N4325 Nurse Research Article Critique From UTA

This question are from RESEARCH ARTICLE CRITIQUE PART 2 FROM NURS 432 UTA ARTICLE (MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSE PERCEIVED SELF CONFIDENCE AND LEADERSHIP ABILITIES AS FIRST RESPONDERS IN ACUTE PATIENT DETERIORATION EVENTS HART EL AL, 2014)

Questions 1 – 9: Sample. (For help with these questions, refer to chapters: 9 & 12)

What sampling method or plan was used by the authors in this study?

  1. Simple random sampling
  2. Systematic sampling
  3. Convenience sampling
  4. Network sampling

According to Grove, Gray, and Burns (2015), what are the potential biases of this sampling method?

  1. This is a strong probability sampling method with very little potential for bias
  2. This method is used when an ordered list of all members of the population are available, and provides a random but not equal chance for inclusion in the study.
  3. This method provides little opportunity to control for bias because subjects are included in the study merely because they happen to be in the right place at the right time.
  4. This method is specific to the individuals who were recruited and the information gained cannot be generalized to others who don’t share these types of experiences.
  5. None of the above biases best describe the sampling method chosen by the author.

What was the final sample size reported by the authors for this study?

  1. 500 participants
  2. 126 participants
  3. 352 participants
  4. 148 participants

Was a power analysis conducted? If so, which statement best describes the results of the power analysis?

  1. The authors mention that a power analysis was conducted using a power of .80, an alpha value of 0.05, and a small effect size of 0.25.
  2. The authors mention that an a priori power analysis was conducted, and 500 subjects were determined to be needed for the study.
  3. The authors do not report that a power analysis was conducted.

Which of these statements would be considered to be inclusion criterion for the sample in the research article? (select all that apply)

  1. English-speaking
  2. Have at least two years of experience as a nurse
  3. Work as a Medical Surgical nurse providing direct patient care
  4. Be a member of the Medical Surgical Nurses Association
  5. 18 years of age or older

Which of these statements would be considered to be an exclusion criterion specifically identified by the author for the sample in the research article?

  1. The exclusion criteria were explained verbally during recruitment.
  2. History of depression/ mental health issues.
  3. No exclusion criteria were described.
  4. Participants only worked on the night shift.

What is the acceptance rate for this study? (Hint: see page 253 in your text)

  1. 148/500 X 100% = 29.6%
  2. 126/148 X 100% = 86.4%
  3. unknown / cannot be calculated.
  4. 0%

Which of the following would be accurate for the attrition rate for this study?

  1. 148/500 X 100% = 29.6%
  2. 126/148 X 100% = 86.4%
  3. 126/500 X 100% = 25%
  4. 0%

What was the setting for this research study? Briefly describe the setting and indicate whether it was appropriate for conducting this study.

  1. The setting for this study was a partially controlled setting and was appropriate for this study’s research design.
  2. The setting for this study was a natural or field setting and was appropriate for this study’s research design.
  3. The setting for this study was a highly controlled setting and was appropriate for this study’s research design.
  4. The setting for this study was not well described by the authors and therefore not appropriate for conducting this study.

Question 10 – 14: Measurement Methods. (For help with these questions, refer to chapters 10 & 12.)

Which ones of these questionnaires, scales, or physiologic measures is used in this research study? (Select all that apply).

  1. Leadership Ability Scale
  2. The Nursing Stress Scale
  3. Self-confidence Scale
  4. The Quality of Life Scale

How do the authors describe the CURRENT reliability of the Leadership Ability Scale?

  1. Two follow-up emails were sent to potential participants.
  2. They compared the odd and even questions on the test to determine their equivalence.
  3. A team of staff nurses was trained by the primary investigator to administer the questionnaire.
  4. They tested the current group of subjects twice using the same questionnaire (test-retest reliability).
  5. They computed Cronbach’s alpha on the Leadership Ability Scale that was administered to this group of subjects.

How do the authors describe the validity of the Self-confidence Scale?

  1. discriminant validity demonstrated that each subscale measured the same constructs.
  2. evidence of validity from contrasting groups because they gave it to spouses of MS nurses.
  3. there was no mention of determining the validity of the Self-confidence Scale.
  4. The authors had experience with administering this questionnaire.

What types of questionnaires or surveys were used in this research study? (Select all that apply.)

  1. The authors developed the Self-confidence Scale.
  2. The authors developed their own questions to ask about demographic information.
  3. Interviews were reportedly used, but the authors do not explain what was included in them.
  4. The authors report adding a few of their own questions at the end of the demographic questionnaire.
  5. The authors used previously developed questionnaires or surveys to measure the study variables.
  6. This study did not use any questionnaires or surveys.

