NURS FPX 5005 Assessment 2 Quantitative and Qualitative Research Publication Critique

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Capella university

NURS-FPX 5005 Introduction to Nursing Research, Ethics, and Technology

Prof. Name

Date

Quantitative and Qualitative Research Publication Critique

Research is an organized process of investigation aimed at generating new knowledge. It validates existing theories, addresses challenges and enlightens decision-making. The research study raises ethical concerns such as informed consent, non-maleficence, autonomy and confidentiality. Informed consent protections safeguard research participants’ knowledge of the study’s aim, procedures and risks. Beneficence is addressed by growing the study’s positive outcomes. Non-maleficence confirms that the inquiry is intended to prevent any harm. Justice is upheld by safeguarding the right of all to have equal access to participation.

Moreover, respect for autonomy is supported by confirming voluntary participation without coercion. Privacy is preserved through secure, anonymized data handling (Gebreheat & Teame, 2021). This paper critically appraises two nursing research articles, one from quantitative and the other from qualitative research. The paper examines mental health issues in nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores methods, ethical concerns, and research findings, updates and guides current patient-centered care practices.

Quantitative Research Study

Serrano, J., Hassamal, S., Hassamal, S., Dong, F., & Neeki, M. (2021). Depression and anxiety prevalence in nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing Management, 52(6), 24–32. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.numa.0000752784.86469.b9

Strengths and Weaknesses 

The selected quantitative research addressed the problem of depression and anxiety rates among nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stressors like fear of disease transmission, resource shortages, and ethical dilemmas have impacted nurses’ health and patient care. The purpose is to assess the influence of the pandemic on mental issues in nurses and recognize strategies for nurse leaders to help reduce these issues. The research hypothesizes that nurses working under high-pressure conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic suffered higher intensities of psychological problems associated with those not exposed to these situations. The research utilized a descriptive methodology to understand nurses’ mental health outcomes by exploring their experiences during the pandemic.

The study’s data collection involved 472 nurses who contributed to an anonymous cross-sectional online survey. The survey used validated tools, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale to evaluate anxiety. Statistics examination involved descriptive data, chi-square tests and logistic regression to find predictors of depression and anxiety. Reporting procedures included frequencies, proportions and statistical comparisons of sociodemographic factors and mental health scores. The results showed that 48.7% of nurses felt stressed by COVID-19, with job roles, contact with COVID-19 patients and anxiety levels being key factors in depression and anxiety. 

NURS FPX 5005 Assessment 2 Quantitative and Qualitative Research Publication Critique

The strengths of the study are its relevance and timeliness. It addresses a very important issue affecting a critical sector of the healthcare workforce. Using validated tools such as the PHQ-9 and the GAD-7 certifies reliable measurements of depression and anxiety. Different nursing roles of certified assistants, staff nurses, registered nurses and advanced practice nurses generate an insightful view of mental health challenges. It is a well-structured methodology that has inclusion criteria and strong statistical analyses. It uses chi-square tests and logistic regression, making the study more reliable and replicable.

Another reason the study is more credible and of higher depth is because it includes attention to sociodemographic variables. However, some weaknesses are associated with the study. A 29.5% response rate leaves the study prone to response bias, as respondents do not comprise the whole population. The findings are limited to generalizability through convenience sampling. It cannot show the experiences of all departments or even healthcare setups. The cross-sectional design captures data. It prevents establishing causality between identified stressors and mental health outcomes. Although self-reported measures are convenient, they have a potential for under-reporting or over-reporting of symptoms. A further limitation is the over-representation of female nurses, who comprise 88.6% of respondents. The generalizability of male nurses is obstructed.

The study highlights anxiety and depression scores higher among non-clinical staff. This observation, which is on an unexpected side, is not pursued deeply. It leaves crucial unanswered questions. Contextual elements such as organizational and systemic influences on psychological conditions, remain relatively underexplored. The paper fails to explore other variables, like the specific work settings of nurses, coping mechanisms or emotional and physical demands for different roles. 

Ethical Implications 

The ethical implications of the impact of the pandemic on nurses’ mental health and patient care are vital in the healthcare setting. Ethical standards of human subjects are important in protecting contributors’ rights and health. It ensures that participation does not harm them and that their data is kept confidential. Informed consent safeguards members’ understanding of the unpaid contribution and their permission to leave at any time. Moreover, confidentiality protects participants’ sensitive data. It minimizes harm through support resources and helps prevent exacerbating nurses’ stress.

