Quantitative Critique

The appellation is specific and concise, it is representative of the look into report. From the name the focus of the mull is understood including what was studied, who was studied, and where the turn over took place. It is similarly accurate and unambiguous. The title also described the study design, therefore the reader was non profane on the info presented. Researcher credibility from each(prenominal) one of the third lookers credential and affiliations ar disclosed on the first page of the article.All of the questioners pass credentials in nursing investigate, however none of them disclosed any in doion on their expertise in the atomic number 18a of low, interventions to decrease depressive symptoms, or working with incarcerated women. concord to Coughlan, Cronin, & adenosine monophosphate Ryan (2007) an motives qualifications and job title can be a useful indicator into the look intoers knowledge of the area under probe and ability to ask the curb ques tions. The first author held a clinical position in the institution, this was non disclosed until further into the article, I scent that this information could in anyow been disclosed sooner in the article. This could possibly match a conflict of interest, especially if the incarcerated women were familiar with the first author. The first authors clinical position in the prison enhances the study findings as he has worked with the population. However, this could be conflict of interest since he is an employee of the institution. Abstract The abstract is concise and summarizes the satisfying study.Also read thisCritique of Stuff Is Not SalvationIt is dual-lane into sub de wear outments of screen plunk forground, objectives, methods, effects, discussion, and let out words. The objective is clearly acresd, which is to ready the feasibility of providing a g hold oner-responsive wreak intervention within a correctional facility and observe the make of the exercise program in respect to levels of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and sensed song among incarcerated women. The methods are listed and clearly stated which include 3 self-administered instruments which were completed before encompassment and during treatment.This section allowed the reader to fully understand how the authors conducted the study. The results section highlighted the findings from the study and makes the reader want to continue reading the article. Even though the savor sizing was genuinely miniature. The discussion section reappraisaled the findings. Introduction/ background and literature review The introduction communicates the enquiry worry and its context (Polit & Beck, p. 63). In this article, a good background explanation of what the enigma is (incarcerated women and moral illness) with supporting evidence is presented.The article furnishs a thorough description on why this research is important, one reason states is that most treatment modalities are often establish on male treatment models or models that deem shown success in community-based populations rather than incarcerated populations (Harner, et. al. , p. 390) The review begins with stating evidence on depression, anxiety, and stress within the prison system, especially among women. It also provides a detailed description of Iyengar yoga and health. The section is well organized with good transitions.Several sources were reviewed by the authors in order to establish a lease for the study. The literature reviewed by the authors dates from 1996 to 2009, with principally primary sources and all were germane(predicate) to the topic of affable illness, incarcerated women, or Iyengar yoga. The articles reviewed that were not recent gave statistical entropy and may turn all over been more germane(predicate) if the statistics were more recent. All the articles were relevant to the problem and stressed the degree of psychical illness in incarcerated women.The art icle also noted that most research available has examined the effect of yoga and yoga-based exercises on cordial health outcomes apply a variety of various yoga styles, thus make it difficult to determine what nerve was most beneficial (Harner, et. al. , p. 390). Thus this research study macrocosm by dint of fills a gap to the existing knowledge and will hopefully provide better treatment options for incarcerated women with mental illness. The use of direct quotes was minimal doneout the article. The research problem has significance to nursing, however this was not made very clear in the article.Purpose/ Research Question/ Hypothesis The blueprint of the study was explicitly stated, establishing the feasibility of implementing a assort format exercise intervention, specifically a 12-week Iyengar yoga intervention, in a womans correctional facility (Harner, et. al. , p. 389). The phenomenon of interest was clearly be, as was the study population. The articles reviewed sh owed key evidence to support yoga and decreased levels of depression. The authors clearly described the limitations of the literature review to the reader, there was no published studies that reviewed Iyengar yoga and incarcerated individuals. Theoretical framework. The theoretical framework is based on the gender-responsive framework. It is unclear whether this is a nursing or non-nursing framework as it is not clearly defined. The gender-responsive framework is not clearly explained, thus making it difficult to determine its appropriateness for the study. This is one limitation of the study and could be addressed by clearly explaining the gender-responsive framework. Sampling The study population (incarcerated women) utilise non-probability purposive sampling was clearly stated and defined. The article discussed that this study was pick of a large study and a small sample coat was expected.Exclusion criteria was clearly stated. Due to security department vents the Department of Corrections