Nursing Research Article Assignment Discussion

Nursing Research Article Assignment Discussion

Over the next two weeks, you will spend time reading at a deeper level about how nursing research is done. At the same time, you will read the instructor-assigned nursing research article that has been selected for this course, and examine it closely for the same things you have been reading about in the textbook.  Your assignment will help you break down each section of the article so that you can learn to look at nursing research articles a bit more closely and, hopefully, apply them to your clinical practice. Additional resources for appraisal include the mini-lecture and chapter 18 in Gray and Grove (2021) and Library Resources. Nursing Research Article Assignment Discussion

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Submission Instructions:

A major skill that is learned in this course is how to critically read and appraise nursing research articles according to the guideline found in your textbook. The purpose of appraising an article is to critically evaluate the research process followed by the author(s) of the assigned article. This is an information-intensive, time-intensive process that is not learned overnight. To demonstrate your skill at appraising an article, you will complete this open-book assignment.

Here’s how you should approach completing this week’s assignment to begin appraising an article:

1. First, do your assigned reading in Gray and Grove (2021) each week. This will introduce you to the critique skills you will need for the week. Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 (focus on Design validity and types), & 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, & 20
2. Skim the entire instructor-assigned research article that has been posted on CANVAS in Module 1 Reading and on the assignment so that you will have an idea of what it is about. For this week, re-read carefully the introduction/literature review /theoretical framework and methods sections of the article again.
3. Download the Research Article Appraisal, Part One Assignment from the link in the assignment. Find the best answer to each question based on your Gray and Grove (2021) assigned readings and on what you have read in the instructor assigned research article.
4. Some of the questions in the appraisal assignment below will seem unfamiliar to you. Look up key terms from the questions in your textbook. Some examples of these terms might be problem statements, hypotheses, or variables. You can also look in Chapter 18 for an example of a critical appraisal of a quantitative research article.
5. Type your answers for this assignment onto the template using the paper guideline found below Nursing Research Article Assignment Discussion

Once completed, upload your assignment to the assignment submission link by the time and date listed on the Course Schedule.

6. Feedback will be provided after all assignments for this week have been entered for credit.

Your assigned article for an appraisal is:

Instructor Assigned Article for Appraisal: 

Nuthcharin Intanai, Tipawan Daramas, & Autchareeya Patoomwan. (2024). Effects of Mothers’ Infant Massage on Bilirubin Levels and Re-hospitalization for Hyperbilirubinemia: A Quasi-experimental Study. Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, 28(3), 676–688.

https://doi-org.ezproxy.uta.edu/10.60099/prijnr.2024.268257

 

 

 Rubric

Research Appraisal, Part One
Criteria	Ratings
Introduction	10 to >8 pts Accomplished Qualifications of the authors are noted as found in the article (did educational preparation and clinical experience of the author[s] support qualification to conduct the study?). (3 pts) The title is discussed in terms of the type of study, variables, and population. (3 pts) All elements included in the abstract discussed: purpose, design, sample, interventions and key results if applicable. (3 pts) Cited appropriately. (1 pt)
Literature Review	15 to >12 pts Accomplished Identifies and discusses clinical problem and evidence of significance to nursing. (3 pts) More than one major topic in the background. (3 pts) Are the sources current? (2 pts) Were the articles used in the ROL appraised give examples (was a summary noted of the articles)? (4 pts) Was a gap in the literature addressed? (3 pts)
Research Problem, Purpose, Research Questions/Hypotheses	10 to >8 pts Accomplished Identify the research problem of the study. (3 pt) Identify the study purpose. Does the purpose clearly address a gap in nursing knowledge (research problem) identified in and supported by the ROL? (3 pts) If there are research questions and/or hypotheses, identify them and discuss whether they follow from the research problem and purpose? (3 pts) State whether each of these were implied or explicitly stated. (1 pt)Nursing Research Article Assignment Discussion
Theoretical Framework	10 to >8 pts Accomplished Adequate description of the framework. (3 pts) Is it implicit or explicit? (1 pt) List the important concepts within the framework. (2 pts) Gives at least one example of a relationship among two of the concepts (2 pts). Identifies if there is a map or model in the article (2 pts)
Variables	15 to >12 pts Accomplished Major variables are identified. (4 pts) Correct variable labels (IV, DV, RV) (3 pts) List the demographic variables. (4 pts) Discussion of extraneous variables from authors perspective found in the study (this is not your opinion) (4 pts)
Research Design	20 to >16 pts Accomplished Correct design type was selected. (4 pts) Explanation of how the design type matches the study’s objective, question, or hypotheses. (1 pt) Explanation of how the design type provides a means to examine the study’s purpose. (1 pts) Describe the study procedures (including recruitment, screening for eligibility, consent, timing & method of measurement of demographic & key study variables, and intervention if applicable). (5 pts) Was the description of the study clear enough to be replicated? (1 pt) Describe the groups, how were they assigned (if applicable). (4 pts )Were the extraneous variables identified and controlled (not your opinion, but what the author says) (2 pts) What are the limits to generalizability (external validity). (2 pts)
Writing Style & Format	10 to >8 pts Accomplished Keep the questions in the assignment, Use professional and orderly presentation of ideas (full sentences, precision, clarity, format, grammar, spelling, & punctuation) with appropriate citation of sources. NO QUOTES WILL BE USED IN THIS ASSIGNMENT. Up to 0.5 points will be deducted for each grammar, spelling, punctuation, or format error. Content errors will be greater point deduction.
Population, Sample, & Setting	10 to >8 pts Accomplished Identify the specific sampling method used for the study. 2 points Discuss the adequacy of the sampling method for producing a sample representative of the population. Discuss potential biases with the sampling method used. 1 pt. Identify the inclusion and exclusion criteria used in the study. 2 pts Discuss the appropriateness of the sampling criteria for the study? 1 pt Discuss how the planned sample size was determined (including power analysis & consideration of potential attrition if included). 2 pts Discuss actual sample size attained for the study including acceptance rate, refusal rate (including rationale for refusal to participate if presented), and attrition rate. 2 pt Describe study setting and its appropriateness for the study. 1 pt