Were any physiological measurements collected from the subjects for the purpose of this study?

  1. Yes
  2. No

Question 15- 16: Data Collection. (For help with these questions, refer to chapters 10 & 12)

Which one of the following best describes the data collection process used in this study?

  1. questionnaires / surveys were completed via the telephone.
  2. participants were given questionnaires on enrollment in the study and asked to drop the sealed envelope in a locked box at the nurses’ station.
  3. questionnaires / surveys were mailed to the prospective participants and returned in a self-addressed stamped envelope.
  4. Nurse researchers interviewed the study participants in a focus group.
  5. Questionnaires were distributed to medical-surgical nurses by making rounds on the nursing units and attending staff meetings.

If there were more than one data collector for the study, would an estimation of inter-rater reliability be an important concept for the authors to report on for this study?

  1. yes, and the authors reported their efforts to achieve inter-rater reliability.
  2. yes, but the authors do not discuss any efforts to achieve inter-rater reliability.
  3. no, the issue of inter-rater reliability does not apply here.

Question 17 – 19: Data Analysis. (For help with these questions, refer to chapters 11 & 12)

What descriptive statistics are used in this study? (Select all that apply).

  1. mean
  2. median
  3. frequencies
  4. standard deviation
  5. z-scores
  6. percentage distributions

What inferential statistics were used to examine the data obtained from the subjects? (Select all that apply)

  1. correlational analysis
  2. Factor Analysis
  3. t-Test
  4. Chi-Square
  5. ANCOVA
  6. ANOVA
  7. regression analysis
  8. None of the above inferential statistics were used in this study.

What is the level of significance (alpha) set at for this study?

  1. .05 or 5%
  2. 0.10 or 10%
  3. 0.1 or 1%
  4. an alpha level or level of significance chosen by the authors was not specifically mentioned in the text of the article.

Question 20-25: Researcher’s Interpretation of the Findings. (For help with these questions, refer to chapters 11 & 12)

There are several statistically significant findings in this study. Which of these statements from the article would be considered a significant and predicted result? (select all that apply)

  1. As MS nurses’ perceptions of their self-confidence increases, perceived leadership abilities in handling APD events increased (r = .553, p < .0001)
  2. Younger nurses have higher levels of perceived self-confidence, (B = 0.122, t =2.23, p = .027).
  3. Age and certification status were identified as the best predictors of perceived self-confidence and leadership abilities in the regression model.
  4. The MS nurses with the highest educational degrees impact leadership ability in managing as a first responder in an APD event.

Which of these statements from the article would be considered a non-significant result.

  1. The older the nurse, the higher the level of perceived self-confidence in managing APD events.
  2. Years of licensed and educational levels do not predict perceived self-confidence and leadership abilities to manage APD events.
  3. As MS nurses’ perceptions of their self-confidence increases, perceived leadership abilities in handling APD events increased (r = .553, p<.0001)

Which one of these statements from the article would be considered clinically important?

  1. Age and certification status were identified as the best predictors of perceived self-confidence and leadership abilities in managing APD events.
  2. Younger nurses are better prepared to manage APD events compared to older nurses.
  3. According to this study results, a low level of self-confidence is not a known factor for nursing turnover in MS nurses.
  4. Six participants were removed from the study due to incomplete surveys.

Which statements below implied from the article would be considered a limitation of the study? (Select all that apply)

  1. The use of a convenience sample of nurses within one geographic area and one hospital system.
  2. Length of the questionnaire perhaps resulting in instrument fatigue and nurses not completing the questionnaire.
  3. A small sample size with a low response rate.
  4. Additional education given on the study topic at one of the hospital settings during the data collection phase.

Which one of these statements would be considered a statement regarding generalization of these results?

  1. The results indicated that there were low levels of self-confidence in this group of MS nurses and can be generalized to all MS nurses in the United States.
  2. The survey was administered only to MS nurses who were members of the Medical Surgical Nurses Association (MSNA).
  3. A convenience sample of MS nurses decreases generalizability. 
  4. The use of a power analysis influenced the generalization of the results to all MS nurses.

Which of these statements from the article would be considered a recommendation for future studies? (Select all that apply.)

  1. Using a convenience sample may introduce sampling bias; therefore caution is warranted when making inferences about the study findings.
  2. Further strategies need to be developed to increase nurses’ self confidence and execution of leadership abilities in handling deterioration events for positive patient outcomes.
  3. Interestingly, only about 50% or less of nurses felt comfortable a great deal of the time in being identified as a leader and coordinating immediate responders from their unit.
  4. Furthermore, team training is needed to enhance medical-surgical nurses’ abilities to communicate effectively and optimize team performance when working with rapid response and CRT members.