generated and O.K. the list of potential enters before being contacted by the research team. This non-random sample or convenience sample generated 60 women, in which 21 concord to participate in the intervention. Retention of the sample population was clearly defined in the article with only 6 women completing the 12-week intervention. Due to the security concerns this method of sampling was the best approach. All positionors were discussed in regards to the sample size with demographics clearly defined.The sample size is important in quantitative research as a small sample is at risk of being overly representative of small subgroups within the target population (Coughlan, et. al. , 2007). The issue of power was addressed in the limitations section and was noted to be particular(a) for detecting linear trends over time. Ethics Ethical issues were discussed in this article. The authors state that informed assume was obtained in to each one case, although the m ethod in which consent was obtained was changed prior to the first inmates appointment. The issue of incentive gifts was also addressed and were not apply.The inmate did receive a certificate of completion at the end of the 12-week intervention. The research protocol for this study was approved by all institutional review boards including the DOC. The site for the interviews and site for the intervention were described. Privacy of the intervention was not discussed, however for approximately 2 weeks the intervention was relocated to a different lieu within the institution. The treatment of Iyengar yoga is ethically and politically acceptable. The risks to the inmates were participated in the study were minimized and the benefits maximized.Design. The design was a feasibility study or master study. It is based on a experimental method, where there is a manipulated intervention. According to Polit & Beck (2012) a pilot study is a small scurf version or trial run designed to tes t the methods to be utilize in a larger, more rigorous study. This was an useful design choice to answer the research question and to determine the need for a larger study. This design allowed the authors a chance to remove all the potential flaws before the larger study. in that respect was no random subsidization in this study as there was no control group, all participants were included in the yoga intervention. on that point was a consultant used in the study, but she had experience with medical research and has also conducted yoga-related intervention research with women. This consultants prior experience made her a trained member of the research team. The number of selective information collection points was appropriate. The participants were assessed on mental health measures of depression using 3 instruments to measure they were recorded at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Interviewer incline was removed removed with the use of the 3 self-administered instruments, however the first author was present during the time.The use of open-ended questions was also used and supplemented the quantitative data. This was steadying as participants were able to put their thoughts into words. The intervention of yoga was properly described through various journal articles and was properly implemented. However, one part of the yoga intervention that could reserve been better implemented was the use of a space that was quite and forego of outside interference. The article did address these issues, but didnt address what could have been done differently. This study analyzed attrition biases by comparing data to subjects who dropped out of the study.Another factor affecting internal validity is that of maturation, the participants mental health factor could have increased or decreased over time. Blinding was not used as all participants knew they were going to participate in the intervention of yoga. entropy collection All experimental research must included a met hod for evaluating the effects of the independent protean on the dependent protean. This study used three instruments that were identified and each was discussed in full detail. The open-ended questions were also described and examples of questions were provided.The instruments used were appropriate for the study as each targeted a different dimension of depression, anxiety, and stress. Each of the previously designed instruments were the most appropriate. The one concern on the data collection method is that the instruments were self-administered at the end of yoga class (weeks 4, 8, and 12). It was stated that near participants felt particularly anxious about the yoga session ending late, which would result in disciplinary action. By making the data collection at the end of the yoga intervention did some participants rush, making their data less accurate.The reliability and validity of each of the 3 instruments used in the study were discussed and each showed consistency in me asuring the specific outcomes. The operational definition is harmonious for the variables being studied (depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress at baseline). There is no concern for subjectivity as each participant severally fills out the 3 instruments that are being used in the study. Data analysis When percentages were reported in the study, the overall numbers (n) was also reported.The research question was appropriately analyzed and broken down into the 3 instruments used to measure mental health. The varying sample sizes are noted through the tables and were clearly defined in the article as participants dropped out of the study. There was no room for type I and II errors, as the data analysis was straight-forward. There was no chance for different interpretations on the part of the researcher. A p-value was used as one statistical methods used and it be an overall linear decrease over time, however the article suggests that a nonlinear model