Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Embedding the Perceptions of People with Dementia into Quantitative Research Design
O’Rourke, Duggleby and Fraser (2015) in their paper set to study the quality of life in dementia patients. With an article published in the March publication Qual Life Res journal 2015, the authors set to explore the perspective of life among patients. They used a different research methodwhich used themes from two qualitative pieces of evidence which they linked to a clinical administrativedataset to define their focus and hypothesis. With the availability of rich literaturereview, they were able to come with a conclusive statement linking sadness and conflict as factors affecting the quality of life in the given study population.
Problem Statement
There are different perceptions of quality of life among patients with dementia.
Statement of Purpose
To describe the linkage between the findings from a qualitative research and clinical administrative dataseton patients perception of life and using the two to design a subsequent quantitative study.
Research Question(s)/Hypothesis
The sadness among dementia patients is associated with the perceived conflicts with family,friends, and staff.
The association between Sadness and conflict is increased with the increase in cognitive impairment.
Study Methods
The study was accomplished using a critical review of systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. The themes were then mapped into an administrative dataset determining the focus of the study and to formulate a hypothesis. A critical review of theliterature was done to confirm the existence of a knowledgeable gap and in supporting the design decisions.
Key Findings
With the use of meta-synthesis in this research, the researchers were able to analyze the quality of life of people with dementia. The research shows that the sadness experienced by the patients is often associated with the level of conflicts among the staff, family and also friends.
Citation
Wendy, D., Kimberly, D. F., & Hannah, M. O. (2015). Embedding The Perceptions Of People With Dementia Into Qualitative Research Design. Qual Life Res, 1-12.
The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Nurse’s Experience with End-Of-Life Care: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Calvin, Lindy, and Stefanie (2009) in their research explored how well the nurses understood their role as well as their perception and responsibilities in CVICU. In the research, the authors intended to examine a number of nurses using interviews to individually share their experience on the given research topic.
Problem Statement
The nurses have a different perception of their roles and responsibilities in the taking care of patients approaching the end of life in the cardiovascular intensive care unit.
Statement of Purpose
Nurses in CVICU previously expressed their worry in their care for people approaching the end of life. The study aims to understand the perception of the nurses about their responsibilities androles in the decision making in palliative care, intensity care and end of life for the patients.
Research Question(s)
What is the nurses’ perception of their roles in the intensity care in CVICU?
What are the factors that influence the end of life decision making in CVICU?
Method
Researchers used a qualitative descriptive design in the generation of a complete organized descriptive summary of the research topic. Nineteen nurses were interviewed individually regarding their experiences in their duty as healthcare practitioners in the CVICU setting and on their initiation of thechange in code status. They also used other data from previous studies as a source of literature for the study. The data was collected and analyzed using a descriptive approach.
Key Findings
The research had various findings from the Nurses’ discussion of their perception of theend of life care in the CVICU. Exhausting medical treatment, promoting of family presence, walking a fine line and acknowledging physicians authority were among the themes identified in the study.
Citation
Calvin, A. O., Cheryl, M. L., & Stefanie, L. C. (2009). The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Nurse’s Experience With End Of Life Care: A Qualitative Descriptive Study. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, 1-8
