Course material

1. Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical Consideration
Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical ConsiderationRough Draft Qualitative
Research Critique and Ethical ConsiderationPermalink: https:// /rough-draft-qual…al-
consideration/Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical
ConsiderationsQuantitative Research CritiqueQuantitative Study“Chun-Hung, L., Jui-Hsiu, T.,
Shihn-Sheng, W., Yang-Pei, C., Yen-Hsia m W., Jian-Shing, L. & For-Wey, L. (2014).
Quantitative comorbidity risk assessment of dementia in Taiwan: A population-based
cohort study. Medicine, 97(15), e0298. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000010298”Background
of StudyThe article contends that although dementia is acknowledged to be a burdensome
ailment among elderly patients, management efforts have been hindered by limited
knowledge on the multiple risk-factors for dementia. This is a source of concern since
medical personnel can simply focus on controlling the risk factors to effectively manage
dementia. The need for this information is further enhanced by the awareness that elderly
persons suffer from age-based declines that make them prone to chronic ailments. Based on
this knowledge, there is a need to develop a good understanding of the specific
comorbidities for dementia among elderly persons with the intervention of presenting a
simple, rapid and appropriate predictive tool. To facilitate the efforts, regression analysis
fitted with Bayesian inference approach is discussed as a good tool for comparing multiple
variables as is the present case. In this respect, the article quantitatively explores the
comorbidities linked with dementia. Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical
Considerations.Methods of StudyThe research applied a quantitative approach that used a
population-based cohort design. In this case, 4,749 dementia patients were recruited into
the study. These participants had been diagnosed with the dementia between 2000 and
2009, based on the International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical
Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnostic criteria (ICD-9-CM 290, 294.1–294.2, A210, A213, or
A222). They were older than 64 years in 2000. Another inclusion criteria was that the
participants had to have inpatient files for dementia. All the participants were recruited
from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Once the participants’ data
was collected, it was subjected to a logistical regression model that applied Bayesian
supervised learning inference. The model intended to assess the quantifiable effects of six
comorbidity risk factors and socio-demographic features for dementia in elderly persons as
identified in the Taiwan national longitudinal population-based database. The six
comorbidity risk factors included senile cataract, diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, severe
head injury, vascular disease, and depression. Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique

2. and Ethical Considerations. Other than the six comorbidity risk factors, analysis was also
conducted for socio-demographic factors that included gender, age, monthly income and
urban residence.The research methodology is appropriate. That is because it allowed the
study to access a large sample who were then recruited for the research. This implies that
the right data could be collected and subjected to statistical analysis before interpretation.
In essence, the methodology allowed for a true assessment of the factors that could
influence depression parameters among elderly patients. In addition, the comprehensive
exhibition of the research methodology expedites research replication efforts. Also, there is
an indication that researcher bias was minimized by using data collected from a previous
national survey so that the researcher did not need to prepare new data collection tools and
only had to ‘copy and paste’ data that was already available. The only notable shortcoming
that can be discerned in the methodology is that the authors do not mention if an
independent third-party was approached to conduct verification and accuracy checks
Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical Considerations. A second
shortcoming is that there is no mention about the software that was applied for data
analysis. This makes it difficult to verify the results in terms of truthfulness. The mentioned
shortcomings are an indication that there were opportunities for bias in the
research.Results of StudyThe study recruited 4,749 participants who met the inclusion
criteria. Statistical analysis results from the model indicated that advanced age, female
gender, urban residence and low income are socio-demographic risk factors for dementia
among elderly persons. In addition, the results indicated that the odds of dementia had a
direct correlation with the comorbidity and socio-demographic risk factors. This implies
that one factor had lower odds ratio when compared to two or more factors with the odds
increased with every increase in the number of factors that are present.These results are
valuable to nursing practitioners since they present evidence that support efforts to profile
dementia. They show a clear correlation between the dementia and factors under review so
that nurses will have evidence to support advice offered to patients with a plurality of
factors, particularly when the advice is in relation to dementia management. Although the
study does not make suggestions for future studies, it identifies limitations present in the
current study. Addressing the mentioned limitations is an opportunity for future research.
Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical Considerations.Ethical
ConsiderationsThere is evidence to show that the research was carried out following ethical
considerations. In fact, the study mentions that approval for the research was sought and
received from all affiliated institutions. In addition, it mentions that although the
requirement for informed consent was waived despite the research involving human
subjects, seeking informed consent was unnecessary. That is because the data used was
collected from a database and had been de-identified. The approval from the affiliated
institutions shows that they were convinced that the research would not harm the
participants and sufficient measures had been put in place for their protection. The four
measures show that the research was conducted in an ethical manner.ConclusionThe
research sought to develop a good understanding of the specific comorbidities for dementia
among elderly persons with the intervention of presenting a simple, rapid and appropriate
predictive tool. This is based on the understanding that although dementia is acknowledged

