quantitative research

infer an answer to a particular section, then you must so state and JUSTIFY your statement. DO NOT LEAVE ANY SECTION BLANK. Caution: Do not provide a "Yes" or "no" answer without an EXPLANATION. YOU MUST JUSTIFY ALL YOUR RESPONSES ALL responses must be written in YOUR OWN WORDS. Do NOT use quotes. Morike Adekemi Full and Complete Reference for the Article: Hagan, Teresa L, BSN, RN., B.A., & Donovan, Heidi M, Phd., R.N. (2013).

Ovarian cancer survivor's experiences of self-advocacy: A focus group study. Oncology Nursing Forum, 40(2), 140-7. Retrieved from http://searchproquest.com/docview/1325739253?accountid-35812 You must submit the full article in PDF form. Critiques submitted without the PDF will not be accepted. Problem What is the problem the study was conducted to address? (1) Response: The problem this study was conducted to address was self-advocacy in clinical research as well as practice.

Despite self-advocacy being cited as a trait desirable among patients, not much explanation or description of this concept is offered, leaving it markedly distorted and oversimplified in clinical research as well as practice. Why is the problem an important one for nursing to study? (1) Response: Three reasons have been cited that signify this problem as an important one for nursing to study. Firstly, self-advocacy promotion presents face validity when it comes to aiding cancer patients in traversing their respective disease trajectories.

Secondly, it is potentially beneficial in improving QOL (quality of life), symptom management, and healthcare use, as seen among persons without cancer. Thirdly, an understanding of why and how cancer survivors engage in self-advocacy, as well as self-advocacy's effect on their symptom management capacity, can have an impact on the way healthcare practitioners support cancer survivors and contribute to patient empowerment and involvement.

Study Purpose What is the purpose of the study? (2) Response: The study has manifold purposes, namely: 1) Addressing deficiencies in advocacy's definition via a qualitative strategy of understanding and describing the self-advocacy experience of women cancer survivors; 2) Investigating self-advocacy in people suffering from ovarian cancer and experiencing cancer-connected; 3) Ascertaining factors linked to self-advocacy; and 4) Informing and supplementing the self-advocacy concept via a phenomenological technique of analyzing survivors' grasp of the concept, how self-advocacy is done, why they advocate for, or refrain from advocating for, themselves, and the obstacles and assistance they encounter when doing so.

Research Questions What are the research question(s)? (4) Response: The research questions for the study are as follows: 1. How is the term "self-advocacy" defined, and what does it mean? 1. How does a cancer survivor attempt symptom management? 1. In what way does survivors' symptom management ability impact the way healthcare practitioners support them and contribute to their empowerment and involvement? 1.

What unique self-advocacy experiences are seen among women survivors, owing to their gender-related care experiences and their unique cancer-connected symptoms? Are the questions stated broadly enough for a qualitative study? Explain WHY (4) Response: Research questions have been stated broadly enough for a qualitative study. Firstly, study authors have provided a background for explaining terms included in the question. Further, the questions are adequately specific, and outcomes would offer a suitable chance to formulate an argument.

Additionally, questions are satisfactorily complex to require analysis as well as assessment that will result in formulation of an argument to be discussed. Specifically, research questions include an actionable phrase that necessitates an analysis. Lastly, depending on research aims, the questions adequately cover different study elements. This has been achieved with enough complexity, clarity, and focus. Study Design What specific qualitative method is used? (1) Response: The specific qualitative methods used in this study are in-depth interviewing and focus groups for exploring ovarian cancer patients' experiences with self-advocacy and symptom management.

Provide a clear description of the qualitative method utilized (utilize your text or another source to do this -- provide citation) (2) Response: The main qualitative method utilized in this research is focus group technique, which is a type of group interviewing which produces data by taking advantage of interactions among study subjects. While group interviewing is typically utilized merely as an easy and quick means of gathering data from a large number of individuals at a time, focus group method specifically involves group interaction.

