Step 1: Introduction
Write an introduction to the topic and end the paragraph with a thesis statement. The introduction should include 2-3 attention grabbing statements and end with 1 concise thesis statement that describes the overall purpose of your paper.
Step 2: Comparing Quantitative and Qualitative Research
Students should provide a robust discussion on the differences between quantitative and qualitative research. This discussion should also include key characteristics of both types of research and the data collection processes of each that make them unique to one another. To address this topic more thoroughly consider the following questions:
a. how is data classified ?
b. how is data collected?
c. how is data analyzed?
d. how do the studies differ?
Peer reviewed and/or textbooks should support this discussion. This section should be 1-2 paragraphs.
Step 3: Connecting your POI to the Literature
In this section, you should be considering the results and clinical implications from both studies; quantitative meta-analysis and/or systematic review and qualitative single study. How do they support your PICO clinical question/POI? For this discussion, you should include the actual outcome you outlined in your PICO/clinical question. Then consider/describe how the results and data collected contribute to practice supporting that outcome measures? Consider the scope of the Advanced Practice Nurse role throughout your discussion. This section should be 1-2 paragraphs and include peer reviewed and/or textbooks to support this discussion.
Step 4: Appraisal Tools and Studies (see PDF version of the instructions)
While this section serves as the next step in the paper, you will not be writing anything in the paper for this section. Instead, you will need to submit your 2 completed appraisal tools; one on the quantitative meta-analysis and/or systematic review and one on your qualitative single study. Then be sure to also submit both of these studies along with your assignment. So in total you should 5 documents submitted into the assignment area: paper; 2 tools; 2 studies. Please label with your name and document type, i.e. McMullan T Final Paper; McMullan T Single Study
When completing the tools; be sure that you watch the video on how to complete the tools and are addressing each question that corresponds to that section of the tool. Use this box below to help you determine your options for correctly selecting your comparison studies. If you have questions, you should ask your primary faculty. Keep in mind that faculty will not pre-approve your studies, so please do not send them for approval, instead ask questions for understanding.
Quantitative/Qualitative Study Selection Options
Use this tool to complete the appraisals for both qualitative studies separately. Attach the completed tool to your paper or with your assignment. Use the link below to complete. You can save the document as a pdf, use the edit function to fill in or handwrite and scan back into the assignment area.
Appraisal Tool pdf or Download Appraisal Tool pdf or
Microsoft word version Download Microsoft word version
Microsoft word version Download Microsoft word version
Follow all steps carefully as the tool will guide you which steps to move to in each section of the tool.
For help on how to complete the tool, watch this video: “How to Complete the Appraisal”Links to an external site.
Step 5: Quantitative Meta-analysis and/or Systematic Review Discussion/Critique
In this section of the paper, you will discussing the appraisal completed from the tool and elaborating on the following areas in a thorough, detailed discussion. Please describe each of the following criterions:
purpose and findings
how participants or sample of studies were selected; was a sufficient sample of participants or studies met, why or why not? Be sure to specify how many studies and what types of study designs were included. You may also include how many participants were selected, why is this significant. What was the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Support with evidence from the study.
methodology and data collection; how does this influence the validity and reliability of findings? Review the methods and data collections sections of the study and include how you came to the conclusion that the findings are valid and reliable-support with evidence. You must distinguish both from one another to show understanding.
identify the level of evidence and significance of rating. Could the level have been higher if different criteria was used in their selection process? What influence does the inclusion/exclusion criteria have on the level of evidence?
support for using in practice based on quality rating; if you do not support use in practice, explain why.
All answers should be fully supported from information in the study. Discussions should be detailed and robust demonstrating a full understanding of the content. This section serves as a critical component to demonstrate understanding of the appraisal process and therefore should be one of the longer sections of the paper. It is expected to be 1-2 pages in length.
Step 6: Qualitative Single Study Article Discussion/Critique
In this section of the paper, you will discussing the appraisal completed from the tool and elaborating on the following areas in a thorough, detailed discussion. Please describe each of the following criterions as it relates to your POI:
purpose or new insights discovered
participant sample; include when data saturation or other criteria was used to determine the number of participants needed for participant selection, was it enough? How do you know that it was enough, not enough? Provide evidence to support your answer.
how was data interpreted? Provide details from the study on the data collection process and explain credibility, strengths, and weaknesses of the data collection process.
how were themes generated? Was the concept of confirmability, a measure of trustworthiness or neutrality met in this process? Were there new insights or a better understanding of the phenomenon-describe how this is met/unmet
support your level of evidence and quality rating, justify your answer and include concepts of dependability and transferability
All answers should be fully supported from information in the study. Discussions should be detailed and robust demonstrating a full understanding of the content. This section serves as a critical component to demonstrate understanding of the appraisal process and therefore should be one of the longer sections of the paper. It is expected to be 1-2 pages in length.
Step 7: Considering Risks and Ethics
Now that you have reviewed different types of research to support practice changes, you must think about how the impact of change might effect others. Are there any risks of ethical concerns? How will you ensure protection of participants. What processes will you put in place to support ethical conduct in practice? Consider the various types of ethical concerns and discuss how you will mitigate these risks and concerns. Is there any potential benefit or harm to your population? Include findings from your quantitative, qualitative studies and guideline or position statement as support in your answers.
To fully address this section you will choose from either option (a) or option (b) and address either:
(a) potential risks (i.e., psychological, loss of confidentiality, social, economic, or other). How will you mitigate the potential risks?
OR
(b) ethical concerns (i.e., vulnerable populations, patient rights, equity, anonymity, safety, conflict of interest, informed consent, or other). How will you mitigate the ethical concerns?
Additional support from textbooks and/or APA peer reviewed resources should be included. This section should be 2-3 paragraphs.
Step 8: Scope of Practice
Before you can implement changes, you must consider all of your findings from your literature search. While you should conduct a more thorough and exhaustive search before implementation, we want you to use the findings from this course to consider:
Discuss how the findings in your appraised qualitative study add or detract to the findings in your appraised quantitative study. Consider (a) transparency, (b) meaningfulness, (c) rationale for strategic decisions, (d) understanding of the conclusions and ideas generated, and (e)details and depth to understanding the implications, as applicable. Explain how these findings may help inform your approach to implementation of a practice/system change within the scope of your advanced practice nurse role.
When you are looking at how the qualitative study may add/detract from the quantitative findings, consider the following:
Qualitative findings must determine: believability/credibility of the findings which is more difficult than the concrete data quantitative data presents. To do this, researchers must determine if the findings were quite expected and didn’t really add to anything earth shattering that most already know to be true. So in essence, ask yourself would the findings be applicable to other settings or in other circumstances, why? Realizing the transferability of findings might actually create that moment of “AHA” for the researchers and not just a moment of “yes, this is what we expected all along.” Also, when looking at the results, researchers may also discover that because they created this moment of discovery they are actually creating a moment for a quantitative study to occur. Perhaps it means the development of a new screening tool, or a more concrete way to measure data that hasn’t been done before. Ultimately, the goal would be to create nursing implications creating real change.
Address each of these criterions in your answer and include proper support from peer reviewed resources (appraised studies/guideline) and/or textbooks. This section should be 2-3 paragraphs in length.
Step 9: Conclusion
Provide a conclusion paragraph to the paper summarizing all main points. A conclusion should NOT state any new information that was not previously addressed in the paper. While it can re-state the purpose of your writing, it should not repeat the thesis verbatim. Additionally, it should summarize the main points of each section.