3. to be a burdensome ailment among elderly patients, management efforts have been
hindered by limited knowledge on the multiple risk-factors for dementia. To facilitate the
efforts, a quantitative approach was applied to include regression analysis fitted with
Bayesian inference approach is discussed as a good tool for comparing multiple variables as
is the present case. The participants had been diagnosed with the dementia between 2000
and 2009, and were recruited from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research
Database. In addition, they were older than 64 years in 2000 and had inpatient files for
dementia. The model intended to assess the quantitative effects of six comorbidity risk
factors and socio-demographic features for dementia in elderly persons to include senile
cataract, diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, severe head injury, vascular disease, depression,
gender, age, monthly income and urban residence. 4,749 participants who met the inclusion
criteria were recruited Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical
Considerations. The statistical analysis revealed that advanced age, female gender, urban
residence and low income are socio-demographic risk factors for dementia. It also showed
that odds of dementia had a direct correlation with the comorbidity and socio-demographic
risk factors. These results are valuable to nursing practitioners since they present evidence
that support efforts to profile dementia. They show a clear correlation between the
dementia and factors under review so that nurses will have evidence to support advice
offered to patients with a plurality of factors, particularly when the advice is in relation to
dementia management. Qualitative Research CritiqueQualitative Study“McDermott, O.,
Orrell, M. & Ridder, H. M. (2014). The importance of music for people with dementia: the
perspectives of people with dementia, family carers, staff and music therapists. Aging &
Mental Health, 18(6), 706-716. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2013.875124” Rough Draft
Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical ConsiderationsBackground of Study:I originally
began this study on ways that pets could have a positive impact on the treatment of
symptoms for the those that suffered from Alzheimer’s and Dementia, however discovered
there was little known research even though I have witnessed the positive outcomes a fur
baby can inflict on those suffering from such a brutal disease. There was, however more to
be said about how music therapy can positively impact the lives of these individuals.The
research study was conducted with the goal of identifying the value of using music-based
interventions to treat dementia. The authors identified that music-based interventions are
beneficial for managing dementia, particularly its psychological complications. Of interest is
the fact that music features that include dancing, singing and listening are easily accessible
and have presented positive results for home care of dementia patients since music can be
enjoyed in its own right and as a social activity. In addition, it is noted that the cognitive
functions related to music do not deteriorate for dementia patients. Despite this awareness,
it is noted that previous studies on the value of music-based interventions in dementia
management is that they do not provide a good link between theoretical frameworks and
the applied model. The implication is that there is a need to contextualize research
outcomes by developing a model for music use in dementia management. Based on this
awareness, the present research approached dementia as a process of cognitive decline that
worsens over time so that music is presented as an intervention that influences the process.
Still, it concedes that experiences with music influences specific psychosocial fixed and

4. tractable factors so that a study of the impact of music on dementia should evaluate the
psychosocial factors with a focus on the how and why for the model. Rough Draft
Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical Considerations As such, three goals are presented
to include exploring the meaning and value of music for dementia patients, investigating
how music is perceived for treating moderate to severe dementia, and exploring the link
between dementia and psychosocial factors to guide the development of a theoretical
model.Method of Study:The study applied a qualitative methodology that involved using
interviews and focus group discussions as tools for collecting primary data. In fact, the two
tools were managed by the lead researcher and presented to four group of participants. The
first group of participants are dementia patient living in care homes as well as their family
members. The second group of participants are staff at the care homes. The third group of
participants are dementia patients visiting day hospitals. The final group of participants are
music therapists. The study participants were recruited from two National Health Service
care homes where the lead research was engaged as a music therapist. The two homes
consented to be part of the research study. 69 residents in the two homes were persons
with dementia, of which the first home had 45 dementia patients while the second home
had 24 dementia patients. The dementia patients were approached for recruitment in the
study with invitation letters sent to invite them and their family members. The participants
were then subjected to individual interviews that included the family members for the
patients who had cognitive impairment and unclear speech that could easily be
misinterpreted. The focus group discussions were held for the four groups of participants
within the two care homes. During the course of the study, music therapists with a
minimum of four years’ experience were recruited from post graduate music therapy
programs and asked to use an active model that entail the patients exploring musical
instruments and voice-use during the therapy. The use of the active model was tailored for
each patient based on individual needs as well as each the music therapist’s capabilities and
experiences. The interviews and focus group discussions divided the participants into two
groups. The first group was the dementia patient who were asked what music meant to
them, what they thought about music therapy and if it was important to them. The second
group comprised of family members, care home staff and music therapists who were asked
the changes they observed in the patients following the use of music therapy, and how they
knew whether music was meaningful for the patient. The primary data collection phase
terminated when no new emerging themes could be identified in the interviews and focus
group discussions. The focus group discussions and interviews were audio recorded before
being subjected to thematic analysis. Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical
Considerations.Results of StudyThe research approached 44 families that met the inclusion
criteria of which 19 sent a reply. 15 of these families consented to participate in the study
by attending the focus group discussions and interviews. Overall, 53 study participants
were recruited to include 12 dementia patients who were residents in one of the two care
homes, 4 dementia patients who visited day hospitals, 15 family carers, 14 care home staff,
and 8 music therapists. These participants were divided into 17 interviews and 6 focus
group discussions conducted at times convenient for the participants. The collected primary
data was subjected to thematic analysis. The first theme used 61 transcription cards to note

