Data Analysis and Nurses

Sundborg et al. (2012) conducted a quantitative study, which examined the preparedness of nurses to provide care for women who are exposed to intimate partner violence (p.1). The study was carried out on the premise that intimate partner violence (IPV) has significant effect on women's health. Therefore, nurses need adequate preparations to identify such victims and provide suitable interventions. While the study provides significant insights relating to nurses' preparedness in handling such patients, there are some drawbacks associated with it as demonstrated in this critique.

The sample for this study was randomly selected from the 174 primary health care centers that employ approximately 1,200 active nurses in Stockholm County (Sundborg et al., 2012, p.3). Since the sample was selected randomly, a probability sampling method was utilized by the researchers. Every individual in the sampling population had equal chance of being included in the study. The results from this sampling method were representative of the population since random sampling enables extrapolation of findings to the whole population. This sampling method did not introduce any bias because every individual in the sample population had equal chances of being considered and every primary health care center (PHCC) in the county was contacted and invited to participate in the research. The sample size was identified through a randomization process in which each PHCC has a unique number written on a card and placed in a pot. This resulted in identifying an adequate sampling size that represented the entire population. The rights of participants were ensured through protection of privacy and confidentiality as well as liberty to withdraw at any time. However, the researchers did not clearly identify eligibility criteria and delimitations for participating in the study.

Data Collection

Data collection instruments for this study are clearly identified since the researchers utilized a questionnaire, which was reviewed and modified by Statistics Sweden, a professional survey designer. Given the nature of this research, the use of questionnaires that were distributed to the selected primary health care centers in the county was appropriate. The data collection procedures are similar for all subjects since a similar questionnaire with 29 questions was used in each PHCC that participated in the study. Consequently, this data collection instrument was reliable and valid to generate findings that could be representative of the entire population. Nonetheless, the researchers did not establish the reliability and validity of the data collection instruments prior to the study. The research does not also provide information on methods utilized by the researchers to test the reliability and validity of this data collection instrument. This is a major drawback of this study given that testing the reliability and validity of data collection instruments is crucial towards generating accurate findings.

Data Analysis

For data analysis, the researchers utilized statistical software STATA 9.0 in which summary and frequency tables was used to evaluate all variables in this research (Sundborg et al., 2012, p.3). The level of measurement was suitable for the statistics used since Pearson's chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance. The descriptive statistics reported in this study include nurses' perception of common attitudes toward IPV, patterns in confirming women's exposure to IPV, and preparedness of nurses of handle women exposed to IPV. The inferential statistics reported in this study are how nurses received training for dealing with IPV either vocational/professional training or personal initiative. These inferential statistics were suitable for the hypothesis since they indicated nurses' preparedness to handle patients exposed to IPV. However, the level of significance and reliability for the current study is not reported in the data analysis section despite the use of a two-step multivariate logistic regression analysis to test the hypothesis.

Analysis of Findings/Discussion

The hypothesis in this study was supported as the researchers found that there are weaknesses about nurses' preparedness to care for female patients exposed to intimate partner violence. The results of this study were interpreted in the context of the hypothesis, theoretical framework, and problem. This is evidenced in the fact that researchers examined the results based on personal attitudes of nurses, organizational conditions, personal experiences, and training. Following this contextual analysis, the study provides generalizations on the extent with which nurses are prepared to care for women exposed to IPV. There are two unwarranted interpretations of causality made by these researchers i.e. organizational conditions and personal attitudes towards intimate partner violence. The tables and graphs utilized in the data analysis section support the text or findings in the discussion section.