Running head: EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ARTICLES 1

Evaluation of Quantitative and Qualitative Articles

EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ARTICLES 2

Evaluation of Qualitative and Quantitative Articles

Introduction

Most medical practitioners use research journals to answer specific questions about their

practices, enhance the quality of care, derive new research questions, amend health policy, as

well as to solve problems. Professionals who confront questions about practices and policies

require robust and best evidence-based research. There has been a growing emphasis on

evidence-based practice (EBP) to validate medical decision-making. Grove, Burns, & Gray

(2013) define EBP as the thorough integration of the optimal research evidence with medical

expertise, patient value, cost-efficient health care, and the provision of high-quality care. The

primary objective of this paper is to analyze the quantitative and qualitative peer reviewed

articles. The key goal is to simplify the terminology and the processes of the research for the

novice audience to better comprehend the concepts involved. Working in the health care facility

requires nurses to be acquainted with the research in a manner that enlightens their daily practice

(Parahoo, 2014). As such, they end up benefitting from the discussion that helps them to

understand the sequence of a research article that uses qualitative and quantitative designs.

Quantitative Research Article

Article Sand Jecklin, K., & Sherman, J. (2014). A quantitative assessment of patient

and nurse outcomes of bedside nursing report implementation. Journal of

clinical nursing, 23(19-20), 2854-2863.

Background This article seeks to describe the research study conducted to determine the

Information various benefits generated from bedside nursing shift report. Enhancing the

effectiveness of quality communication is one of the patient safety goals. The

article incorporates an abstract that includes different aspects of the research

EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ARTICLES 3

study.

Review of Numerous sources were reviewed by the authors to establish the need for the

Literature research and to stress the purpose of implementing shift report to a unified

technique of bedside nurse change handoff and to assess the new approach

concerning nurse and patient satisfaction and how it affects patient safety. The

review of the literature on nursing bedside report was centered on the process

of implementing bedside report which sought to describe the experiences

related to the implementation and clarifying how health care providers can

enact this change and the methods of enhancing the process of bedside report.

All sources used were useful to the topic and the citations within the article

were references appropriately.

Methodology The quasi-experimental pre and post-implementation study techniques were

used to carry out research. Seven surgical divisions at the hospital executed a

mix of documented and bedside nursing report. The sampling technique used

was found to be cost efficient and requiring less time.

Data Analysis The authors were able to study patients, and caregivers' satisfaction, treatment

inaccuracies, overtime nursing, and patient falls. The baseline data was

collected while using "the patient judgment of nursing care' survey tool which

was adapted by Larrabee. The survey tool incorporated at least 17 items with

five-point response options that analyzed the nurses' behavior, including

treating patients kindheartedly and with respect, listening, teaching, and

communicating to patients about their care, passing patient information during

handoff, including the patient's in their report discussions, etc. The patient
EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ARTICLES 4

sample targeted were identified through circulating letters to patients who had

been admitted to the facility for 48 hours and were ready to be discharged from

surgical units during the period of data collection baseline.

An online survey was also conducted on nurses to gauge their perception on

shift report. The study was based on the literature that emphasized on identified

benefits and drawbacks of bedside report. Likewise, baseline data was gathered

to evaluate the patient falls during the hand-off process, medication errors, and

caregivers over time.

Conclusion The results of the study showed that there was a tremendous improvement

during post implementation which was impacted by the shift in bedside report.

It also revealed a decrease in patient falls from 20 to 13 during before and after

implementation. The nurse's over time showed no substantial shift between the

starting point and the post-implementation period. The authors then concluded

several positive findings of the implementation of blended bedside handoff

report. The paper includes information on the sampling and study design that

was easy to read. Statistical evidence is demonstrated in a manner that is

concise and properly defined. The implications and the results are discussed

openly and objectively.

Researchers Conclusion

The overall results indicated decreased patient falls during the shift as well as medication

errors at 12 weeks post-implementation of the new system of reporting. At the same time, an

increased nurse accountability, patient safety concerns, and patient involvement in care were
EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ARTICLES 5

noted. These findings were found to be compatible with the conclusion as patient safety is an

essential component of quality care.

Protection and Consideration

As a way to protect the human participants, where patients were found to be unable to

complete survey forms, their family members were encouraged to take part in the study.

Similarly, when the researchers collected the survey forms, they were sealed in an envelope to

protect the participants identity and boost confidentiality.

Strengths and Limitations

The study generated several strengths. Numerous positive results were documented due to

blending recorded and bedside reports at the university hospital. Similarly, nurses perceived

increased accountability, patient participation in care, as well as prevention of patient safety

issues due to the execution of bedside report. Despite the strengths, various limitations were

identified during the study. One was that a convenient sample was used to identify patients who

were waiting to be discharged and caregivers whose home-based component was a medical,

surgical unit. Secondly, both the patients and the nurses reported some degree of inconsistencies

while using the mixed bedside reporting process.

Evidence Application

Based on the evidence, it is clear to say that facilitating the mixed approach of both recorded

and bedside handoff report will most likely increase and improve patient perception of

interaction among caregivers, patient safety, and patient participation in care. This approach may

also significantly affect medication errors, and patient falls during the process of handoff.

Besides, further studies on measurable results of mixed documented and bedside handoff report
EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ARTICLES 6

are demanded in all functions of care amenities to offer supplementary records of greatest

practices with regards to shift change reports.

Qualitative Research Article

Article Slatore, C. G., Hansen, L., Ganzini, L., Press, N., Osborne, M. L., Chesnutt, M.

S., & Mularski, R. A. (2012). Communication by nurses in the intensive care

unit: a qualitative analysis of domains of patient-centered care. American

Journal of Critical Care, 21(6), 410-418.

