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Editor's Note: This is the third of a series of columns contributed by the ANNA Research Committee to assist nephrology nurses in understanding research approaches and methodologies and evaluating research.
Quantitative research is evaluated for several reasons. You may be trying to decide if the findings are worthy of incorporation into your practice or you may be attempting to determine the current state of the research in a particular area. In the evaluation process, you will objectively review the strengths and the weaknesses of a report. Ultimately, you will determine whether the strengths of the work are greater than its weaknesses, whether the results can be incorporated into practice, and where the findings direct the next study.
Evaluating a quantitative research report may initially seem like a daunting task, even if you regularly read research. However, by using a systematic approach, you can become more comfortable and proficient in evaluating quantitative research. Numerous articles have been published on evaluating research reports (Beck, 1990; Pieper, 1993; Ryan-Wengar, 1992; Soeken, 1985; Summers, 1991). In addition, multimedia CD-ROMs have become available to assist with critiquing research for clinical practice use (Alderman, 1998; Beyea, 1998). The purpose of this article is to provide the knowledge and tools needed to successfully evaluate quantitative research reports.
Components of a Qualitative Research Report
Though journal criteria vary, most qualitative research reports contain five sections: research problem, review of the literature, methods (design, sampling plan, instrumentation, procedure, human subjects protection), data analysis and results, and discussion.
Research Problem
The introduction of the report should thoroughly describe the background of the research problem so that the need for the study is apparent. The author must build a case from the existing literature that the problem is of sufficient merit to justify further research. For example, if the study's purpose is to measure the effect of information and support on hope and uncertainty in individuals awaiting deceased donor renal transplantation, the introduction would describe the number of people waiting for renal transplant, the potential impact that interventions could make in this area, and the problems with extent research.
The statement of the problem should flow directly from the introduction and should conclude this section. The statement of the problem broadly identifies what needs to be...