Assignment -

Qualitative Article -

Data Collection

• What strategies were used to collect the data (e.g., semi-structured interviews, open-ended interviews, chart reviews, etc.)?
• Was there a rationale given for data collection tools used?
• Did the study collect data using a validated instrument (e.g., Beck's depression scale)?
• If an instrument was used, describe the instrument
• Did the researchers provide the reliability and validity of the instruments used (e.g., Cronbach alpha #).
• If the researchers provided a Cronbach alpha, explain what the number means.
• Were the data collection methods appropriate for this study?

Procedures

• Did the researchers adequately describe the data collection methods?
• Do these methods seem appropriate?
• If staff were used, were they appropriately trained (this will be stated in the article)?

Trustworthiness or Credibility

• Did the researchers address trustworthiness or credibility?
• If addressed, what methods were described (e.g., inter-rater reliability or reflexivity)

Data Analysis

• How was the data analyzed (e.g., content analysis, grounded theory iteration, phenomenology process)?
• Did the authors describe the data analysis methods?

Findings

• What were the findings?
• Did the researchers summarize categories or themes with use of excerpts and supporting arguments?
• Were the categories or themes insightful, provocative, authentic and meaningful picture?
• Did the researcher report limitations of the study?

Interpretation

• Were the findings interpreted within the appropriate context (theme or category)?
• Were the findings discussed within context of previous studies?

Implications

• Did the researchers discuss implications for clinical practice?
• Do the implications affect nursing practice?

Quantitative Article -

Data Collection and Measurement

• What strategies were used to collect the data (e.g., semi-structured interviews, open-ended interviews, chart reviews, etc.)?
• Were the data collection methods appropriate for this study?
• Was there a rationale given for data collection tools used?
• What were independent and dependent variables (look at the Methods section and Tables in the article)?
• Did the study collect data using a validated instrument (e.g., Beck's depression scale)?
• If an instrument was used, describe the instrument
• Did the researchers provide the reliability and validity of the instruments used (e.g., Cronbach alpha #).
• If the researchers provided a Cronbach alpha, explain what the number means.

Data Analysis

• What statistical tests were used to analyze the data (e.g., t-test, ANOVA, logistic regression)?
• Were the results significant (look at the p value, which is 0.05 or 0.01)?
• What do the results tell you about the plausibility of the hypotheses (you have to decide it the findings answered the research question)?

Discussion and Implications

• What were the major findings?
• Are these results generalizable?
• Did the researcher report limitations of the study?
• What are the implications for nursing practice?

Articles -

Quantitative article - Apostolo, J.L.A., Cardoso, D.F.B., Rosa, A.I., & Paul, C. (2014). The effect of cognitive stimulation on nursing home elders: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 46(3), 157-166.

Qualitative article - Logie, C.H., James, L., Tharao, W., & Loutfy, M. R. (2011). HIV, gender, race, sexual orientation, and sex work: A qualitative study of intersectional stigma experienced by HIV-positive women in Ontario, Canada. PLOS Medicine, 8(11), e1001124.