necessary attitudes and education for productive research participation. A seminar should be conducted for the team to outline the process of the study including duration, methodology and other critical factors that will contribute to useful research and retention of participants. It is also advisable to comment and recognize the staff efforts towards the study by understanding and appreciating them.
References
Brueton V, Tierney J, Stenning S, Harding S, Meredith S, Nazareth I, Rait G. ( 2013). Strategies to improve retention in randomized trials . Cochrane Database System Rev ised, MR000032.
Neill, S.J. (2005) Research with children: A critical review of the guidelines . Journal for Child Health Care. Vol.9. pp. 46–58
Warren, C. &Karner, T. (2005). The Interview. Discovering Qualitative Methods: Field Research, Interviews and Analysis. Roxbury, Los Angeles CA.
