Introduction
The problem is stated unambiguously, it is easy to identify, and it builds on a cogent and persuasive argument for the new study. Additionally, the problem has significance for nursing as it addresses issues that nurses face in their day-to-day care activities. There is also a good match between the research problem on the one hand and the paradigm, tradition, and methods on the other. The research questions are explicitly stated – the author gives a sub-section titled “Research Questions” and clearly states all the questions that the study seeks to answer (Filhour, 2017). The questions are consistent with the study’s philosophical basis and ideological orientation.
The author gives a brief but concise literature review under the background section summarizing the existing body of knowledge related to the problem of interest. The literature review provides a solid basis for the new study by outlining its significance to the nursing profession. Key concepts are adequately defined conceptually, the ideological orientation, which is appropriate for the problem made explicit.
Method
Appropriate procedures were used to safeguard the participants’ rights by obtaining their consent before taking part in the study. The study was subject to external review thus approval was given by the institutional board review of the designated level 1 trauma academic center and the associated university where the researcher was a student was a doctorate student. However, the nature of the study did not involve any form of intervention and thus there was no need to design it in a way that minimizes risks while maximizing benefits to participants. The identified research tradition is congruent with the methods used to collect and analyze data.
Additionally, an adequate amount of time was spent with the participants as interviews took between 50 and 75 minutes. The design unfolded in the field thus giving the researcher the opportunity to capitalize on early understandings by allowing the participants to tell stories in their own words. This aspect gave the design the reflexivity needed to probe any underlying complex issues, seek clarification, and obtain sensitive information. The researcher also ensured an adequate number of contacts with study participants by providing questions a few days before the interview, which gave the respondents adequate time to organize their thoughts.
The population of interest was adequately described as suffering males following blunt trauma. The setting and sample were described in sufficient detail for the reader to understand what the process entailed. The approach used to recruit participants was appropriate as data was obtained from the medical’s trauma center registry to identify potential participants. In addition, the best sampling was used to enhance information richness and address the needs of the study. Similarly, the sample size of 17 participants was adequate as data saturation was achieved at that size.
Data gathering methods were appropriate using interviews and open-ended questions. However, data were not gathered through two or more methods and thus triangulation may not have been achieved. The researchers asked the right questions and recordings were made appropriately using digital audio recordings. A sufficient amount of data was gathered given that the interviews lasted for over an hour. Additionally, the data were of sufficient depth and richness due to the open-ended questions used and the aspect of allowing participants to respond in their own words.
The data collection and recording procedures are adequately described and they appear appropriate. The data were also collected in a manner that minimized bias or behavioral distortion by excluding participants who could not speak fluently in English given the phenomenological nature of the study. In addition, the person collecting the data was appropriately trained given that he was a doctorate student. Different methods were used to enhance the trustworthiness of the data (and analysis) and the description of those methods was adequate. Similarly, various appropriate and sufficient methods were used to enhance credibility. The researcher also documented research procedures and decision processes sufficiently hence, the findings are auditable and confirmable.
Results
Data management and analysis methods were sufficiently described and the analysis strategy was compatible with the research tradition, the nature, and type of data gathered. The analysis yielded an appropriate product in the form of thematic patterns. The analytic procedures suggested the possibility of bias and thus after analysis, the participants were asked to validate the identified themes. The findings were effectively summarized with supporting arguments and the themes generated adequately captured the meaning of data. Additionally, it appears that the researcher satisfactorily conceptualized the themes in the data. The analysis yielded an insightful and meaningful picture of the phenomenon under investigation. The themes are logically connected to each other to form a convincing and integrated whole. Figures and tables were used effectively to summarize conceptualizations and themes were linked to the conceptual framework cogently.
Discussion
The findings are interpreted within an appropriate frame of reference and within the context of prior studies. However, the study’s limitations are not mentioned and the report does not address the issue of the transferability of the findings. Nevertheless, the researcher discusses the implications of the study for clinical practice and the implications are reasonable and complete.
Global Issues
The report is well written, organized, and sufficiently detailed for critical analysis. The description of the methods, findings, and interpretations is sufficiently rich and vivid. The researcher’s clinical qualifications and experience are not mentioned but the study’s findings appear to be trustworthy and thus I have confidence in the truth-value of the results. Finally, the study contributes meaningful evidence that can be used in nursing practice.
Reference
Filhour, L. D. (2017). The lived experience of suffering of males after blunt trauma: A phenomenological study. Journal of Trauma Nursing, 24(3), 193-202.