Critique of Research Studies Part 2
Quantitative
Resilience and Associated Factors among Mainland Chinese Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
Method
Protection of Human Rights
All selected participants were made to consent before they filled the structured questionnaire. The consenting was to make sure that the participation was voluntary. The study ensured that human rights were protected as no participant was forced to participate. Also, the study was conducted only on participants above 18years which was the eligibility criteria. The included participants had undergone breast surgery, were aware of breast cancer and had sufficient knowledge to participate in the study. The study did not include patients with cancer recurrence. Besides, the study was approved by the Ethics Committee of China Medical University, an assurance that the study was justified and followed the right procedure.
Research Design
The method used for the study was cross-sectional which was conducted in the Department of Breast Surgery at the First Hospital of China Medical University. The study was conducted for one year, between November 2014 and June 2015. The selection of the hospital was suitable for the study because it provides breast cancer services to all the people in northern China. The selection of the participants was also a representative of the total number of women who visit the hospital for the service. The research design is more preferred because it allows collection of information on the entire population. This makes the results more generalizable; thus the study was strong for the topic.
Population and Sample
Population sample for the study included 224 participants who were all issued with a questionnaire to fill. Out of the sample population, only 220 submitted their questionnaires. The sample included only women above 18 years and those who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Recurrent patients were excluded from the study so that the study could find out the resilience level of newly diagnosed women. The final research was conducted on the remaining 213 adults who had experienced breast cancer surgery. The sample size was well selected, and it was a representative of the total population; thus the results can be used as a representative of another population.
Data collection and measurement
Data collected was both demographic and clinical and it was collected from both the participants and the hospital charts. Data collection was done using questionnaires. Demographic data collected from the sample participants included the age of the participants, marital status, monthly family income, BMI, insurance status and religion. The information relate to the disease was the cancer stage, cancer type, the type of surgery, history of the family as well as the time the patent has been suffering from the disease. All the information was relevant in assessing the resilience of cancer patients after a surgical procedure.
Procedure
The measurement was conducted using various techniques Connor-Davidson Resilience scale, social support rating scale, questionnaires, and Herth Hope Index. The medical coping modes questionnaires were used to measure the coping strategy of each patient where 3-types of coping strategies were assessed. Avoidance, confrontation, and acceptance-resignation were all measured for the study participants. To assess the resilience level, Connor-Davidson Resilience scale was used which was translated to Chinese for easy comprehension. The scale indicates the level of resilience for an individual. This scale is among the best as it evaluates individuals’ scores and the level of resilience of the individuals. It was a valid test, and the information gathered using the scale included strength, optimism, and tenacity. Social support rating scale was used to collect data on social support. The scale measured objective support, subjective support as well as support utilization. The social status was measured, and the highest score indicated better support given to those patients. The hope of these patients was measured using a Herth Hope Index, and a score was recorded which revealed the hoe the patients had for the future. All the measurements in this study related to the research topic and the study design employed, making it appropriate for quantitative research.
Qualitative
Parenting Practices of African Immigrants in Destination Countries: A Qualitative Research Synthesis
Method
Protection of participant’s rights
Since the study used research literature from previous studies, the rights if the participants were not well protected. The team members of the researchers selected the articles from the database were termed as eligible if they met the selection criteria. The members of the research team relied upon the articles that were selected by the research librarian, an indication that the research team requested permission from the research librarian. Although permission was granted by the research librarian, the rights of the participants were not protected. But we can assume that the researches of the articles had protected participants rights, making them ethical and well protected for future studies.
Research design and research tradition
The research method employed in this study was researched synthesis which comprised of both meta-summary and meta-synthesis of the available literature. Various databases were selected with the aid of librarian assistance. Two members were involved in the selection if the databases as well as the articles that were used in the study. The selection criteria for the articles were based on whether the articles reported qualitative research, whether they were written in English and whether they had an African Immigrant perspective. The criteria for selection and the research design were suitable for understanding the parenting practices of African immigrants and the challenges they faced in their destination countries.
Sample and Setting
The sample used for the study included 24 articles that met the criteria of selection. Databases were used to provide best articles that related to the topic. The sampling of the articles was determined by whether the articles met the sampling criteria and whether they provided relevant information for the African immigrants’ experiences in parenting and the challenges they faced while in their destination countries. The research lacked a particular setting because it aimed to synthesize the results of other qualitative studies.
Data collection
Data were collected from 24 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Two members were involved in the selection of the articles from a database. A research librarian also assisted in the identification and selection of the articles. Data collected from the literature was aimed to establish the parenting practices of African immigrants so that relevant policies could be suggested to strengthen African culture in their destination countries.
Procedures
The procedure used by the study was based on the previous literature as it aimed to compile the results of other studies on the parenting practices of African immigrants and the challenges they faced in their new environment. Databases were used to select the most suitable articles that met the selection criteria. The procedure was suitable for assessing the results of the previous article. The article could also include actual study so that it could be compared to research findings if the available literature.
Enhancement of Trustworthy
To enhance trustworthy of the research, key words were used I the selection of the articles. Also, selection criteria of the article base on whether the articles were in English, whether they were qualitative research and whether they communicated African immigrants are parenting practices perspectives and challenges faced.