A Process of Decision Making by Caregivers of Family Members with Heart Failure
An Analysis of Standford et al.’s Study
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An Analysis of Sanford, Townsend-Rocchicciolli, Horigan, & Hall’s Study A Process of Decision Making by Caregivers of Family Members With Heart Failure A research critique submitted by Thelma Augustin, Melody Alexander, Ashley Breaux, Nissa Fisher, Kamaria Harris, Thao Huynh, Jeris Jensen, Leslie King, and Susan Livengood, Master of Science in Nursing Research College of Nursing 2012
An Analysis of Standford et al.’s Study
2|P a ge
Design Sanford, Townsend-Rocchicciolli, Horigan, & Hall (2011) identified this qualitative study’s research tradition as following the grounded theory method to investigate the caregiver’s of heart failure (HF) patient’s decision making process. This was achieved by identifying the complex cardiovascular issue, HF, as a real world problem. After identifying the primary issue, they studied the basic social process of the caregiver’s decision making skills, otherwise known as the core variable (Polit & Beck, 2012). The data was collected and analyzed consistently with the grounded theory by using unstructured, open-ended, audio-taped interviews, with notes highlighting key points or questions (Sanford et al., 2011). Sanford et al.’s (2011) data was immediately transcribed word-for-word into the NVivo qualitative software program after each interview allowing researchers to code the data into categories for constant comparison. While analyzing the data, researchers were able to elaborate, refine, and create a decision making theoretical model, the theory of triangulation. This is important, because as Polit & Beck (2012) note, the ground theory is where data is taken, immediately analyzed as it is obtained, conceptualized to make changes as the researcher sees fit, and the cycle is repeated as needed. Throughout this study, Sanford et al., (2011) recruited participants over a 12 month period, and it can be assumed that this was sufficient time to build trust and a rapport,
1|P a ge
An Analysis of Sanford, Townsend-Rocchicciolli, Horigan, & Hall’s Study A Process of Decision Making by Caregivers of Family Members With Heart Failure A research critique submitted by Thelma Augustin, Melody Alexander, Ashley Breaux, Nissa Fisher, Kamaria Harris, Thao Huynh, Jeris Jensen, Leslie King, and Susan Livengood, Master of Science in Nursing Research College of Nursing 2012
An Analysis of Standford et al.’s Study
2|P a ge
Design Sanford, Townsend-Rocchicciolli, Horigan, & Hall (2011) identified this qualitative study’s research tradition as following the grounded theory method to investigate the caregiver’s of heart failure (HF) patient’s decision making process. This was achieved by identifying the complex cardiovascular issue, HF, as a real world problem. After identifying the primary issue, they studied the basic social process of the caregiver’s decision making skills, otherwise known as the core variable (Polit & Beck, 2012). The data was collected and analyzed consistently with the grounded theory by using unstructured, open-ended, audio-taped interviews, with notes highlighting key points or questions (Sanford et al., 2011). Sanford et al.’s (2011) data was immediately transcribed word-for-word into the NVivo qualitative software program after each interview allowing researchers to code the data into categories for constant comparison. While analyzing the data, researchers were able to elaborate, refine, and create a decision making theoretical model, the theory of triangulation. This is important, because as Polit & Beck (2012) note, the ground theory is where data is taken, immediately analyzed as it is obtained, conceptualized to make changes as the researcher sees fit, and the cycle is repeated as needed. Throughout this study, Sanford et al., (2011) recruited participants over a 12 month period, and it can be assumed that this was sufficient time to build trust and a rapport,
References: Charmaz, K. (2006).Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis. London: SAGE. Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing research Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Sanford, J., Townsend-Rocchicciolli, J., Horigan, A., & Hall, P. (2011). A Process of Decision Making by Caregivers of Family Members with Heart Failure. Research and Theory for Nursing Practice: An International Journal, 25, No. 1, 55-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/08897182.25.1.55