Identify The Research Question For This Study

Identify The Research Question For This Studywhat Affects A Patients

Identify the research question for this study. What affects a patient’s daily life undergoing chemotherapy treatment? Provide a critique of the sample and setting in the study. The sampling was purposive, data was collected from 30 patients whom all agreed to be interviewed. Interviews were semi-structured. Purposive sampling emphasizes the deliberate selection of individuals, groups, organizations, or communities to study. In a sense, this means that qualitative samples are deliberately biased, but in a conscious, thoughtful manner, Tappen, 2016. Discuss the evidence provided related to the trustworthiness of the study. The study question was, what affects a patient’s daily life undergoing chemotherapy treatment? Study focused on two themes: what negatively affected their daily life and what positively affected their daily life. Study results did not focus on the original question. The study concluded with, “Patients must be involved in their care if they are to be able to bear their course of treatment and find ways to endure the difficult experience of cancer care." A harsh conclusion to a study that should have given insight on how we as practitioners can better serve patients undergoing chemotherapy by understanding what affects their daily lives the most. Reference Tappen, R. (2016). Advanced nursing research: From theory to practice. (2nd ed.) Salisbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The study under review aims to explore the factors that influence a patient's daily life during chemotherapy treatment. Understanding these factors is essential for healthcare providers to tailor support and interventions that improve quality of life for this vulnerable population. The central research question appears to be: "What affects a patient's daily life undergoing chemotherapy treatment?" Although straightforward, this question encompasses a broad scope, requiring careful examination of the study's methodology, sample, findings, and trustworthiness to determine how effectively it addresses this inquiry.

Analysis of the Research Question

The explicitly stated research question, "What affects a patient’s daily life undergoing chemotherapy treatment?" is pertinent given the physical, emotional, and social adversities faced by oncology patients. The question is exploratory and aims to identify various influencing factors—both positive and negative—that could inform clinical practice. However, the critique reveals a disparity between the stated question and the actual results. The study's conclusion emphasizes patient involvement in care but offers limited direct insights into specific factors impacting daily life, indicating a possible mismatch between research aims and outcomes.

Critique of the Sample and Setting

The study employed purposive sampling, selecting 30 patients who consented to interviews. Purposive sampling is common in qualitative research as it allows researchers to intentionally select participants with relevant experiences (Tappen, 2016). However, this approach introduces selection bias, as the sample may not represent the broader population of chemotherapy patients. The sample size of 30, while adequate for qualitative inquiry, limits the generalizability of findings. The setting details are vague; it appears that participants were drawn from a single healthcare facility or geographical area, which further constrains the diversity and transferability of results. Overall, while purposive sampling is appropriate for exploratory inquiry, the sample’s homogeneity and small size pose challenges to broader applicability.

Trustworthiness and Evidence

The trustworthiness of qualitative research relies on credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The study's credibility is questioned because the findings reported diverge from the original research question. Instead of identifying specific factors influencing daily life, it emphasizes patient involvement, which, while important, is a broader concept linked to overall care quality rather than immediate daily influences. The semi-structured interviews offer flexibility and depth, enhancing credibility; however, there is no mention of techniques such as member checking or triangulation that could strengthen trustworthiness (Tappen, 2016).

Dependability—whether the study's findings would be consistent if repeated—is not explicitly addressed. Without detailed methodological transparency, including coding procedures or audit trails, assessing dependability is difficult. Transferability, or the applicability to similar contexts, is also limited by the small, purposive sample from a single setting. Confirmability, reflecting objectivity, appears somewhat compromised, given that the results pivot toward patient engagement rather than elucidating specific daily life factors.

Additional Suggestions and Insights

To improve the study, future research should clearly link its qualitative findings to the initial research question. Employing multiple data collection methods, such as diaries, focus groups, or observations, could deepen understanding of daily influences. Moreover, ensuring methodological rigor through techniques like member checking or peer debriefing would bolster trustworthiness. Expanding the sample size and including participants from diverse settings would enhance transferability, allowing the findings to inform broader clinical practices effectively.

Clinicians should interpret such studies with caution, recognizing that qualitative insights depend heavily on context and participant perspectives. While patient involvement is undeniably critical, practical interventions would benefit from detailed understanding of specific factors—such as side effects, emotional support, social isolation, or fatigue—that directly impact daily functioning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the research question "What affects a patient’s daily life undergoing chemotherapy treatment?" is relevant yet insufficiently addressed by the study's findings, which lean more toward emphasizing patient participation than detailing influencing factors. The purposive, small sample limits transferability, and the trustworthiness of the qualitative data is compromised by the disconnect between question and results. For future research, a clearer alignment between study aims, methodology, and reporting would provide more actionable insights. Practitioners should consider existing evidence alongside patient-reported factors affecting daily life to optimize care and support during chemotherapy.

References

• Tappen, R. (2016). Advanced nursing research: From theory to practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage publications.
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