The introduction part of this research is not explicit as it does not start with stating what the research is all about from the start. The quantitative study conducted was on the measure of the impact of a one-day seminar on Incorporating Caring Theory into Personal and Professional Nursing Practice to Improve Perception of Care. The introduction is, however, more of a literature review as it explains the previous works and theories relating to the topic.
The introduction does not mention who the researcher is and whether they are qualified to conduct this research. Proper research should include a good description of the researcher and why they are best suited to do the research. That is not the case with this research.
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Title/Introductory Paragraph
Is the title appropriate? No
Clear and concise? No.
Introductory paragraph informative? Yes
Does the introduction grab your interest? No
Any background information? Yes
Is the significance to nursing stated? Yes
Purpose
The purpose of this research article is to emphasize the importance of caring in professional nursing. The research conducted is based on measuring the impact of the caring seminar held on nurses by measuring their pre-seminar and post-seminar perception on the importance of caring in nursing.
Research problem/Question
Is the research problem identified? No. Therefore, we cannot determine whether the research has answered the problem at hand.
The research question has not been stated, and thus, we cannot decide whether or not it has been explained in the study.
Hypothesis
Is the hypothesis stated? Yes. The hypotheses for this study were two--The participants' perception of their level of competence to adopt nurse-patient caring attitudes and behaviors will be enhanced through this educational seminar, as measured by the caring nurse-patient interaction scale (CNPI-70N) (Watson 2009a), and Patient perception of how frequently nurses treat them with courtesy/respect and listen carefully to them will be enhanced through this educational seminar, as measured by HCAHPS scores.
Do you think the hypothesis makes sense (is a good guess) for the given study? Yes. Iit is precise as it is connected to the results of the study. The research results are answering the hypothesis through a measure of the nurses' percepts of caring.
Literature Review
The author of the research article has reviewed five items in the literature review.
I think that this is an adequate number for this research since they provide useful information related to the research topic. Literature review is crucial in recognizing previous studies and how the study proves them on improve on them.
The resources used in the text are relevant to the problem. Most of the pieces of literature were taking about Watsons's caring theory in nursing, which is the central theme of the entire research. The author has also cited several facts and ideas from these articles to prove their relevance in this theory.
Most of the resources used in this literature review are not latest since most of them range from 2003 to 2010. The information on these articles may be considered obsolete since the healthcare and nursing sector is dynamic; thus, time changes particular perspectives. Proper research should be conducted with a literature review of articles, books, and publications that are not older than five years old.
Ethical Consideration
Were ethical practices used when conducting the study and do the authors state IRB approval was obtained? No.
However, they maintained the participants anonymity during the study hence protecting their integrity since there were very little participants, hence everyone was treated equally
The conductors made sure there was informed consent on the participants. A principal investigator was also made available to answer any questions that participants had.
None of the participants were put at harm by any of the procedures performed neither did they benefit from the seminar they attended.
Theoretical or Conceptual Framework
Was the framework present or not? Yes. The study used the Watson caring theory as its conceptual framework; their standpoint being the ability to provide optimal healing conditions by increasing healthcare providers caring consciousness
The framework was from a clinical background and aimed at incorporating a caring culture between nurse and patient by applying the Watson model into their practice.
Operational definitions
The report included definitions of technical terms used. It provided immediate explanation for terms and short forms used in the whole report hence those reading the report without prior knowledge can find it easy to understand and follow through
The report provided clear explanations of the surveys mentioned. It named certain surveys such as CNPI-70 and HCAHPS and the scales used to measure the performance of the results.
Do they help clarify the study? Yes. These definitions assist in understanding the objective of the study and the experimental design used to prepare the participants to undertake the seminar.
Research Design
The participants of the study were chosen based on a specific criterion that was determined by the hospital chosen for the study.
Was there randomization? No. The nurses were chosen in terms of their willing ness to partake in the program and their unit schedule in the clinic. Only ten nurses were allowed to join in the program due to the strict budgetary constraints
Members from each department in the clinic were given a chance to register for the study to ensure there is no randomization of the staff attending and to ensure inclusion of the majority of the service line.
Bias
There was no bias in the selection of the members participating in the study or in the results that the study revealed; this shows that the report was truthful and of good faith.
Population and sample
The sample group consisted of ten members from one hospital found in the suburban area of Midwestern.
The nurses were chosen by willingness to participate and no specific age group was considered in the selection. As long as the participants were working nurses they were able to participate in the study.
Do you think this is an adequate sample size? No. The number of the attendees is inadequately small to produce any relevant result that can be applied to other hospitals. It also lacks variation since all the members were picked from one hospital and in reality not all hospitals are the same. Each healthcare provider faces unique situations in their places of work; this variation cannot be included in the data.
Data Collection
The study made use of surveys in the collection of data. They used CNPI-70N surveys and the HCAHPS scoring system in determining the scores of the surveys conducted.
The surveys were given to them by the hospital and were to be mailed back via mail prior to acceptance to partake in the study
The CNPI-70N survey was done prior to the educational lessons for the participants, immediately after and finally after six months
Significance
Was this study significant to the field of nursing? Yes. The difference in the p values was highly significant between the pre education and the post educational periods (P=.000) showing a significant change in the ability to develop attitudes of care and behaviors in their practice. The difference was also observed in comparison to the post six months survey with (=.001)
However there was no significant difference between the post intervention and post six months after the educational lessons on improving caring attitudes in clinicians (p=0.57)
Nursing Significance
The study was significant to the nursing field as it equipped the participants with caring attitudes and behaviors found in the Watson caring theory. Its development was fully aimed in ensuring that nurses have a more enhanced sense of humanism, hope and spirituality all these are key tenets in the practice of nursing
Assumptions/limitations
Did the author list any assumptions? Yes. The sample size for the study was small and they all came from one hospital hence the study lacked variation and could not attain generalization of its results.
Did the author list any limitations? No. There was no random selection of units assigned and hence there was no control group in the study
Some of the strategies to give patients awareness of receiving care were created during the study and hence the study could fully establish any cause and effect occurring due to the study
The principal investigator who disseminated the surveys was an employee of the hospital hence it lacked in giving the participants full confidentiality
Conclusions
the seminar increased the nurses competence in offering care to their patients through the transformative experience of using the Watsons caring theory ; this exposure statistically increased their feelings of care
the scores increased significantly after the educational sessions showing that it is possible to enhance nurses attitudes and behaviors
it also showed the Watson caring theory provides a means to preserve and promote nursing competence and do away with the non-caring attitudes that is so prevalent with healthcare providers nowadays
The spirituality subscale did not seem to improve over the period of the study; during the pre-study and post there is no significant difference in improvement or reduction
Implication for Future Research
The author noted that there was a small sample size in the data hence a need to increase the sample size and extend the geographic locations in which the study is performed. Also, there is a need to implement ways to enhance the feelings of nurses to be much more competent in providing spiritual care
The implications are true and do need to be incorporated in future research when employing the Watson caring theory concept.