That is, rather than having researchers pose questions to individual subjects in turn, participants are made to interact with each other: they ask questions, exchange anecdotes and remark on one another's standpoints and experiences. This technique is especially handy in exploring individuals' experiences and knowledge, and may be employed in examining what individuals think, as well as how and why they think those things (Kitzinger, 1995). In what way is the method used an appropriate one for this study? Clearly justify your answer.

(3) Response: The method used is an appropriate one for this study for various reasons. First of all, focus group technique has the underlying idea that group-based processes will be able to facilitate examination and clarification of individuals' opinions in a way that would not be as effective in one-on-one interviews. Secondly, group discussions are especially applicable when researchers, having composed many open-ended questions, desire for respondents to scrutinize the issues they personally find important, using their own words, raising questions themselves, and taking up their personal priorities.

Thirdly, in a smoothly-functioning group, researchers and respondents collaborate well, taking the study in novel and usually unexpected directions. Furthermore, group work aids researchers in tapping into the diverse types of communication used by individuals in everyday interaction, including anecdotes, jokes, debate and teasing. Accessing such an assortment of communication proves valuable, as individuals' attitudes and knowledge cannot be wholly covered by reasoned answers to direct queries. Routine communication practices may convey at least as much about what individuals encounter in life, or are aware of.

In this context, focus groups access what other techniques fail to, disclosing a depth of understanding which is frequently untouched by more traditional methods of data gathering. For this research, focus groups help access data types that cannot be conveniently acquired using alternative techniques. Review of the Related Literature Are the articles relevant with previous studies and theories described? Justify your response. (2) Response: Yes, the articles are relevant with previous studies and theories described. The paper selectively limits its literature review to resources most pertinent to the subject.

Some sections of the article are composed based on prior analyses. For instance, it states that Donovan and Hagan's (2012) concept analysis defined the term 'self-advocacy' among cancer survivors, as a major antecedent characteristic internalization, which entails offering assistance and promoting cancer-related policies and awareness, for meeting disease-related challenges (p. 141). In general, the article assesses research works that revolve around the topic, and explains, recapitulates, appraises, and corroborates this literature collection. It offers a conceptual foundation for the study, helping determine the current study's nature.

Are the references current? What are the numbers of sources within past 10 years? What are the numbers of sources within past five years? (2) Response: Not every reference is current, considering the fact that the latest possible literature ought to be cited is (Troyka, 2002). Thirty-six sources in total have been utilized in the paper, of which 20 fall in the past 10 years, and 7 within the past 5 years. Describe the current knowledge about the research problem.

(2) Response: Current knowledge about the research problem may be described as follows: Public debate on the topic of cancer survivorship has increasingly focused on self-advocacy among patients. This debate influences survivors' self-advocacy-related conceptualizations, and successively impacts their health-related behaviors and attitudes. Discourse assessment methods are employed for closely looking at the jargon utilized to discover meanings assigned by individual groups to the self-advocacy concept.

Discrepancies and challenges between patient transcripts and educational guidebooks are documented, including perceiving the self-advocacy aspect as a collection of skills for asserting one's requirements, as against a way to maintain trusting relationships and positive attitudes with healthcare practitioners, respectively. Although some survivors perceived themselves in the self-advocate role, they continued struggling to unearth appropriate health facts and were reluctant to upset the provider-patient relationship.

Analysis emphasizes tensions between discussions, indicating ways by which educational matter for patients may be adjusted for supporting cancer survivors' advocacy, in accordance to their individual preferences and circumstances (Hagan & Medberry, 2016). Specify the gap in the literature that justifies the need for the research.

(2) Response: The need for this research is justified by a gap in literature that may be explained as follows: Despite frequent citing of self-advocacy as a trait desirable among patients, no much explanation or description of this concept is offered, leaving it markedly distorted and oversimplified in clinical research as well as practice. Owing to self-advocacy's under-researched but repeatedly cited capacity of improving cancer survivors' lives, it is essential to engage in a comprehensive scrutiny of the topic from the patients' viewpoint.

