Research critique and evaluation methodology

Promoting responsiveness between mothers with depressive symptoms and their infants: A Critical Review

Critical Analysis of Purpose

The stated purpose of the research conducted is to examine whether an interactive coaching intervention could be utilized to promote healthy responsiveness between mothers who are depressed during pregnancy and their infants. The research is scientifically grounded and based on previous studies which suggest that depression may impact maternal behavior and threaten the well being and development of the maternal-infant relationship post delivery.

The authors do an adequate job of defining why postpartum depression may pose a risk to both mothers and their babies in the post delivery period. The cite studies which suggests that mothers suffering from the disorder are more withdrawn and hostile, more avoidant, discontent and less affectionate with their babies. All of these factors have the potential according to other research backing the study to affect the infant's growth and development.

The study is based on the notion that little scientific information currently exists with regard to the clinical management of postpartum depression. The author is successfully attempting to identify a new avenue for addressing this serious problem.

Review of Literature

The references utilized to create this article and support this study seem abundant, though the literature review is lacking. The literature does make a point to cite other studies, which support the significance of postpartum depression as a serious disorder. The primary focus in fact of the literature review is to descried the risks associated with postpartum depressive disorders.

The authors do however cite a study conducted which examines various treatments for mood control, but the study cited suggested that no improvement was realized among the women suffering from postpartum depression. The article would have been better supported if more data was pulled for the literature review. The literature review was also incorporated into the introduction. The article would have benefited had the research from the literature review been segregated.

Research Design

The research design is solidly grounded in prior developmental models, which examine child development. These models support the notion that a relationship exists between a mothers mental state and her ability to remain emotionally sensitive to her newborn baby.

An experimental design is utilized for purposes of this study. The authors selected a random assignment for eligible participants to enter either the control or treatment group. This design correlates with similar studies, which also utilize experimental research design, a fact supported by the author's research and literature review.

The sample size however used by the group was relatively small (116 people), allowing the possibility that the sample size selected may not be representative of the population at large. Thus the conclusions drawn from the research may not be generalizeable to the population at large due to this small sample size.

Data Collection

The data collection methods were grounded in scientific theory and enabled collection of accurate information based on the results of the questionnaire's provided to patients participating in the study.

Ethics

This study deals with a very private and thus ethical issue. The researchers took great care to ensure that high standards of moral and ethical virtue were maintained for purposes of this project. The authors point out that they acquired approval prior to initiating the study. In addition, intensive training was required prior to commencement of the study.

The author would have done well to detail in greater detail the exact methods that were adopted to ensure the privacy and anonymity of each of the mothers participating in the study.

Presentation of Data/Conclusions

The presentation of the final data and conclusions could be improved upon. The author would have benefited by comparing each of the result segments with the hypothesis presented in the introduction of the article. For the most part the results were presented briefly. The author did incorporate however use of graphics to illustrate the results of the study, which enhances the readers overall understanding of study components.

The conclusion is also lacking. The discussion of the study carefully ties in the information gathered from the field with information assumed via the hypothesis. The conclusion is briefly stated, and affirms the author's original hypothesis. However, the authors would have benefited by expanding on the conclusion and linking the conclusion to the data gathered in the field.

Applicability to Field of Nursing Theory

The article reviewed is intimately related to the field of nursing theory. It utilizes scientific theory to make assumptions about the methods that could be adopted to improve treatment for postpartum depression. The author presents an experimental design that leads to a potential new screening mechanism for postpartum depression in at risk mothers.