may be more appropriate.The p-value was an appropriate test to run, however it doesnt tell weather the findings are important or applicable. The regression analysis was an appropriate test in answering the research question. This was appropriate because in simple regression one dependent variable (depression, anxiety, and stress) can be compared to the independent variable (weeks when instruments administered). However, there were not a lot of statistical tests run on the data, this could be collectible to the fact that there was no control group to compare the data with.The least(prenominal) square means method and the mixed model parameters were used to treat the data. The article also charted out the descriptive statistics for mental health measures over time. This was a helpful chart as it laid out the data stash a vogue in an easy to read format. All data collected due to the small sample size and limited power, comparisons were made and guesswork were generated to be tested in the la rger study (Harner, et. al. , p. 392). A dyed Fishers exact test was used and p-values were less than . 20 for associations between drop-out and race, education, and current musculoskeletal problems (Harner, et. l. , p. 395). This was the correct test to be used because it tested the significance of differences in proportions (Polit, & Beck, p. 421). Results The results were cohesively presented and well organized using many tables and graphs that clearly outlined the findings of the study. The purpose of the study was referenced at the beginning of the results section making it clear was was being presented. The research questions were answered and statistical evidence was provided to show outcomes measures. Statistical significance was found for depression, but not for anxiety or stress.Statistical significance assists the researcher in popular opinion out one important threat to validity, which is that the result could be due to chance rather than to real difference in the p opulation (Coughlan, et. al. , p. 662). The small sample size could have been a factor in this findings. descriptive statistics were presented, thence inferential statistics were discussed including a discussion on participant dropout. A figure was created to show the assessment of dropout according to baseline mental health status, this figure was a little busy and quite difficult to read.A bar chart may have been more useful to attract this data. A post hoc power analysis was also performed. This was done so the researchers could determine whether the yoga intervention was significantly more effective than no intervention. spot reading the results section of the article the descriptive results were presented last. I feel as though another header could have been added to include the logistics of the study and then proceed into the reults. Discussion In the discussion section, all of the findings from the study are discussed within the original framework.The discussion section was broken down into three sections feasibility, efficacy, and limitations. The section extended beyond the results section and addressed some unanticipated events that came up during the study and how the intervention was able to continue despite these events. The problem of retention of participants was brought up and with suggestions on how to minimize these dropouts in further studies. Researchers referred back to literature cited in the literature review. The limitations are addressed concisely and are appropriate for this feasibility study.The researches addressed the fact that a control group was not used due to security reasons, I feel that this could have been addressed earlier in the paper to assist the reader in fully understanding the statistical data. Implications/ recommendations Specific recommendations for research are discussed at the conclusion of the article. The researchers defined numerous areas of purifyment for future studies. Barriers to the study were also add ressed. The researchers addressed that this was the first attempt in addressing a gender-responsive Iyengar yoga program to improve confidence and reduce the stress of incarcerated women (Harner, et. l. , p. 398). Recommendations were made for future studies and ways in which to improve future interventions to benefit health outcomes of incarcerated populations. Overall evaluation It was quite interesting to see how the yoga intervention affected the incarcerated women in regards to depression, anxiety, and stress. The researchers selected an important problem and one that could have strong effects in our state or federal prison system for women. Critical thinking and reflection were discernable in that the researchers at one time had to change the study location due to extenuating circumstances.The research study expanded knowledge on the effects of the Iyengar yoga intervention on incarcerated women and opened the door for future studies to be performed. The limitations were unav oidable and expected as this was a feasibility study to determine the need for a larger study. The results leave a small center of confidence that the yoga intervention decreased the level of depression, anxiety, and stress among incarcerated women. However, a larger study involving numerous womens correctional institutions that included both a control and experimental group may yield more confidence.This study inspired the need for further research. This article is worthy of publication as it lays a ground work for future research. I would be regal to have my name on this research as it is groundbreaking and hopefully will create a better tool to treat mental illness in our correctional facilities than psychotropic medications alone. The finding are relevant and accessible to practicing nurses in correctional facilities. This may pave a way for nurses in these types of facilities to create interventions that help with a wide array of health problems.