 

1. Discuss author(s) qualifications to conduct the study, including educational preparation (PhD, MSN, etc.) and clinical experience of author[s].

The authors are Intanai, N., Daramas, T., and Patoomwan, A. They are qualified to conduct the study because they have the necessary educational preparation in the medical field. For instance, Intanai, N., is a candidate for MSN Pediatric Nursing at Ramathibodi School of Nursing. In addition, Daramas, T. and Patoomwan, A. are both RN, PhD (Nursing) faculty members and nursing educators at Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital. Therefore, the authors’ education qualifications and clinical experience qualify them to conduct a study in the medical field, particularly in pediatrics.

1. Discuss the clarity of the article title (type of study, variables, and population stated)Nursing Research Article Assignment Discussion.

The article’s title is “Effects of Mothers’ Infant Massage on Bilirubin Levels and Re-hospitalization for Hyperbilirubinemia: A Quasi-experimental Study.” The title is clear and states the study type (quasi-experimental). In addition, the variables involved in the study are explicitly stated. These are mothers’ infant massage, bilirubin levels, and rehospitalization. The population of focus (infants experiencing hyperbilirubinemia) is also stated clearly in the title.

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1. Discuss the quality of the abstract (purpose, design, sample, intervention, and key results presented).

The abstract includes all the necessary information, providing readers with a summary of the study’s topic and paying attention to its background and purpose. The abstract also includes the study design, succinct details on the sample, control and intervention groups, and the study intervention. Additionally, the study’s key results are presented.

Literature Review/Background

1. Briefly state the clinical problem that prompted the study.

Hyperbilirubinemia is a significant health problem in newborn infants, occurring in the first week of life. It is a major health concern since it can lead to delayed development, disabilities, or even death (Intanai et al., 2024). The clinical problem prompted the study to determine whether newborn massage reduces hyperbilirubinemia.

1. Discuss the data provided for the significance of the clinical problem and why you believe it is an important problem for nursing science.  If you believe it is not a critical problem, then explain why not.

Intanai et al. (2024) have provided comprehensive literature evidence to justify the significance of reducing hyperbilirubinemia as a clinical problem. The article supports the justification using twelve peer-reviewed articles on the topic. Hyperbilirubinemia is important for nursing science due to its significant implications for infants’ health and possible long-term outcomes. Additionally, the study will help promote effectiveness in addressing hyperbilirubinemia, helping nurses provide evidence-based and holistic care and emphasizing clinical efficacy.

1. Identify the major topics discussed in the background section and evaluate whether there were any missing ideas or topics.

The major topics discussed in the background of the study are hyperbilirubinemia as a significant health concern among infants, clinical signs, effects of hyperbilirubinemia, treatment interventions, and infant massage. These topics present all the relevant ideas necessary for supporting the background and significance of the problem. However, additional information on alternative treatment interventions would have been provided for comparison.

1. Briefly explain whether the background section included sources current at the time of the study (ie. within 5 years of publication)Nursing Research Article Assignment Discussion.

Most of the sources included in the background section are current. Several sources are not current, dating back more than ten years before the article’s publication. However, all resources are relevant to the study’s concept.

1. Discuss whether previous studies were critically evaluated by the study authors to provide a clear summary of the current knowledge about the problem of interest.

Intanai et al. (2024) used several research studies in their literature review. The studies were critically evaluated and provided an adequate summary of the current knowledge related to hyperbilirubinemia among infants. The studies’ level of evidence and quality were considered to ensure that the information used was reliable. Additionally, the evaluation has identified the knowledge gap addressed by the study.