It is imperative to grasp the reason for, and techniques of, survivor self-advocacy, and how this practice's effect on their symptom management ability can affect healthcare practitioners' support of survivors as well as contribute to patient empowerment and involvement. Subjects and Setting Describe the subjects and the setting (5) Response: A current randomized control trial under the online "WRITE (Written Representation Intervention to Erase) Symptoms" symptom management program and the NOCC's (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition's) Pittsburgh chapter were used to select study subjects.

Every female ovarian cancer survivor was eligible for participation. However, terminally-ill (i.e., near-death) women, as identified by WRITE Symptoms personnel, weren't invited to take part in the study. The overall study sample comprised of 7 females taken from the NOCC and 6 from WRITE Symptoms. A quiet and isolated room in a local coffee shop' was the focus groups' setting. Such a setting was chosen for offering a non-clinical, open, and informal atmosphere for participants to mull over and discuss their past experiences.

The casual atmosphere was facilitated further through the provision of snacks and drinks to participants. One of the researchers sat at the focus group table, among the study subjects. All participants were given individual copies of the study's key questions, cue cards having the word "self-advocacy" typed on them for reminding them of the discussion's main subject, and pen and paper for taking down notes.

Before every focus group session, consent forms were taken from participants and they were assured of data confidentiality and anonymity with regard to the interview, focus group, and validation stages. Observers (including nurse researchers and pre-doctoral students), who introduced themselves to the group prior to session commencement, sat separately. This group of individuals listened, observed, and noted down participant body language, interaction tone, and the room's ambience. In what way is the method of obtaining subjects appropriate? Justify your answer.

(2) Response: A current randomized control trial under the online "WRITE (Written Representation Intervention to Erase) Symptoms" symptom management program and the NOCC's (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition's) Pittsburgh chapter were used to select study subjects. The above method of obtaining subjects is appropriate in that, it culls a small sample of the population from a bigger population, using it for researching and making generalizations regarding the wider population.

Hence, this sampling technique helps generate an easy-to-handle sample, which accurately represents the wider population group (Benedetti, Bee and Espa, 2010). In what way is the size of the sample used adequate? Justify your answer. (2) Response: A total of thirteen surviving women, once diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and aged between 26 and 69 years (mean age - 51.31) constituted the study sample. Sample size ascertainment represents a key study design element. The aim is including ample participants in order to achieve statistically significant outcomes.

The size of the sample used has been adequate, and highly valuable, for this study particularly because this research's whole population is not easy to access. Not many people are willing to provide insights into aspects like a research phenomenon's stratification hierarchy (Singh & Masuku, 2014). In what way was the setting in which data were collected an appropriate one for this study? Why? Justify your answer. (2) Response: The setting in which data were collected was an appropriate one for this study.

A quiet and isolated room in a local coffee shop' was the focus groups' setting. Such a setting was appropriate, mainly, because a non-clinical, open, and informal atmosphere allows participants to mull over and discuss their past experiences. The casual atmosphere was facilitated further through the provision of snacks and drinks to participants. To have a successful, meaningful conversation, interviewees must be relaxed. Additionally, the setting should be comfortable, without any glaring lights or loud music and noise.

Considering this study's sensitive nature, it is imperative for respondents to be well-settled and relaxed. The chosen local setting, with its casual ambience, was able to satisfactorily achieve this. Indicate the type of consent obtained and institutional review board approval. (2) Response: Before every focus group session, consent forms were taken from participants and they were assured of data confidentiality and anonymity with regard to the interview, focus group, and validation stages.

Researchers gained the approval of Pittsburgh University's IRB (Institutional Review Board) for the research's protocol, before recruiting participants. In what way were the steps taken to protect the rights of subjects adequate? (2) Response: The steps taken to protect the rights of subjects were adequate, as they keep the following aspects in mind: 1) Respect for individuals: This encompasses recognizing people's independence and personal dignity, and having separate, exclusive protections in place for individuals whose autonomy is lessened. This ideal lies behind a need for obtaining informed consent.

