Research Assignment

Research Assignment

Article # 1

Sanford, J., Townsend-Rocchicciolli,J., Horigan, A., & Hall, P. (2011). A process of decision making by caregivers of family members with heart failure. Research & Theory for Nursing Practice, 25(1), 55-70.

1)What methods were put in place to ensure that the subjects were giving true informed consent?

The provision of authentic information regarding the purpose of study, the entire details encompassing the future consequences and requirements of the study to the participants make them in providing correct information. The biological tests can also be done in order to check the previous medical history or use of medication. The improvement of understanding of informed consent via easy language and simple sentences facilitates the true informed consent according to the level of patients` education.

2)What was the setting for the study?

The setting of the study was selected in accordance of the request of the participants. Participants required the privacy for the interview. Therefore, the study was conducted in homes of caregivers, library and places of employment.

3)Was the sample adequate for the research design that was selected?

The sample size of the study was 20, which was a very small size. The large sample size gives the more generalized outcomes in comparison of small size of sample. Therefore, this selected sample size was not adequate. The small sample size possesses the disadvantage to overlook the original statistical values of the perspective clinical information about heart failure. The most appropriate sample size must lie between 30 and 500 for the better results (Suresh & Chandrashekara, 2012).

4)Describe the data collection procedure.

The authors of the study used unstructured open-ended interviews for the collecting the data. They audio taped the whole interview and asked the questions starting from the statement like “Tell me about your….” They also noted down the important points requiring the explanation. Moreover, they completed the demographic data via interview.

5)What did the authors say about the reliability and validity of their data collection and analysis?

Authors mentioned the process of triangulation indicting the reliability and validity of the data. They checked the accuracy of the data via transcribing verbatim.

6)What demographic information was reported?

The demographic information included the characteristics such as sex, marital status, household income, race, and ethnicity, relationship with patient of HF, living arrangement, and employment status.

7)What were the variables that were studied?

The variables include the context for making decision, environment for making decision, the relationship of caregivers, patients ...