Justice confirms a diverse illustration of nurses, and beneficence guarantees the benefits of improved nurse health and patient care outweigh any risks. Assumptions underlying the analysis include voluntary participation, respect for personal well-being, anonymized data and the provision of support to mitigate emotional harm to human subjects. Ethical standards are crucial. They support patient and participant trust. It guarantees that research results recover healthcare practices without compromising mental well-being. These moral concerns impact human subjects by protecting their rights. Ethical guidelines improve nurses’ well-being, patient care and integrity in processes.

Significance of the Research Problem 

The research problem is substantial as it addresses the mental health crisis faced by nurses during the COVID-19 emergency. The study highlights the association between increased exposure to COVID-19 and heightened depression and anxiety. It is worsened by inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), fear of transmission and ethical dilemmas in care. This research problem is considerable to nursing practice as it highlights the necessity for directed interferences to reinforce the mental health of nurses. It improves their ability to provide quality care under stressful conditions.

Understanding these mental impacts is dynamic for nurse leaders and healthcare administrators to develop strategies to support nursing staff. It improves retention and safeguards better patient care outcomes. The study enhances healthcare by informing the development of complete mental health support programs for nursing staff. It reduces burnout and improves job satisfaction. The study guides nursing practice by highlighting areas where interventions are needed, such as stress management programs. It improves working conditions and provides better nurses’ health and patient safety.

Evaluating Quantitative Research for Patient Care Decisions

The study is a suitable source of evidence for informing patient care decision-making. It provides valuable insights into nurses’ mental problems during the pandemic. It highlights that mental health issues among nurses can lead to impaired decision-making. It reduced clinical performance and reduced patient safety. The research supports executing mental health interventions like counseling and peer support. It helps the well-being of healthcare workers and improves their clinical competence. Addressing burnout and stress is associated with higher rates of errors and compromised patient outcomes and care quality.

The study presents valid data from reputable sources. It includes peer-reviewed journals and professional organizations. The study justifies the CRAAP test criteria (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose). It provides a credible foundation for decision-making. Reliable PHQ-9 and the GAD-7 scales are used in the research to enhance their validity. It safeguards that the measurement of depression and anxiety in nurses is precise and consistent. The reliable findings across multiple studies and surveys within the research validate reliability. The study aligns with best practices by highlighting evidence-based strategies for managing nurses’ mental health.

Qualitative Research Study

Ashley, C., James, S., Williams, A., Calma, K., Mcinnes, S., Mursa, R., Stephen, C., & Halcomb, E. (2021). The psychological well‐being of primary healthcare nurses during COVID‐19: A qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(9), 3820–3828. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14937

Strengths and Weaknesses 

The article addresses the problem of mental well-being of Primary Healthcare (PHC) nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its purpose is to explore the strategies to cope with issues and the factors that influence approaches to support nurses, safeguard their health, and enhance patient safety. It is influenced by professional and public support, workplace stressors, and self-care strategies. The study hypothesizes that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted primary healthcare nurses’ psychological well-being. It emphasizes the nurses’ significant stressors, such as reduced work hours, job insecurity and negative patient interactions.

The paper underscores the importance of feeling valued and supported and being involved in decision-making at the workplace. These key factors contribute to better mental health outcomes. It discusses nurses’ coping strategies like exercise and healthy eating. The findings underscore the necessity for supportive rules and compositions to improve PHC staff psychological well-being and employment satisfaction. The paper employed a qualitative descriptive study involving 25 participants interviewed between June and August 2020, following a national survey. Data collection was done through audio-recorded semi-structured interviews to explore the skills of PHC staff during the pandemic.

NURS FPX 5005 Assessment 2 Quantitative and Qualitative Research Publication Critique

A targeted sampling approach was used to recruit participants. It guarantees diverse perspectives. Data were thematically analyzed to identify key stressors, coping mechanisms and workplace factors affecting their psychological well-being. Results emphasized challenges like increased workload, emotional strain and adaptive coping strategies like support systems. Findings highlighted the positive impact of professional and public support on nurses’ sense of value, while negative experiences heightened stress and anxiety. Participants adopted self-care strategies to cope like infection control, exercise and diet.