Background The article was designed to carry out qualitative analysis on nurses

Information communication to patients. It is believed that in patient-centered care, effective

communication is an essential element and facilitator. Caregivers engage in an

interaction with patients and their relatives while in the ICU. The significance of

understanding, analyzing, and applying research becomes crucial when so much

effort is put on professional responsibility and ability. The article includes an

abstract to summarize the main features of the study. However, background

information is included which clearly demonstrates the importance of effective

communication in patient-centered facilities.

Review of The review of literature focused on two overlapping areas that steered interaction

Literature behaviors that emanated from nurses' responsibility while in the ICU. The

leading area of interest was caregivers felt that their primary responsibility is to

act as an intermediary between the physician and the patient and their families.

The second element was that nurses are or are not willing to discuss patient

information with them and their families. Under the review of the literature, the

researcher was able to discuss what is known about understanding nurses'

EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ARTICLES 7

communication in particular domains, establish the significance of the

investigation, identify gaps in knowledge, as well as situate the study contained

by the existing body of study.

Methodology The study utilized multiple cases and the prospective research designs. These

designs were relevant as they allowed the researcher to explore the bigger picture

of the situation and develop theories, establish deficiencies, and make a

judgment of the current practices. The study was carried out in a medical ICU

unit with a twenty-six-bed capacity. The sample of the patient was targeted on

ICU patients with the end-stage liver disease. About 320 hours of interactions in

the ICU as well as 50 interviews with 30 nurses, were reviewed to evaluate

communication interaction into five patient-centered care realms.

Data Analysis The data analysis and collection were focused on human experiences. The data

collected reported that nurses supported the significance of shared responsibility,

power, and therapeutic alliance themes; however, they had limited

communication interactions in these areas. The authors further stated that the

nurses' roles directly influenced communication behaviors as intermediaries of

information between physicians and the patients with their relatives and what

they are and are not eager to discuss with the parties concerned. The interviews

used helped to control its content and to increase accuracy in the results.

Conclusion The authors concluded that critical care coupled with high-quality

communication is a collective power. As such, being aware of how caregivers

enter into contact with patients in ICU can help improve future patient-centered
EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ARTICLES 8

care communication practices. All key evidence related to the original purpose of

the research are discussed in relation to whether the data promotes or negates the

research question. It is clear that the article describes the nurses' experiences in

clinical practice. The researchers' findings were accurate and were found to

relate to the data collected. Similarly, the process of obtaining results was clear

and appropriate to the study. It is evident that the investigator was mindful of his

own knowledge and assumptions.

Researchers Conclusion

The researchers concluded that communication is an essential tool for understanding how

nurses and patients with their families engage in specific environments while at the ICU in

patient-centered facilities. These interactions are deemed essential to help improve patient-

centered communication in care centers. This conclusion relates systematically and logically to

the researcher's aim addressed as well as the evidence. It clearly outlines the experiences of

nurses interactions with patients and their families. The evidence established a high influence

with the nurses role as the intermediaries of information between physicians and the patients

which presented an accurate association with the conclusion. While reading through the paper, it

can be observed that there were no alterations attempted to fit predetermined notions.

Protection and Consideration

The data collection design mostly focuses on human subjects. The data collection utilized

interviews which were found to be an appropriate method in qualitative and descriptive design as

it concentrated on human subjects. To protect the human subjects, each patient-centered care
EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ARTICLES 9

domain was categorized as per their uniqueness. As such, the researchers sought to understand

the patients' unique personalities outside of their ailment.

Strengths and Limitations

The research had various significant advantages. The key strength was from the fact that

severe qualitative design was used and the analysis was clearly monitored by a theoretical

method to facilitate an extensive and organized assessment and generate findings in a manner

that can enhance future studies and interventions. Likewise, since observations were conducted

on only six patients, about 315 hours of ICU communication interaction and 50 complete

interviews were observed to perform an in-depth analysis (Slatore et al., 2012). A 98 percent of

participation from the caregivers guaranteed less risk of partiality response (Slatore et al., 2012).

The study also featured various drawbacks. First, the study was carried out in a teaching

hospital among patients suffering from the ESLD. Thus, the results are less likely to apply to

other patient population and settings. Secondly, there may be interaction differences between the

nurses working during the day with those working at night, because, when the night shift nurses

were cross-examined, the interaction with patients and families was not observed.

Evidence Application

The findings suggest that communication is an essential element in a patient-centered care

facility. The patient-centered facility is a critical care unit that requires collaborative efforts that

take the lead of all services and know-how provided by a team of the intensive care unit

community. It is crucial to note that the research does not automatically substantiate a point but

highlights an issue that requires further studies.

EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ARTICLES 10

Conclusion

Research articles undergo many review process to ensure that academic criterions are

fulfilled. A methodical approach to analyzing and critiquing a research article serves an

important role of interpreting evidence into policies and practice. It is believed that every nurse

possesses this skill.

EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ARTICLES 11

References

Burton, M. A., & Ludwig, L. J. M. (2014). Fundamentals of nursing care: concepts, connections

& skills. FA Davis.

Grove, S. K., Burns, N., & Gray, J. (2013). The practice of nursing research: Appraisal,

Synthesis, and generation of evidence. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Parahoo, K. (2014). Nursing research: principles, process, and issues. Palgrave Macmillan.

Sand Jecklin, K., & Sherman, J. (2014). A quantitative assessment of patient and nurse

outcomes of bedside nursing report implementation. Journal of clinical nursing, 23(19-

20), 2854-2863.

Slatore, C. G., Hansen, L., Ganzini, L., Press, N., Osborne, M. L., Chesnutt, M. S., & Mularski,

R. A. (2012). Communication by nurses in the intensive care unit: a qualitative analysis

of domains of patient-centered care. American Journal of Critical Care, 21(6), 410-418.

Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3992836/