QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Critical Appraisal of Quantitative Research

Critical Appraisal of Quantitative Research

The effect of music on preoperative anxiety in day surgery - A quantitative study

Critical appraisal of this paper has been done with regards to the usage of Critical Appraisal Skills Programme on the basis of the evidence in the research.

Did the Study ask a clearly focused Question?

The aim of the study has been achieved by ensuring that the question of the study was focused. The study that has been made has been on anxiety that an individual experiences in a day surgery. However, music plays a vital role and it can help the individual in decreased anxiety. The study has tested hypothesis with regards to the patients who listen to music and are able to reduce the amount of anxiety they experience. Research that has been conducted previously with regards to music reveals that music plays a major role in reducing anxiety. However, there are limitations because of mythological issues with regards to the generalizability of the results. Generalizability refers to the predictions that are made by the researcher on the basis of their experience. Reasoning is used by the researchers when generalizing the findings of the studies. After sufficient data that supports the hypothesis is collected, behaviour of the data is formulated. However, it cannot be classified as conclusive or exhaustive because of its foundation in probability (Greenhalgh 2006, pp. 100).

Was this a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and was it appropriately so?

The method of research that has been chosen by the researcher was randomized controlled trial design. In 2004, this was used to assess anxiety that people face before and after they listen to music. There are different types of music that people listen to which include rock and roll music, Jazz, Tango and various other types (Crooke, et.al. 2005, pp. 47).

Rock and roll is a kind of music that was established in the United States in the early 1950s. This music was a combination of the country music, blues and gospel music. The instruments used in rock and roll music have been different in different times. Initially piano and saxophone were the lead instruments in rock and roll music, then they were replaced by guitars in late 1950s, and since then it has been the lead instrument in rock and roll music. Besides this, there are many other types of music that people listen to and all the types have a different impact on the people. With regards to anxiety, the study that has been conducted by the researcher tells that music plays a major role in reducing the level of anxiety in people who have to experience surgeries (Greenhalgh 1997, pp. 740).

Were participants appropriately allocated to intervention and control groups?

The participants were allocated to an intervention (n ¼ 60), placebo (n ¼ 60) or control group (n ¼ 60) (Crooke, et.al. 2005, pp. 47). Furthermore, measures of anxiety were also carried out before and after the day surgery and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was ...