Prospective study subjects must be regarded as people who have the capacity of making deliberate judgments. Hence, they should receive thorough information of what will transpire and what is required of them in the course of the study. Their participation must be entirely voluntary, without any kind of force. Concurrently, for participants whose self-determination ability has diminished, proper, exclusive protection needs to be offered. 2) Beneficence: This involves a duty to safeguard individuals from all kinds of harm, through the minimization of potential threats of harm and maximization of expected benefits.

This principle lies behind a need for performing a benefit/risk analysis and minimizing risks. 3) Justice: This entails fair distribution of research burdens and advantages. Respondents must be accorded fair treatment. Study subject selection must be equitable, to ensuring sharing of burdens and advantages at societal as well as individual levels.

Data Collection Procedure and Appropriateness of Data Analysis Methods Identify the data collection procedures used and provide a description of how the data was collected (2) Response: The data collection procedures used in this study included a combination of in-depth interviewing and focus groups. An isolated and quiet room in a Pittsburgh cafe was the setting chosen for focus group meetings. The data was collected for the study in the following way: In-depth interviewing was performed over the phone.

Five respondents (one respondent was chosen from every focus group) were contacted between 1 and 5 months following completion of focus group for offering a detailed account of their experiences, which they communicated in the course of focus group discussions. Focus group discussions were conducted as follows: All participants were given individual copies of the study's key questions, cue cards having the word "self-advocacy" typed on them for reminding them of the discussion's main subject, and pen and paper for taking down notes.

The questions posed to them were: • What does "self-advocacy" signify for you? • What attempts will you make towards symptom management? • Is there any additional information or remark you wish to add with regard to symptom management or self-advocacy that you feel I ought to know? In what way were the data collection procedures used consistent with the purpose of the qualitative approach selected? Clearly justify your answer.

(2) Response: The data collection procedures used were consistent with the purpose of the qualitative approach selected in that they, firstly, enable primary data gathering, which constitutes a key component of a large number of research projects. Participant interviews refer to discussions, typically one-to-one discussions between the participant and a researcher, aimed at acquiring information with regard to a particular collection of topics. These discussions may be carried out face-to-face or via telephone. Interviews and surveys differ with regard to the extent of interactional structure.

Focus groups refer to dynamic group discourses for information gathering. Secondly, adoption of appropriate methods guarantees consistent and orderly qualitative data collection. Moreover, these data gathering modes increased findings' validity, reliability, and accuracy. In the end, they helped accomplish the aim of performing a superior-quality study with credible outcomes. Define data saturation. (1) Response: The term 'data saturation' may be defined as the point at which researchers can no longer see or hear any fresh facts or data (Fusch and Ness, 2015).

What evidence is there that data saturation was achieved? Describe fully. (1) Response: One can say that data saturation was achieved in this study as sufficient information exists to enable research replication, when it is not possible to achieve more coding, and when the capacity of acquiring further, fresh information is attained (Fusch and Ness, 2015). Specific Data Analysis Procedures Used Identify the qualitative data analysis procedures used to examine the data (2) Response: Descriptive statistics were used to examine the data.

This qualitative data analysis procedure permits summarization of disease and demographic data. Define the qualitative data analysis procedures used. (2) Response: The qualitative data analysis procedures used in this study may be described as follows: All qualitative information's content analyses adhered to an iterative approach of constant comparison by means of axial coding. Subthemes and themes were derived from interview/focus group transcripts, deliberated over, and decided on by study subjects via an iterative approach.

The in-depth participant interviews conducted were checked to ensure consistency with the findings of focus group sessions. Every completed and returned validation sheet (n = 13) suggested consistency with subthemes and themes. Researchers evaluated final categories and themes for ensuring their consistency, detail, and mutual exclusiveness, as well as making sure they properly represented the in-depth interview, validation findings, and focus group. In what way(s) are the data analysis procedures appropriate for the data collected? Clearly justify your answer.

(4) Response: The data analysis procedures -- descriptive statistics -- are appropriate for the data collected in that, firstly, they allow for information presentation in a better, more meaningful manner, facilitating easier interpretation. Secondly, such an analysis is suitable for the research, since its key aim is outcome outlining, justification, and validation. Description results from creative examination, and functions to organize study findings, for fitting them with the justifications provided and subsequently validating or testing those justifications. Thirdly, descriptive research is able to glean rich information resulting in major recommendations.

