Researchers Burns and Grove
Burns and Grove (2009) define a critical appraisal of research as a “systematic, unbiased, careful examination of all aspects of a study to come up with the merits, limitations, meaning, and significance based on previous research experience and the knowledge of the topic” (p. 694). They state that a critical appraisal of any given work gives support to clinical practice as an important and basic component of clinical work. It also provides a framework for achieving a balanced evaluation strengths and weaknesses of any research study. The reason for conducting any critical analysis of a given article is that it provides readers with an opportunity to understand a subject that has been researched on so that they can make informed decisions. In addition, it provides a basis for improving normal practices.
Collection of Information about Diabetes
In this research, the authors did not specify the theoretical framework upon which the research questions were to be based on. On the other hand, the researchers needed to specify the rationale for their study in the literature review to build a justification for their study by coming up with a problem statement on why this study is significant and how it adds value to the general body of information on adolescent diabetes. In order to explore this study, Carroll and Marrero collected information or data through focus groups and reasoned together to generate ideas and their hypotheses.
Moreover, the authors hypothesized that adolescents with diabetes were not much different from others and that the progression in this particular case of adolescents with diabetes into adulthood is profoundly affected by fear of normal activities (Grove, 2007). However, this clearly revealed the increased responsibility, which the adolescents went through in their daily lives. From this hypothesis, it is also clear that relationships between adolescents and their friends, parents and schools are characterized by many conflicts. This is due to either failure to take responsibility in their relationship with adolescent who suffer from diabetes or exerting too much control in the individuals’ diabetes management, which has been noted to cause feelings of helplessness.
Carroll and Marrero’s Assumptions
Carroll and Marrero have come up with several assumptions. For instance, they assumed that the study was wide enough to capture events. In addition, the authors assumed the criterion used to select the sample. However, they failed do state the criteria for exclusion that they used in the sample selection. Another assumption made in the study is that information collected from various sources such as sample groups, interviews, questionnaires, and others was correct. As a result, it is clear that, by not describing these, the reader is not guaranteed that participants with unusual experiences have been included or that the samples were biased. Moreover, the information gathered by the researchers was published in professional books and other journals such as “The Diabetes Educator” which is mainly for professionals and practitioners (Polit & Beck, 2008). In addition, the authors assume that they will succeed in reaching the targeted audience. Furthermore, concepts or explanations in everyday life gathered have also been assumed.
In the literature review, the authors have not stated whether their conclusions were consistent with the existing theory and, therefore, the review is limited because only one study has been cited outside the United States and in Canada. Similarly, the authors have failed to explain if this was deliberate or it was occasioned by lack of research from other countries. Moreover, it was notable that the suggested literature review should have contained current sources and in particular, those collected in less than ten years before the publication. Alternatively, this should only be neglected if the document has been noted to have a focus on the past and, therefore, understanding any changes on how issues are viewed as years proceeds (Burns & Grove, 2009). Since most of the research done by Carroll and Marrero is known to have been carried out between twenty and thirty seven years ago, it has therefore become so hard to actualize about findings in a dated reference. In addition, it is not possible to provide a reasoned comparison between the behavior of adolescents in relation to their relatives as well as the environment in which they live.
Methodology
The methodology used in this study was not connected to any defined theoretical framework since the researchers did not specify any. However, it can be noted that Carroll and Marrero employed the services of a highly qualified team. The team mostly relied on collected data from the ground which they clearly outlined and analyzed the information. This was in addition to existing theories, which may not be extremely reliable sources and would have greatly influenced the results. Otherwise, the study team used a few themes in trying to explain some concepts involved in the experience faced by adolescents who suffered from diabetes. In addition, in the use of the themes, it is crucial to note that there was coding of information and especially words to represent the particular themes of interest.
Another significant thing to note on this research is the use of figures and diagrams, which helped to show ideas clearly were employed in this literature to ensure that results were appropriate and that these key themes were understandable to the readers (Grove, 2007). Furthermore, the authors used quotes skillfully and inserted them in the literature so as to emphasize the experience of young adolescents with Diabetes from different sources and, therefore, the reader is assured that a number of people were involved. This makes readers to understand and welcome the experience of the adolescents. Unfortunately the authors of this literature have made it limited since they have not discussed any new theory which could help in making the study more comprehensive and instrumental to other research groups and readers who could benefit in a big way from it. Unlike this article, authors mostly come up come with certain ideas to explain something (Polit & Beck, 2008).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the work by Carroll and Marrero, from a scholarly approach, clearly demonstrates that the two researchers achieved their aim. This based on the fact that they have made a significant contributions to the body of knowledge as far as adolescent and diabetes are concerned. Indeed, the researchers came up with important themes, through a qualitative approach, in order to express the experiences of youths suffering from diabetes. However, it certainly would be hard for readers to be able to read and understand this study. This is because; the research lacks tangible information, which specifically explains how the focus groups were able to carry out their activities. In addition, the researchers do not explain the type of setting in which they took place and, therefore, the validity of this study is negatively affected by the nature of the focus groups’ methods and principles used to do this particular work. Moreover, the reflexivity of the researcher is not clearly expressed in this study. Although the researchers agreed that traditional research on testing and treatment of diabetes had been given priority, they suggested that the developmental consequences of the disease needed to be researched further. However, they did not propose any framework for doing so.
References
Burns, N., & Grove, S. K. (2009). The practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence, 6th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders. ISBN: 978-1-4160-5468-9.
Grove, S. K. (2007). Statistics for health care research: A practical workbook. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Polit, F. D., & Beck, T. C. (2008). Nursing Research: generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.