Write a critical appraisal that demonstrates comprehension of two qualitative research studies. Use the “Research Critique Guidelines – Part 1” document to organize your essay. Successful completion of this assignment requires that you provide rationale, include examples, and reference content from the studies in your responses.

Use the practice problem and two qualitative, peer-reviewed research article you identified in the Topic 1 assignment to complete this assignment.

Qualitative data has been described as voluminous and sometimes overwhelming to the researcher. Discuss two strategies that would help a researcher manage and organize the data.

Qualitative data is looking at the “why” behind the behaviors in question. This type of research often means asking people to disclose personal information to you about their experiences and feelings. This is not the type of collecting that is analyzed into statistical data sets. This is data that is expressed feelings and experiences so creating transcripts of interviews conducted is an effective way to manage the information. Recording how the participant was feeling and the experiences described is the goal of the researcher. This will mean recording what is really said instead of interpreting the information and making conclusions and summaries of the information. Having a transcript of the conversation will provide a basis to make notes on and glean information from later. Care needs to be taken to protect the participants identities in the transcripts.

Another way to manage the data collected is to code the data based on similarities. Once a researcher has several transcripts to review, they can begin coding and identifying the areas of similarity between interviews. Coding is used enough that researchers have developed software systems that help them organize their transcripts. Items can be highlighted in various colors to represent the different coded areas. By grouping the information the researcher can see larger patterns in responses and begin to form hypotheses about the problem.

Sutton, J., & Austin, Z. (2015). Qualitative Research: Data Collection, Analysis, and Management. The Canadian journal of hospital pharmacy, 68(3), 226–231.

The collection and management of data for a qualitative nursing study entails not only a sufficient amount of time, but also a high level of flexibility, fluidity, and creativity (Green and Johnson, 2018). The process evolves as the study is carried out as it adapts to the dynamic characteristics of the identified participants. While it involves an in-depth discussion of personal thoughts and feelings with the participants, the researcher takes precautions to ensure that the study remains objective and unbiased by maintaining professional boundaries and adhering to professional standards of practice (Green and Johnson, 2018)

Green and Johnson identified at least four methodologies that can help researchers manage and organize the data for a qualitative study. Among these methodologies include conducting interviews which can either be structured and unstructured. Structured interviews involve a set of standardized questions that are predetermined based on the goals of the study. Unstructured interviews involve questions that are not prearranged but are spontaneous and are developed during the course of the interview depending on the interviewee’s responses. Although they are designed to be more informal and free-flowing, unstructured interviews involve probing questions to gather the thoughts of the interviewee about the subject matter. In both types of interviews, transcripts of conversations are needed (Green and Johnson, 2018). The other methodology is through a focus group where a group of people are assembled for a free-flowing discussion. Members of the focus groups are usually selected based on a criteria determined prior to the selection of members. The interviewer functions as the moderator who prepares a set of questions that will be explored during the discussion. Transcripts of conversations are also documented or recorded.  

Reference

Green, S. and Johnson, J., 2018. Research Ethics and Evaluation of Qualitative Research. Nursing Research: Understanding Methods for Best Practice. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs433v/nursing-research-understanding-methods-for-best-practice/v1.1/#/chapter/2