Thus, descriptive statistics help explain study data's fundamental features. They offer straightforward outlines of the measures and study sample. Combined with easy graphics analysis, descriptive statistics form the base of nearly all qualitative data analyses. In what way(s) are the data analysis procedures consistent with the qualitative method used? Clearly justify your answer. (4) Response: The data analysis procedures are consistent with the qualitative method used, as research's descriptive function relies heavily on instrumentation to conduct measurements and observations.

Hence, researchers will strive towards perfecting instrumentation, for ensuring the resultant measurement is reliable, generalizable, and accurate. Standardized tests and other instruments for diverse purposes, as well as innumerable well-validated questionnaires represent some instruments which glean useful descriptive information. Following development of the instruments, one can utilize them in describing phenomena that research scholars are interested in examining.

Themes Identified (4) -- Name and Briefly Describe Each Identified Theme Response: The following themes have been identified: Knowing who I am and ensuring my psyche remains intact: This depicts the forceful internal process engaged in by survivors for self-advocacy. Knowing what I require and striving towards it: This reflects survivors' resolve to obtain support, information, and collaboration for symptom improvement.

Specific Results Obtained In YOUR OWN WORDS, what are the outcomes of the study? What did the study reveal? Provide a DETAILED response of at least ONE FULL PARAGRAPH as this is worth 8 points! (8) Response: The outcomes of the study are as follows: This research offers a new way to define 'self-advocacy', using lived experiences of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

While symptom management encompasses information-seeking, determination of management approaches, and collaboration with fellow survivors and healthcare workers, living with those symptoms covers women's feelings, psychological adjustments, and attitudes towards surviving cancer and being faced with mortality. Balancing the aforementioned distinct areas necessitates constant negotiation of symptom management in relation to their psychological, social, and physical welfare.

The descriptions provided by the survivors have revealed that, in self-advocacy, survivors need to delineate their respective preferences, evaluate different therapeutic and management approaches' benefits and risks on the basis of their personal priorities, and ensure, in collaboration with their healthcare providers, that their requirements are being met. Self-advocacy in the cancer survivorship context has garnered considerable support from policy, clinical, and research circles. Evidence of Auditability/Decision Trail/Member checks Define decision trail.

(1) Response: Decision trails may be defined as clear accounts of steps taken in a research venture, right from its inception to findings creation and reporting. Decision trials represent records maintained with regard to what was performed in the course of a study. Was a decision trail developed? Was it reported in sufficient detail? Clearly justify your answer. (3) Response: Yes. A decision trail was developed, but was not reported in sufficient detail. For instance, it lacks the expected additional documents presented as appendices, and notes.

Nevertheless, the study does include a decision trail that expresses study subjects' concerns, recruitment process, research settings, and the way researcher-participant interactions progressed. A total of thirteen survivors of cancer took part in the study. Additionally, themes were used to convey their individual concerns and steps taken to prepare for the data gathering phase were included. However, literature that records interviewer's experiences as qualitative research data is missing from the decision trail.

Strengths and Limitations What are two major strengths of the scientific merit of this study? (This does NOT refer to outcomes of the study). Address credibility and confirmability (2) Response: Two major strengths of the scientific merit of this study are: 1) The basis of this study was primary data gathered by researchers, as well as an audit trail, both of which combined to present adequate information. 2) As a random sample of respondents was chosen, bias was highly eliminated.

What are two major limitations of the scientific merit of this study? (2) Response: Two major limitations of the scientific merit of this study are: 1) The study sample comprised of a small, highly-educated cluster of survivors of ovarian cancer with a likelihood of being better off compared to survivors who could not participate in the study. 2) As participants were chosen randomly, they might not adequately represent the whole population of females having a history of ovarian cancer. To what extent are the study findings valid? Justify your answer.

(2) Response: The study findings are valid only as far as their application to a cluster of ovarian cancer-diagnosed females who receive superior-quality treatment. Furthermore,.