5. that music was a readily available medium that caused mental stimulation and an
emotionally meaningful experience whether used for the immediate or short-term
engagement. The second theme used 48 transcription cards to note that music relied on
personal and cultural identity to facilitate memory retention, particularly when the lyrics
are linked to personal history. The third theme used 40 transcription cards to show that
music therapy is a novel experience that can build and sustain relationships while
maintaining music connectedness. The fourth theme used 30 transcription cards to identify
effects of music on the mood that included short-term mood improvement. The fifth theme
used 21 transcription cards to note that music had an effect on the care home environment.
The final theme used 34 transcription cards to note that music therapy improved
communication. The article concluded that music therapy is more effective in dementia
management when supported by personal music history, especially when the music and
interpersonal connectedness is sustained to maintain the quality of life.Ethical
ConsiderationsThe article presents details on the ethics procedure applied during the study.
It first notes that ethical approval was sought from the National Research Ethics Service
Committee for London East. Prior to inclusion in the study, informed consent was sought
from all the participants to include the patients, family members, music therapists, and
facility personnel. In this respect, the participants were protected during the course of the
study with care taken to ensure that the research procedure was not harmful Rough Draft
Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical Considerations.ConclusionThe study applied a
qualitative approach that relied on focus group discussion and interviews to collect primary
data from selected participants. The intention was to identify the value of using music-
based interventions to treat dementia. It concedes that although music therapy is
acknowledged as effective, no acceptable theoretical model has been presented to explain
the relationship. As such, the collected data was subjected to thematic analysis, which
concluded that music therapy is more effective in dementia management when supported
by personal music history, especially when the music and interpersonal connectedness is
sustained to maintain the quality of life.Alternative Therapies for Patients with Alzheimer’s
and DementiaAs a nurse currently working on a Neuro floor, the devastation to family and
loved ones trying to understand, as well as care for a their loved one that has been
diagnosed with Dementia or Alzhiemers is most often times heartbreaking. Nurses who are
caring for this patient population are at the forefront and witness the devastation this
disease brings to the family and their loved ones. Often times treatment and or care for
these patients results in using medications and, at times, restraints in order to keep the
patient safe from harming themselves or others. As a witness to so many tears cried, and
questions asked, there is a definite need in finding ways to bring comfort and a sense of
humanity back to this population of patients to have what every individual deserves, and
that is to be able to leave this world with compassion and integrity. Rough Draft Qualitative
Research Critique and Ethical Considerations.The efforts of the NIA, (National Institute of
Aging) is relentless as they continue to research the causes of this sad disease and hopes
that by 2025 Prevent and Effectively Treat Alzheimer’s Disease. The goals are to optimize
quality of care and efficiency, reach out to more support to the families effected by
Alzheimer’s and Dementia, increase public awareness, as well as be able to track the

