Qualitative Paper Directions for Assignment
Please read through these step by step directions for a better understanding of the assignment. At the end you will see a video presentation going over the rubric and how to submit.
Step 1: Introduction
Write an introduction to the topic and end the paragraph with a thesis statement. The introduction should include 2-3 attention grabbing statements and end with 1 concise thesis statement that describes the overall purpose of your paper.
Step 2: Describing Qualitative Research
Describe what qualitative research is in your own words. Then discuss how and what type of Qualitative Data you would collect related to your POI. For example, if I was interested in knowing what it is like to be a parent in the hospital, then I might decide to interview (how) mothers and fathers of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit patients. I would look for themes (based on data saturation collected in interviews) in their answers until I collected enough information to find trends in the data. I might use that data to then develop new teaching methods to better prepare parents for caring for the baby based on the themes uncovered. Be sure to clearly identify that the information you are gathering is qualitative in nature. Sometimes, you might describe a process that could be used qualitatively or quantitatively, like a questionnaire, so it is important to provide enough information to ensure you are demonstrating a thorough understanding of qualitative literature collection.
Step 3: Appraisal Tools, Studies and Matrix
Locate your 2 qualitative studies so you can appraise each separately with the tool below. Students must include one (1) of your studies should be a (Qualitative) meta-ethnography, meta-study, meta-summary, critical interpretive synthesis, thematic synthesis, systematic review, or meta-synthesis. (Keep in mind that a meta-synthesis is not a literature review, but more of a compilation of findings that are examined, broken down and looked at for similar phenomena, others may refer to them as interpretations of findings).The other study must be a qualitative single study; examples of qualitative single studies include: phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, case study, and a narrative analysis. Once you have found 2 different qualitative study designs as specified, complete an appraisal tool for each study using the following link. Only complete the section of the tool related to the qualitative appraisal.
Keep in mind that you may need to vary your search strategy to find your qualitative literature. For example, if I am looking at pain tools in children, I may not be able to find any qualitative literature on this specific search, so I will look for a similar topic that impacts the patient such as: anxiety, depression, ICU pscyhosis, sleep disturbances. All of these subtopics may also be impacted by pain in children. Talk to your instructor for guidance if needed.
Use this tool to complete the appraisals for both qualitative studies separately. Attach the completed tool to your paper or with your assignment.
Appraisal Tool. PDF download
Appraisal Tool Word Document download
Follow all steps carefully as the tool will guide you which steps to move to in each section of the tool.
For help on how to complete the tool, watch this video. (Links to an external site.)
Creating an Evidence Matrix
The matrix is a continuation of the matrix you originally submitted in Module 3. Therefore, you will now have 4 studies included on the matrix. Highlight or Bold the NEW studies for the qualitative paper appraisal. You need to correct any mistakes or issues that you may have had with the matrix submitted with the quantitative paper or you will be counted off again on this paper. This document will be used again in 611 if you are in the DNP track, so be sure to put it in a safe place that you will be able to easily find again. The matrix should be included as an appendix OR you may upload as a separate attachment if needed. Use either link below to complete, one is a pdf, the other is a word document.
Matrix PDF downloadPreview the documentyou will need to complete the matrix for this assignment
Matrix Word Document downloadPreview the document
SUBMISSION:
You will need to submit your 2 studies, completed appraisal tools and completed matrix (with each qualitative study included on it) along with your assignment. The documents may be submitted separately or merged to the paper.
Step 4: Article Discussion
Use the information from your appraisal tool to discuss in detail the following information for each study:
Purpose or phenomenon, research design and Methodology (steps, procedures and strategies for gathering and analyzing data) used in each study
Data Collection: the discussion must include phenomenon or themes discovered, sample of participants or studies included, how selected, if data saturation was used, etc.
Credibility and Trustworthiness: Discuss concepts of credibility and trustworthiness which include dependability, confirmability and transferability. Each of these terms should be fully discussed to demonstrate understanding. Support the concepts with evidence from each study.
To understand trustworthiness and credibility, check out these links:
Trustworthiness and Credibility Video (Links to an external site.)
Results and Clinical Implications should be discussed.
Level of evidence and quality of evidence ratings (according to tool). Discuss what the level and quality ratings mean in relation to strength of the evidence and decision to sue (or not use) this information to guide practice. You need to fully support this section from evidence in the study and other resources. Understanding the levels of evidence tells you about the type of study performed, design, methods, etc. and if those findings should be applied to your own practice area. Grade of Recommendation is important because it helps you make a judgement about the quality of evidence; together they impact the decision about implementation into practice.
The following tool can be used to help you determine strength and quality, but this information is also listed directly on the tool.
John Hopkins Evidence Rating Scale download
Other helpful links to understanding this information can be found in the required and recommended resources.
Be sure that you attach your 2 studies to the paper/assignment.
Step 5: Applicability to Practice and Future Research
Discuss the findings from each study in practice and how you will use them to make a change. Review your model selected from the Forum Discussion and determine where you are in the next step of the process of implementation. The discussion should include the EBP or QI model that demonsrates best fit for your POI. Be sure to include why it is a better fit than the other. Next consider what is still needed before changes can be made. Careful consideration of who, what, and how you would implement changes is needed and should detail: stakeholder involvement, financial, structural or process changes needed (at least one of these concepts must be discussed), technology support, ethical considerations such as HIPAA or Institutional Review Board approvals. Support with peer reviewed references.
Step 6: Conclusion
Provide a conclusion to the paper summarizing all main points. A conclusion should NOT state any new information that was not previously addressed in the paper. While it can re-state the purpose of your writing, it should not repeat the thesis verbatim. Additionally, it should summarize the main points of each section.
Step 8: Turnitin
Be sure to submit your paper (excluding title page and references) to turnitin. You do not have to submit your matrix, appraisal tools or articles to turnitin as they will skew your similarity report findings. If this happens, please just let your instructor know and re-submit the paper without those items. See Rubric for specific directions on references, APA and scholarship.
See Rubric for specific Scholarship deductions.
Page limit: 6 pages, excluding title page, references, appendices and/or attachments.
References: you must include at least 2 additional peer reviewed references, 2 appraisal studies and textbooks. Resources should be current, no older than 5 years. A minimum of 5 references are expected.