The study’s strength lies in its timely and relevant focus on staff mental health during the pandemic. Semi-structured interviews with 25 varied members allowed for in-depth exploration of personal experiences. Thematic analysis identified key stressors and coping strategies. The study provides valuable insights into the challenges nurses face during this crisis. However, the weaknesses of the study include potential sampling bias due to the use of purposive sampling.

It restricts the diversity of perspectives and reduces the generalizability of the results. The small sample size of 25 participants limits the ability to apply the results to a broader population of healthcare workers. Moreover, reliance on self-reported data could introduce bias, as participants are influenced by their perceptions or external factors. The study offers a limited exploration of organizational factors. It provided deeper insights into structural influences on nurses’ health. The short-term focus on direct mental impacts does not address the long-term effects on psychological health.

Ethical Implications

Ethical standards protect the contributors’ rights, safety and well-being. It is ensured in the development of research. The study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with healthcare workers. It embraces ethical principles through confidentiality and informed consent. It preserves the privacy of the nurses and allows trust in the research. In preserving autonomy and avoiding harm, the researcher permitted the participants to express their experiences free from when they experience revenge or judgment. It is important to establish the validity of the data. Since the subject matter involves discussing mental health and workplace stressors, ethical considerations of the human subjects determined the nature of the research. The study used self-reported data. Response authenticity could be affected by social desirability or fear of revealing vulnerabilities.

The respondents’ confidentiality had to be protected. It considers the potential for stigma or negative repercussions of expressing psychological stress. The study assumes nurses’ mental well-being influences patient care. It presumes that ethical research practices safeguard participants and enhance the credibility and applicability of the findings to improve healthcare outcomes. It emphasizes the need for ethical research practices to defend the findings and ensure that they improve staff health and the quality of care without harming the participants.  

Significance of the Research Problem 

The research problem explores the mental health of PHC nurses during the pandemic. It is significant to nursing practice as it addresses the critical issue of nurse’s mental health. Understanding the stressors, coping mechanisms and mental impact on nurses is crucial for developing strategies to support their well-being and quality of patient care. The study nurtures a supportive work setting for nurses and enhances healthcare by identifying challenges and self-care strategies. Executing the survey findings could enhance nurse retention. It reduces burnout and improves patient outcomes. The study certifies that healthcare providers are mentally and emotionally equipped to deliver quality care.

Evaluating Qualitative Research for Patient Care Decisions

The study is a suitable source of evidence for informing patient care decision-making. It provides valuable insights into the psychological well-being of nurses and impacts patient care quality. The study highlights key stressors and coping mechanisms that affect nurse performance. It suggests that addressing these factors can lead to better patient outcomes. The data is valid as it draws on real-world experiences of nurses during a critical time and employs reliable data collection methods like semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.

The study meets the CRAAP test criteria. It provides a credible foundation for decision-making. At the same time, the study’s insignificant trial size and dependence on self-reported information restrict generalizability. Its conclusions align with best practices by emphasizing the significance of expert and community provision for nurses and enhancing their ability to provide quality care.

Conclusion

The conclusions drawn from quantitative and qualitative studies reveal the significant mental impacts of the pandemic on health staff. Quantitative research indicates higher rates of depression and anxiety among nurses. Qualitative research provides insight into their stressors and coping mechanisms. Such understandings are important in forming nursing practice and creating a supportive work environment in healthcare facilities.

References

Ashley, C., James, S., Williams, A., Calma, K., Mcinnes, S., Mursa, R., Stephen, C., & Halcomb, E. (2021). The psychological well‐being of primary healthcare nurses during COVID‐19: A qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(9), 3820–3828. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14937

Gebreheat, G., & Teame, H. (2021). Ethical challenges of nurses in COVID-19 pandemic: Integrative review. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 14(14), 1029–1035. https://doi.org/10.2147/jmdh.s308758

NURS FPX 5005 Assessment 2 Quantitative and Qualitative Research Publication Critique

Serrano, J., Hassamal, S., Hassamal, S., Dong, F., & Neeki, M. (2021). Depression and anxiety prevalence in nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing Management, 52(6), 24–32. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.numa.0000752784.86469.b9