Evaluating Primary Research Articles -- Healing Faith: A Qualitative Exploration of Latino Breast Cancer Survivors by Barden et al. ()

Part I: Components of the Study

Problem:

Compared to other cancer survivors, Latino cancer survivors suffer from lower levels of social quality of life, higher levels of depression and distress as well as a generally diminished quality of life.

Primary research question or purpose of the study

The primary purpose of this qualitative study was to provide the results of an exploratory analysis of the lived experiences of seven Latino breast cancer survivors to identify culturally based and systematic barriers, challenges and other constraints that have adversely affected the current quality of their lives.

Research hypothesis or anticipated outcome

Although the outcome of the study was not specifically anticipated, all seven of the participants were part of a larger study that investigated the impact of surviving breast cancer on women. Interestingly, while the participation criteria that were applied by these researchers included having a diagnosis of breast cancer, being a resident of Florida, having a partner who was willing to participate in the study and having completed primary treatment, there was no specific indication that these seven participants or their partners were Latina. This eligibility criterion was either based on eligibility for the original study or was left to the assumption by the reader based in part on the participants fluency in Spanish since six of the seven participants stated they preferred having their interviews conducted in Spanish.

Methodology

The methodology for this study was exploratory in research design, using a consensual qualitative approach to administer face-to-face or telephonic interview. The researchers indicate that this methodology was regarded as optimal for the purposes of this study since it took into account the complexity and personal sensitivity of the subject matter (p. 145). In addition,...

The researchers concluded that although some of their team members had experienced relevant life events similar to the participants, none of them were considered as personally biased in their analyses of the interview data. Finally, all participants received a $100 gift care as compensation...…be done about it) made some participants feel powerless and hopeless which further exacerbated their anxiety as well as their concerns for their ability to care for their family members and themselves.

In your opinion, what are the strengths and limitations of this study? Does this study make a significant contribution to the literature and advance the knowledge base? Why or why not?

On the one hand, the studys focus on the understudied population of Latina breast cancer survivors is appropriate to address a significant gap in the literature. Likewise, the qualitative approach, using structured interviews, provided for a rich exploration of the seven participants individual lived experiences. The comprehensive analysis identifying ten distinct domains of experience, along with the use of verbatim quotes, provides a holistic and authentic view of the survivors post-cancer lives.

Finally, the team-based analysis using a bracketing method also enhances the credibility of the subjective, qualitative findings by mitigating individual researcher bias. On the other hand, though, the studys small sample size of seven participants limits its generalizability to larger Latina populations. Likewise, the limited geographic scope of the study that focused on Florida residents only, may not capture the diversity of experiences among Latina breast cancer survivors across the rest of…