1. Evaluate whether the background section provided enough support for the current research study.  In other words, whether gaps in research knowledge were clearly described.

According to Gray and Grove (2021), a researcher should be able to identify the literature gaps in their study concept and where their study fits in the knowledge body. The background provided substantial support for the current research study. The authors reviewed what other researchers have already done on reducing bilirubin levels in full-term infants. The literature evaluation also focused on studies specifically on infant massage and reducing bilirubin levels. Thus, the authors identified literature gaps and where their study fits in the body of knowledge.

Research Purpose & Research Questions/Hypotheses

1. State the study purpose and evaluate whether the purpose clearly addresses the gap in nursing knowledge identified in the background section. Nursing Research Article Assignment Discussion

This study’s purpose was to compare bilirubin levels and re-hospitalization for hyperbilirubinemia between full-term infants who received massage by mothers and those who received usual care, hence determining the intervention’s effectiveness in reducing hyperbilirubinemia. The literature gap in this study is that despite newborn massage being effective in increasing bilirubin levels, no studies show its effectiveness in reducing hyperbilirubinemia. Therefore, the study’s purpose addresses the gap identified in the background section.

1. If there are research questions and/or hypotheses, list them and discuss whether they logically follow from the research problem and purpose. If questions/hypotheses were only implied, rather than explicitly stated, describe that.

The study hypothesized that the mean bilirubin levels and rehospitalizations for hyperbilirubinemia among full-term infants in the experimental group would be lower than those in the control group. The infant participants in the experimental group would receive a mother’s massage for 10-15 minutes twice a day, while those in the control group would receive the usual care. The hypothesis was implied and not explicitly stated. However, it logically flows from the research problem and purpose.

Theory Framework

1. Describe the theory/framework that supported the study. List the important concepts in the theory framework as described by the authors.

Gray and Grove (2021) note that theoretical or conceptual frameworks provide a study with a structured and guiding approach by defining the key concepts, relationships, and variables examined in the study. The study employed a physiological framework for neonatal jaundice and the massage mechanism. The framework defines hyperbilirubinemia, its manifestation, treatment interventions, and effects. It also describes how infant massage stimulates the excretion of excess bilirubin.

1. Evaluate the clarity of the presentation of the framework. If it was vague or had missing elements, describe those.

The study’s framework is clear and comprehensive. It provides all the information needed to define the major concepts. The framework also lacks missing information since it has defined hyperbilirubinemia, its manifestation, treatment interventions, and effects. It also describes how infant massage stimulates the excretion of excess bilirubin, hence supporting the research concepts.

1. Discuss how well the theory/framework concepts were clearly linked to the study variables (the things that were actually measured in the study). Nursing Research Article Assignment Discussion

The study variables were mothers’ infant massage, bilirubin levels, and rehospitalization for hyperbilirubinemia. The conceptual framework is clearly linked to these variables. The framework explains that the infant massage technique is effective in reducing bilirubin levels. It also defines the major study concepts, infant massage, hyperbilirubinemia, and the related hospitalization, hence linked to the study variables.

1. List the major study variables [NOT demographic variables].  Categorize them as research, independent, or dependent variables.

 

The research variable is the Infant Massage program by Jonson’s, the intervention being tested. The independent variable is mother-performed infant massage since it is the factor being manipulated. The dependent variables are bilirubin levels and rehospitalization for bilirubinemia, which are the outcome measures.

 

1. List the demographic variables measured in the study and any extraneous variables identified by the authors.  Evaluate whether there are missing demographic variables, in your opinion.

The demographic variables used in this study are infant gender, gestational age, birth weight, body weight at discharge, weight loss, mother’s occupation, education level, number of children, and maternal age. Extraneous variables are the factors that may influence the study outcome but are not controlled for the scope of the research (Gray & Grove, 2021).  The extraneous variables in this study include the type of feeding and ability to feed. I believe all the necessary demographic variables are included in the study.

 

Research Design

1. Identify the specific study design.  Explain how the design was appropriate to answer the study’s research questions or hypotheses.

 

The study’s design is quasi-experimental with a comparison group. It was appropriate to answer the study’s hypothesis. In addition, quasi-experimental designs are often used in real-world clinical settings where randomization is impractical. The design also allowed the use of an independent variable and the observation of its effect on the dependent variables, hence comparing outcomes between the control and experimental groups. The design is also flexible since the researcher cannot exert full control over the variables.

 

1. Briefly describe the study procedures, including recruitment, screening for eligibility, consent, timing & method of measurement of all variables, and intervention if applicable.

