You Have Been Asked To Be A Peer Reviewer For A Nursing Team

You Have Been Asked To Be a Peer Reviewer For A Team Of Nurse Research

You have been asked to be a peer reviewer for a team of nurse researchers who are conducting a phenomenological study of the experiences of physical abuse during pregnancy. What specific questions would you ask the team during debriefing and what documents would you want the researchers to share? I need at least 2 references including this book: Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing research: generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (Ninth ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Paper For Above instruction

As a peer reviewer for a team of nurse researchers conducting a phenomenological study on the experiences of physical abuse during pregnancy, it is essential to evaluate both the methodological integrity and the ethical considerations of the research. The presenter of the study must demonstrate that the aims are clear, the research design is appropriate, and the data collection and analysis methods are rigorous and ethical. To ensure this, I would pose specific questions during the debriefing session and request relevant documents from the research team.

Questions to Ask During Debriefing

1. Clarification of Research Objectives and Rationale:

I would ask the team to articulate the primary research questions and the rationale for choosing a phenomenological approach. This ensures that the methodology aligns with the study aims, particularly since phenomenology seeks to explore lived experiences in-depth (Polit & Beck, 2012). For instance: "Can you explain how phenomenology is suited to uncover the nuances of women’s experiences with physical abuse during pregnancy?"

2. Participant Selection and Sample Size:

Understanding how participants were recruited and selected is critical. I would inquire: "What inclusion and exclusion criteria have you established, and how do you ensure that participants' voices are adequately represented without causing harm?" This is vital, considering the sensitive nature of the subject and the vulnerability of pregnant women experiencing abuse.

3. Ethical Considerations and Support:

Given the sensitive topic, it is crucial to understand how ethical issues are managed. I would ask: "What measures are in place to ensure participant safety, confidentiality, and psychological support?" Ensuring that protocols are in place to address distress or disclosures of ongoing abuse is essential (Polit & Beck, 2012).

4. Data Collection Methods:

Questions about the data collection process are paramount. For example: "What interview techniques are used to facilitate open, honest disclosure, and how are interviews conducted to minimize re-traumatization?" Phenomenological studies often involve in-depth interviews, so it's important that the interviewers are well-trained.

5. Data Analysis Procedures:

I would ask for a detailed explanation of the analytic framework. "How are you analyzing the qualitative data to identify core themes, and how do you ensure that the participants' lived experiences are accurately represented?" Using established methods like Colaizzi’s or van Manen’s procedures enhances credibility (Polit & Beck, 2012).

6. Rigor and Trustworthiness of the Study:

To assess methodological rigor, I would inquire: "What strategies are you employing to ensure credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability of your findings?" Such strategies may include member checking, peer debriefing, and audit trails.

7. Management of Bias:

Finally, I would ask: "How do you acknowledge and mitigate researcher bias throughout the study?" Reflexivity is central in phenomenological research to enhance validity.

Documents to Request from the Research Team

1. Research Proposal and Objectives:

A clear outline of aims, research questions, and theoretical framework.

2. Ethical Approval Documents:

Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval letters, consent forms, and participant information sheets to confirm adherence to ethical standards.

3. Data Collection Instruments:

Interview guides, questionnaires, or prompts used during data collection, ensuring they align with phenomenological principles.

4. Participant Recruitment Materials:

Flyers, scripts, or recruitment notices that demonstrate how participants were approached.

5. Data Analysis Plan:

Detailed steps, coding frameworks, and explanation of the analytic process.

6. Confidentiality and Data Management Protocols:

Procedures for secure data storage, anonymization, and handling disclosures of ongoing abuse.

7. Reflexivity Statement or Researcher Positionality:

Reflections on how researcher biases are managed.

8. Preliminary or Final Findings:

Drafts or reports showing initial thematic analysis, supporting transparency and evaluation of rigor.

Ethical and Methodological Considerations in Phenomenological Research

Phenomenological research offers profound insights into participants' lived experiences, yet it demands stringent ethical and methodological adherence, especially on topics like abuse during pregnancy. Ethical considerations include ensuring informed consent, minimizing harm, and providing resources for participants in distress (Polit & Beck, 2012). Researchers must also demonstrate reflexivity to mitigate bias and uphold validity (van Manen, 2016).

Methodologically, rigor is maintained through transparent analysis processes and validation strategies such as member checking and triangulation. Ensuring the credibility and transferability of findings is crucial, particularly given the sensitive nature of studying abuse. Moreover, researchers must be equipped with trauma-informed interviewing techniques to foster trust and openness.

In summary, as a peer reviewer, I would focus on assessing the study's alignment with phenomenological methodology, ethical safeguards for vulnerable populations, and procedures to ensure validity and credibility. These elements are vital for producing meaningful, trustworthy findings that could inform practice and policy in nursing care for pregnant women experiencing abuse. Adhering to established standards, as outlined by Polit and Beck (2012), ensures that the research contributes valuable insights to nursing literature and practice.

References

  • Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing research: generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • van Manen, M. (2016). Researching lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive pedagogy. Routledge.
  • Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage publications.
  • Colaizzi, P. F. (1978). Psychological research as the phenomenologist views it. In R. S. Valle & M. King (Eds.), Existential phenomenological alternatives for psychology (pp. 48-71). Oxford University Press.
  • Giorgi, A. (2009). The descriptive phenomenological method in psychology. In P. Antaki, C. Finlay, S. Walton, & J. Walton (Eds.), The Sage handbook of qualitative research in psychology (pp. 171-185). Sage.
  • Finlay, L. (2011). Phenomenology for therapists: Guidance and practice. Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Benner, P. (1994). The phenomenological study of experienced pain. In P. Benner & S. Wrubel, The Primacy of Caring: Stress and transitions in nursing (pp. 21-38). Springer Publishing Company.
  • Bradbury, H., & Reason, P. (2001). Comparing phenomenological and narrative research. The Qualitative Inquiry, 7(2), 238-241.
  • Sullivan, K. M. (2012). Ethical issues in research on intimate partner violence. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(5), 1055-1064.

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