6. progress of the individuals who are suffering from this sad and crippling disease (Proposed
question for this research assignment:Can the use of alternative therapies, such as pets
therapy have a more positive outcome with patients that have been diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s and Dementia.Setting includes: hospital, long term care facilities, and in their
own home with family members.Age and demographics: Both male and female patients
ranging from ages 65 and older, even though signs and symptoms can present at an earlier
age. Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical Considerations.Outcome is that
the use of alternative methods such as pet therapy will show a positive impact on the
quality of life for patients and families that live with the disease of Alzheimer’s and
Dementia and leads to a better quality of life, even if only for brief moments of
time.Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys
memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It is
the most common cause of dementia in older adults. While dementia is more common as
people grow older, it is not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s disease is currently ranked
as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, but recent estimates indicate that
the disorder may rank third, just behind heart disease and cancer, as a cause of death for
older people (nia.nih.gov). Unfortunately, this disease can not be pre-diagnosed and once
symptoms begin to show there seems to be little that can be done to minimize the impact it
has on not only the patient but their families. About Paws for People. (n.d.). Retrieved
from http://hai.tufts.edu/paws/about-paws-for-people/Abstract: Tufts Institute for
Human-Animal Interaction is located at Tufts University in Medford Massachusetts. The
program Paws for People was first developed in 1998 by Dr. Gary Patronek of Tufts Center
for Animals and Public Policy and started with only 10 volunteers. Since then, with the
ongoing support from the Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy, Paw for People has
grown and consists of over 100 animal/handler teams, who visit a variety of programs
including elder care facilities, hospice centers, at-risk youth, adult and adolescent mental
health care, hospitals, public schools, libraries, and others. Continuing on with educational
and research aspects of the human-animal bond has developed a strong and thriving
program and has brought much interest from many to research more on the positive
outcomes a pet can have on elderly patients with Alzheimer’s as well as those with other
social and medical conditions. Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet. (n.d.). Retrieved
from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheetAbstract: The only
way that Alzheimer’s disease can be diagnosed is only after death, by linking clinical
measures with an examination of brain tissue in an autopsy which treating and caring for
this population of patients is even more complicated. Other ways the medical professionals
may be able to determine if a patient is suffering from this disease is to ask the person and a
family member or friends questions that pertains to their overall health, past medical
problems, ability to carry out daily activities, and changes in behavior and
personality. Issue tests that consist of recalling simple information, problem solving, and
language. The use of certain medical tests, such as lab work or urine samples as well as
performing brain scans such as CTs, MRIs or PET scans to rule out other possibilities for the
presenting symptoms. Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical
Considerations. How Caregivers Can Use Pet Therapy to Care for Their Loved One. (2013,

7. December 20). Retrieved from http://blog.alz.org/how-caregivers-can-use-pet-therapy-to-
care-for-their-loved-one/Abstract: Pet therapy began in the 1860s, but unfortunately
studies only began to be taken seriously was in 1980s. While the medical community is still
waiting for scientific data that shows pet therapy can have long-term or behavioral change
benefits, even famous nurse Florence Nightingale recognized that animals provided a level
of social support in the institutional care of the mentally ill over 150 years ago. In an effort
to prove the therapeutic benefits of pet therapy, the National Institutes of Health has funded
grants to study scientific evidence-based research in therapeutic effects of not only children
but of the elderly that suffer from Alzheimer’s and
Dementia. https://www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers/article/alzheimers-disease-magic-pets
ntia.Abstract: There was a study conducted in 2002 on an Alzheimer’s special care unit,
where researchers set out to determine the effects of a resident dog and a visiting dog and
how they impacted the behavior of the patients. Resident’s behavior during the day and
during the evening were evaluated during the week before the dog was placed on the unit,
and then for four weeks following the dog’s arrival. Even though there was little or no
significant behavior changes that happened on the evening shift, there was a significant
change in the behavior of those patients during the day shift. Rough Draft Qualitative
Research Critique and Ethical Considerations. Authors, N. (n.d.). Nonpharmacologic
Interventions for Agitation and Aggression in Dementia – PubMed – NCBI. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27099894Abstract: Even though there have been
several different trials done to determine effective nonpharmacologic interventions for
agitation/aggression in dementia, which is an important topic, it has been found through
evidence base is weak because of the different types of comparisons, measurement issues,
and other methodological limitations. When there was sufficient evidence to draw
conclusions about the effectiveness of interventions in a group, agitation/aggression
outcomes were most often similar to those of control groups. Further research is needed to
assist providers and caregivers in finding effective interventions for agitation/aggression in
dementia.Churchill M , et al. (n.d.). – PubMed – NCBI. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10218187Abstract: The use of a therapy doge can
improve socialization skills in persons with Alzheimer’s. Exposure to therapy dogs and cats
can decrease the amount of agitation in persons that are institutionalized and suffer from
Alzheimer’s disease, even during the period of agitation known as sundown syndrome. Use
of therapy animals can be used along with other calming interventions Rough Draft
Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical Considerations. Rough Draft Qualitative Research
Critique and Ethical Considerations instructions Use the practice problem and a
quantitative, peer-reviewed research article you identified in the Topic 1 assignment to
complete this assignment.In a 1000-1,250 word essay, summarize the study, explain the
ways in which the findings might be used in nursing practice, and address ethical
considerations associated with the conduct of the study.Refer to the resource ”Research
Critique Guidelines” for suggested headings and content for your paper.Prepare this
assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student
Success Center. An abstract is not required.This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the
rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for

8. successful completion.You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin Rough Draft
Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical Considerations