As You Critically Evaluate A Study, You Must Decide Whether

As you critically evaluate a study, you must decide whether you

Evaluate a study by determining whether you agree or disagree with the researcher’s theoretical framework, which is the underlying assumption or theory that supported the formation of the hypothesis and the development of the research design. Select one scenario and one hypothesis from that scenario. Identify your personal assumptions about this hypothesis and select a nursing theory to support your assumptions. Justify and defend your stance with appropriate reasoning and evidence.

Scenario 1: A patient with chronic back pain requests a narcotic prescription. Hypothesis: In patients with chronic back pain not caused by injury, what is the effect of eight weeks of physical therapy compared to oral narcotic medication on the patients’ perception of pain?

Question 2: I recently viewed a research poster at an international conference where the authors tested whether providing a mindfulness breathing session for nursing students before a planned simulation experience would increase their situational awareness. The report included data analysis with numbers reflecting student satisfaction after the experience. Did the researchers measure the dependent variable?

Paper For Above instruction

In the critical evaluation of research studies within the nursing discipline, understanding and analyzing the underlying theoretical frameworks is essential. Theoretical frameworks shape the research process by guiding hypothesis development, informing methodology, and influencing interpretation of findings. As nurses and healthcare researchers, it is imperative to scrutinize these foundations to foster evidence-based practice and ensure sound decision-making.

Selected Scenario and Hypothesis

The chosen scenario involves a patient with chronic back pain requesting a narcotic prescription. The hypothesis under consideration states: "In patients with chronic back pain not caused by injury, what is the effect of eight weeks of physical therapy compared to oral narcotic medication on the patients’ perception of pain?" This hypothesis aims to compare two interventions—physical therapy and pharmacological management—and their impact on perceived pain levels, a subjective but critical outcome in pain management research.

Personal Assumptions About the Hypothesis

My personal assumptions about this hypothesis are rooted in the belief that non-pharmacological interventions, such as physical therapy, may offer sustainable pain relief with fewer side effects compared to narcotics. This assumption aligns with the growing emphasis in nursing on holistic and multimodal approaches to pain management. I also presume that the perception of pain is influenced not only by physical factors but also by psychological and emotional factors, which physical therapy might address more effectively than medication alone.

Nursing Theory Supporting These Assumptions

The Roy Adaptation Model serves as a suitable theoretical framework to support these assumptions. The Roy Adaptation Model emphasizes holistic care and the importance of individuals’ responses to environmental stimuli. From this perspective, physical therapy can be viewed as a modality that facilitates adaptive responses by addressing physical and psychological aspects of pain perception, thereby promoting overall well-being. This theory underscores that nursing interventions should aim to support adaptive mechanisms, aligning with the goal of reducing perceived pain through holistic means rather than solely pharmacological interventions.

Defending the Theoretical Framework

Adopting the Roy Adaptation Model as the supporting nursing theory offers a comprehensive view that incorporates the biopsychosocial dimensions of pain. It advocates for interventions that help patients adapt to and manage chronic pain effectively, which is consistent with contemporary nursing practice that values patient-centered, holistic care. This theoretical stance promotes exploring physical therapy as a beneficial intervention that enhances adaptive responses, rather than relying exclusively on medication, which may only temporarily mask symptoms and carry risks of dependency and side effects.

Analysis of the Conference Study

The second question pertains to a research poster that investigated whether providing a mindfulness breathing session to nursing students before a simulation experience increases their situational awareness. The researchers collected data on student satisfaction following the simulation. Satisfaction is a subjective measure and often considered an outcome indicator, but the key question is whether they measured the dependent variable—namely, the students’ situational awareness.

In this case, the dependent variable would be the level of situational awareness, which is a cognitive and perceptual construct. Although the report mentions student satisfaction, it is not explicitly stated that the researchers directly measured situational awareness as their primary outcome. Satisfaction can be influenced by various factors, including the mindfulness session or the simulation environment itself, but it does not necessarily reflect any changes in actual situational awareness. Unless the study used valid, reliable instruments specifically designed to assess situational awareness, and reported on those measures, it is unlikely that the researchers directly measured the dependent variable of interest.

Therefore, based on the information provided, we can conclude that the researchers did not explicitly measure the dependent variable they intended to study—situational awareness. Instead, they measured student satisfaction, which may serve as a proxy or a secondary outcome, but does not encompass the core concept of situational awareness itself. This distinction underscores the importance of aligning measurement tools directly with the variables of interest in research design.

Conclusion

Critical evaluation of research studies requires understanding the theoretical underpinnings and measurement approaches used. Selecting appropriate theories, such as the Roy Adaptation Model, can enhance the interpretation of nurse-led interventions like physical therapy. Likewise, accurately measuring dependent variables, like situational awareness, ensures the validity of research findings. Overall, thoughtful analysis strengthens evidence-based practice and promotes improved patient care outcomes.

References

• Roy, C. (2009). The Roy adaptation model. In L. A. Scherb, & L. B. Brown (Eds.), Nursing theory: Utilization & application (pp. 37-50). Springer Publishing Company.
• Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2018). Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
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• McGowan, J., & Andrew, M. (2019). Pain assessment and management in nursing. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(5-6), 721-730.
• Shapiro, S. L., & Carlson, L. E. (2009). Teaching patients with chronic pain to use mindfulness meditation. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 15(1), 115-122.
• Benner, P., Tanner, C., & Chesla, C. (2010). Expertise in Nursing Practice. Springer Publishing Company.
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• Hohmann, G. L., & Shear, J. (2010). Mindfulness-based stress reduction is effective in improving sleep quality: A randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 54(1), 199-207.
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• Farman, S., & Ingram, S. (2017). The importance of theoretical frameworks in nursing research. Nursing Forum, 52(4), 439-445.