Analysis of Article
(Author, Department, University,
Analysis of Article
In an article researchers worked on a counselling method, i.e. Motivational Interviewing by school nurses, in the prevention of childhood obesity (Bonde, Bentsen, & Hindhede, 2014).
Who is the study sample?
In the study (Bonde et al., 2014), researchers took interviews of 12 school nurses, so the study sample is nurse representing a population of nurses assigned for motivational interviewing of students to prevent childhood obesity.
Is the study sample generalizable?
The study sample could not generalized as the nurses of the study had long working experiences. Whereas, sometimes less experienced nurses may also work in schools, who would show different perceptions about motivational interviewing.
How was the sample obtained?
The study was based on purposive sample of interviews taken from 12 school nurses working in 12 different schools in five different areas. Those interviewed nurses were women working for schools for 9 to 20 years. Those nurses voluntarily participate in the interviews after they were informed about the training and motivational interviewing (Bonde et al., 2014).
What biases exist in sample selection?
The sample was selected without even blinding them about the study. On the other hand, researchers considered all the experienced nurses for the study that is a kind of bias as they didn’t consider less experienced nurses. Therefore, selection bias was there in sample selection.
What is the study design?
The study design is a qualitative case study performed on the basis of interviews. Case study is an illustrative description of occurrences or events. Qualitative case study refers to an in-depth study of a small number of people – in this study, nurses.
Describe the methodology.
In the study, researchers worked with school nurses. Researchers initially approved the study by the Child and Youth Department, and informed schools nurses in five different areas to take part in the study. They explained the selection criteria to the nurses, and selected 12 school nurses. Nurses also brought the record of three to four children with them. The interviews were taken in the school nurses’ office taking about one and half hour. The interviews were recorded. Those interviews dealt with perception and subjective experience of nurses about motivational interviewing. Interviews had open-ended questions. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed.
Describe alternative study methods. (Discuss advantages and disadvantages)
Among the other study methods that could be used include “Observations” and “Action Research”. Observations could help in giving an insight into a bigger idea; thereby, helping in designing the rest of the research. However, observations can result in changing the behaviour of participants, when they know they are being observed; thereby, affecting the outcomes. Moreover, a researcher may miss some points, while observing and taking notes. Action research could be a better method of research as a researcher could actively participate in the research and practical interventions are made. However, action research, in the present study, could only be completed by nurses (nurse researchers).
The research instrument included interviews having a number of questions focusing on the perspective and experience of nurses. Those interviews consisted of open-ended questions.
Describe reliability and validity of the instruments.
Reliability is the degree to which an instrument gives consistent and stable results. For a test to be reliable, it has also to be valid. Validity refers to the outcomes of the study to be closed to the truth by reducing the systematic errors. It helps in assuring researchers that they are using most appropriate methods or instruments. The instrument (interview questions) was reliable in the study as they were open-ended questions allowing nurses to think about their practices. However, the instrument was not validated with the help of observation that can decrease the gaps between what nurses say and what they actually do.
Describe the four biases.
Biases can be in the research, observation, selection, and recalling the information during an interview. Research bias is minimal in the present study as it has a well-defined study design, measurement, and sample. In the study, there is no observation bias as researchers performed little observation of the nurses and rely completely on the interviews. Slight selection bias is found when researchers considered only experienced nurses. However, this can be occurred due to the shortage of less-experienced nurses. The recall bias is minimal as the nurses were already prepared and came with full information.
Reference
Bonde, A. H., Bentsen, P., & Hindhede, A. L. (2014). School nurses’ experiences with motivational interviewing for preventing childhood obesity. The Journal of School Nursing, 30(6), 448-455.
