Critical Appraisal of Article

Critical Appraisal of Article

Name

Institution

Critical Appraisal of Article

Clinical experts have conducted research on the health of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Grandparents who took care of their grandchildren often suffered from various health ailments. From the statistics they got, clinical experts concluded that the phenomenon was indeed true. Their aim in writing this article was to come up with new interventions that would improve health outcomes. This essay critically assesses the research. It is organized in four sections: methods, results, discussion and conclusion where each section will address the questions accordingly.

Methods

The clinicians based their conclusion on grandmothers and grandfathers taking care either of their grandchildren who were 16 years or below (Susan et. al, 2010). It is evident that human rights were protected in this research since participants’ were given liberty to choose whether they would take part in the research or not. Those who agreed to take part signed a contract that gave the researchers the authority to use their findings in writing their report. Observing the journal, details on data collection have been presented clearly and sensibly. There is a flow of ideas guided by subtitles in the article such as design and sampling method, procedure and intervention. Hence, one is able to comprehend the thoughts behind it.

The article gave detailed information about the research. The methods used in choosing the sample were relevant to their study. They made use of 529 women as their sample meaning that the sample size was adequate. From this sample size, probability estimation and distribution methods can be used to represent a larger portion of the scenario in a country. The method used by the clinicians was also appropriate since they were able to get all the statistics that they needed. Moreover, the article explained how the researchers had managed to reduce the sample’s effectiveness. Clinicians used methods that enabled them access their patients easily. This was through keeping close communication contact with the participants via regular phone calls. Registered nurses were also included in their data collection because of their expertise in the medical field.

The instruments used in the study seemed appropriate. They included conducting health assessments using the relevant gadgets and questionnaires in data collection. Medically verified machines such as weight machines and tape measures were used to measure their body mass index that was part of their research. The article put into focus the problem and addressed it using professional approach. Going through the article, one would be able to make conclusions on the content provided. The structure used was organized since they had looked for permission from relevant parties such as authorization from their university. Their method is also valid since they used specialized instruments like the blood pressure machines that doctors use in their analysis. Data collected from such gadgets are reliable since they make minimal errors.

Results

The article presented a clearly analyzed full report on statistical data related to the topic. This can be observed through mathematical analysis made such as averages and standard deviation. These methods make presentation of data efficient since the results received from these calculations can be represented in various forms such as pie charts, tables and graphs. In this specific article, a table was used to represent the arithmetical figures. However, this may not have been the most appropriate method they could have used. Combined line and bar graphs would be preferable since one would be able to make visual comparisons with ease. Tabular representations are normally time-consuming when making conclusive statements though they represent the exact figures.

Discussion

Clinicians made conclusions about the health of grandparents who took care of their grandchildren. Results were written while referring to the analysis they had made earlier. For example, they were able to conclude that most of the grandparents who took care of their grandchildren in the absence of their parents suffered from ill health. These results also gave them an opportunity to put into use the appropriate measures that can help clinicians improve health standards in the society. The conclusions were linked to the statistics that were evident in the results. The article made use of problem and purpose approach in concluding the report.

Going through the report, one can understand the limitations faced in writing such kinds of statements. These include non-compliance from the participants at certain stages of the research (Gaugler et. al, 2009). Participants may feel obliged to give false statements that are best known to their knowledge and interest hence leading to misappropriations in the conclusions made. It is important to note that this report is relevant to nursing students. This is because knowledge acquired from this report may help them in making diagnosis to old people. They are also able to offer guidance and counseling to those who are taking care of their grandchildren appropriately.

The article on grandparents taking care of their grandchildren gives an insight to nursing students. They learn of different ways in which they can help the society and especially the old. It was written resourcefully since all the information about the research was explained in detail. The conclusions made by the clinicians can be put into use in the society in order to improve the health standards. Therefore, from a critical angle, the investigation was a success having observed all the requirements needed and followed the necessary steps in conducting a research.

References

Susan, J. K., Whitley, D. M. & Campos, E. P. (2010). Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren: Results of an Intervention to Improve Health Outcomes. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 379-384, doi: 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2010.01371.x

Gaugler, J. E., Linder, J., Given, C. W., Kataria, R., Tucker, G.,& Regine,W. F. (2009). Family cancer caregiving and negative outcomes: The direct and meditational effects of psychosocial resources. Journal of Family Nursing, 15, 41–44