 

The study was conducted using a 30-participant sample divided into two groups: a 15-participant control group and a 15-participant experimental group. The participants were the newborn infants and their mothers. The inclusion criteria for the mothers were normal delivery without postpartum complications, no anemia, no history of diabetes, no labor induction medications administered, no history of jaundice in previous children, and proficiency in speaking, listening and reading Thai. Infant participants had to have a gestational age between 37 and 42 weeks, no complications or congenital abnormalities, no injury during birth, Apgar scores greater than 7 or 6, and be able to breastfeed. The participants who met the inclusion criteria were recruited by convenience sampling. The authors gained the consent of the participants by explaining to the mothers the research objectives. The data was collected within two months.

 

1. Discuss the clarity of description of study procedures.  In other words, could another researcher replicate the study using the procedure described in the article? Nursing Research Article Assignment Discussion

 

The study procedures have been outlined clearly. The authors stated the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the participants, the ethical considerations and approval required for conducting the study, and the process for gaining participants’ consent. The data collection procedure has also been outlined accordingly. Other researchers could replicate the study following the procedure described in the article.

 

1. If more than one group was included in the study, explain how participants were assigned to groups.

 

The study included two groups: an experimental and a control group. The participants were assigned to these groups using a convenience sampling method. The authors ensured the participants from each group were not mixed up by first collecting data from the control group and then following up with the experimental group.

 

1. Describe any threats to design validity mentioned by the authors, usually in the limitations section.

 

The major threat to the design validity in this study is that the participants were purposively selected based on the eligibility criteria and investigated at only one secondary hospital. Therefore, it could be difficult to generalize the findings. Additionally, the variable bilirubin levels were induced by newborn physiology and were not inclusive of newborns with pathological jaundice.

 

1. Describe the generalizability of the study, or to what populations the findings could be applied.

The study can only be generalized to similar populations and clinical settings, specifically newborns in secondary clinical settings. The sample was also not selected randomly. Therefore, it cannot be generalized to other newborn populations lacking the inclusion criteria’ characteristics.

 

Population, Sample, & Setting

1. What was the population for the study?

 

The population for this study is newborn infants with high bilirubin levels.

 

1. Identify the specific sampling method used for the study (i.e., bringing subjects into the study).  Discuss how well this sampling method produces a sample representative of the population.

 

The primary investigators used convenience sampling as the sampling method in this study. Although convenience sampling may not produce a representative sample of the population, it is mainly used in clinical settings where randomization may raise ethical questions. Therefore, in this case, the sampling method is appropriate for a representative sample.

 

1. Identify and evaluate the inclusion and exclusion criteria used in the study. Describe any missing criteria that you believe should be there.

The inclusion criteria for the mothers were normal delivery without postpartum complications, no anemia, no history of diabetes, no labor induction medications administered, no history of jaundice in previous children, and proficiency in speaking, listening and reading Thai. Infant participants had to have a gestational age between 37 and 42 weeks, no complications or congenital abnormalities, no injury during birth, Apgar scores greater than 7 or 6, and be able to breastfeed. The exclusion criteria for mothers included mothers who had postpartum complications, were unable to adhere to the massage pattern, and were unable to remain in contact for 7 days. The exclusion criteria for infants were if the infant developed jaundice during the study and had other complications such as sepsis. These inclusion and exclusion criteria meet the requirement for study variables. There are no missing criteria.

 

1. Discuss how the planned sample size was determined (including power analysis & consideration of potential attrition if included)Nursing Research Article Assignment Discussion.

The sample size was calculated using the G* Power program with the power of the test (1 – β) = .80, level of significance (α) = .05, and the effect size calculated based on the results of two previous studies was equal to 0.98. The required sample size was 28, and 10% of the estimated sample was added to overcome possible attrition.28 Therefore, the final sample required was 30, 15 per group (Intanai et al., 2024)

 

1. Discuss actual sample size attained for the study, including acceptance rate or refusal rate, and attrition rate if provided, or if you calculated them.

 

The actual sample size that was attained for the study was 30 participants. Although the calculated sample was 28, two were added to overcome possible attrition. However, the acceptance rate was 100%, and the authors do not note any refusal from the participants.

 

1. Describe the study setting [hospital, clinic, home, or other] and its appropriateness for the study.

The study setting is an obstetrics and gynecology ward of a secondary hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. The ward includes newborn patients hospitalized due to hyperbilirubinemia. The setting is, therefore, appropriate for the study, considering the participants are found in the setting

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Reference List

Gray, J.& Grove, S. (2021). Burn’s and Grove’s The practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. ISBN 978- 0-323-67317-4

Intanai, N., Daramas, T., & Patoomwan, A. (2024). Effects of mothers’ infant massage on bilirubin levels and re-hospitalization for hyperbilirubinemia: A Quasi-experimental Study. Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, 28(3), 676-688. https://doi.org/10.60099/prijnr.2024.268257 Nursing Research Article Assignment Discussion