Patricia Turner
Kaplan University
July16, 2013
Critiquing Design and Sampling Methodologies
Identification of design
Quantitative:
Foster-Fitzpatrick and colleagues used a comparative-experimental method design that involved a non-probability sampling of 100 hypertensive males to determine if crossing the leg at the knee during blood pressure measurement has an effect on the patient’s blood pressure reading? In this experimental research the implementation of blood pressure (independent variable) will be monitored, and the acquisition about cross-leg (dependent variable) will be measured. The hypotheses are not clearly stated, although the study does state expectations according to their findings “blood pressure readings may be artificially high if measured while an individual has a leg crossed at the knee” (Foster, et.al p. 2). One would suggest that researchers present simple hypotheses clearly and concisely so that readers will be able to understanding exactly what is being predicted.
Qualitative:
A phenomenology study was conducted involving a purposive sample to describe and to shed light on the lived experience of 21 men and women patients undergoing awake craniotomy from March to November 2004. There were (11) women and (10) men whose ages ranged from 20 to 63 years. 12 participants had mapping of the movement area, 9 had mapping of the language area. The anesthetics were the same for all participants and each one was awake during the procedure. The study included a multidisciplinary research team to increase knowledgeable interaction during observation, interviewing and data analysis. Palese et al. (2008) states “researchers collaborated independently, jointly, as well as triangulation to establish consistency and agreement of their findings”. There are no findings of a hypothesis of this study. One would suggest formulating a hypothesis after completion of the study.
Critique of Design
Quantitative:
References: Foster-Fitzpatrick, L., Ortiz, A., Sibilano, H., Marcantonio, R., & Braun, L. T. (1999). The effects of crossed leg on blood pressure measurement. Nursing Research 48(2), 105-108. Palese, A., Skrap, M., Fachin, M., Visioli, S., & Zannini, L. (2008). The experience of patients undergoing awake craniotomy. Cancer Nursing 31(2), 166-172. Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice (9th ed). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wikins.