Schizophrenia Research Methods Analysis

This assignment focuses on the analysis of various research methods used in schizophrenia studies. Utilize provided journal articles, books, and online resources to evaluate qualitative interviews (Anyan, 2013), quantitative studies (Fontanella et al., 2014; Vancampfort et al., 2013), cognitive neuropsychology (Frith, 2014), and other methodologies. Explore different research methods' strengths, weaknesses, data collection techniques, and their application in schizophrenia research.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF A
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Table of Contents
Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................2
INRODUCTION........................................................................................................................3
Qualitative Methodology............................................................................................................3
Identification and rationale of paradigm................................................................................3
Description of the research purpose.......................................................................................4
Criticizing literature review....................................................................................................5
Description of target population, sample...................................................................................5
Description of target population.............................................................................................5
Description and Critical of ethical consideration...................................................................6
Data Analysis and Quality methods...........................................................................................6
Description and Critique of data collection and data quality methods...................................6
Enhancement of rigour...............................................................................................................7
Description of findings...............................................................................................................8
Description and critique of the research findings and limitations..........................................8
Discussion..................................................................................................................................8
Implication for nursing practice.................................................................................................9
Description and critique of implications for nursing practice................................................9
Summary of the research paper..............................................................................................9
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Critically analyzing the article helps in finding the loopholes that have not been
considered by the researcher which could have directly affected the results of the research.
The article named “Transition to independent accommodation for adults with schizophrenia”
written by the author Hill A., Mayes R and Mc Connell D have been critically analyzed in the
report (Hill, Mayes and McConnell, 2010). The main objective of the research is to
investigate the process of transition to independent accommodation for people with
schizophrenia. The critical paper focus on what have been missed by the author and whether
all the facts have been considered by him or not. It is a long term mental health condition
which is a type of psychosis where it becomes difficult for the person to differentiate between
reality and ideas of thought. The researcher in the study is focusing upon transition that is
experienced by these patients when they are shifted to independent homes. It is a type of
residence where nursing support is given to the patients on one hand and however on the
other hand they are also taught to live independently. The method of research, data collection
and the results have been measured in the report to assess that what all factors could have
resulted in better, reliable and authenticated conclusion. Further, ethical consideration and
limitation of the research conducted by the researcher will also be critically analyzed in the
report. Evidence for the critically analyzing the paper will be found out by assessing the
limitations of techniques being used in conducting that research. The research will also
analyze that whether the study could be adopted and practiced by nursing practitioners or not.

Qualitative Methodology
Identification and rationale of paradigm
The research article revolves around schizophrenia patients residing in independent
homes. The main aim of the research is to understand the transition process among these
patients. The author has successfully been able to present in the article in a well-defined
manner considering all the important aspects of Schizophrenia patients (Frith, 2014).
However, there are certain drawbacks that are attached to it. He has used grounded research
approach to conduct his study. Grounded theory refers to construction of the qualitative based
data collection method which consists of rigorous procedure to analyze the data as well. The
main issue related to this research approach is that generalization is limited and the results
received can only be applied to the sample being taken by the researcher. Assessing the
exploratory research conducted by the author, it has helped the author increase the
understanding on the particular chosen subject of Schizophrenia patients. However, the main
disadvantage of the research method faced by the author through this study is that, he has not
been able to provide conclusive results as the method lacks in strength of statistics (Different
research methods, 2014). The findings of the research are not specific leading to generalized
conclusion without statistical data and numerical figures.
Description of the research purpose
Research purpose is an important aspect of any study as it helps in evaluating the
reason behind which the research has been conducted by the researcher. The study conducted
by the author of this paper is to investigate regarding the process of transition to independent
accommodation for the people sufferings from Schizophrenia. The mental state of the
patients has been judged based on the three identified processes which are, developing a
sense of control, to build a relationship between illness and place and attainment of sense of
belonging to the place (Sekar and et.al, 2016). Judging the three main factors has helped in

assessing the transition process in better manner. Critically evaluating this process, there are
various other processes that can affect the transition process in the patients suffering from
Schizophrenia such as their living conditions, state of mind etc. which can also play an
important role and deviate the results to something else other than what is found by the author
in the article. Hence, other factors must also been considered by the researcher in order to get
authentic and accurate results (Gard and et.al.2014). Further, the information is also lacking
regarding these processes that are being used in the study.
Criticizing literature review
In the literature review, the researcher have focused on Schizophrenia patients and
impact on them during the transition process. However, the main issue in it is that adequate
information regarding transition process has not been included in the article. Further,
focusing on three factors considered by the writer has also not been explained stating the
reason of his choice. It shows that the data that have been collected and its basis is not
reliable enough to apply the results on other schizophrenic patients as well who are going to
get involved in transition process.
Description of target population, sample
Description of target population
Target population is another important factor that is to be considered by the
researcher. Ample of time is given to assess that who will be the target population which will
help in concluding the research in effective way. In the present study, the author has
considered seven Schizophrenia patients who are currently living in independent homes.
Since, the main objective of the study is investigating the process of transition in independent
accommodation for the people with Schizophrenia (Smith, 2015). The study participants are
also suffering from this disease and are already living in an independent setting. They have

been able to give desired answer to the questions asked by the author. However, since
schizophrenia patients suffer from mental disorder which affects the person’s thinking,
feeling and behaving activities; it will be difficult to get accurate results from the first process
of data collection. Further, the researcher would have also considered the data from the
interview results of family, friends and relative to get more authenticated results (Fontanella
and et.al, 2014). Hence, the basis on which the choices of schizophrenic patients have been
made is not appropriate and effective enough. Better choice of data could have led to better
results for the author.
Description and Critical of ethical consideration
The author has not been able to consider all the important aspect of ethics that were
required to be kept while performing the aforesaid research. It helps in determining the
acceptable and unacceptable behavior. The consideration that have not been made includes,
Privacy of the individual from whom data has been collected by the researcher and hence
there was a breach in this code as interview from the people was conducted as a part of data
collection which revealed their names and other important private information which
resulted in breach of ethical considerations. The three main principles of ethics are,
Beneficence, respect for human dignity and Justice. The research has led to break of all three
principles of ethics.
Data Analysis and Quality methods
Description and Critique of data collection and data quality methods
Another important method of conducting an effective research is to consider
appropriate method of data collection. In the present study, the researcher has used multiple
semi-structured and responsive emails and interviews which consist of both open ended and

closed ended questions. Comparative analyses of responses of email and interviews have
been conducted to reach to the desired results (Sullivan-Bolyai, Bova and Singh, 2014).
It is necessary that the data collected by the researcher is accurate and efficient
enough. Critically analyzing the method used by the researcher in the present study, the
means of data collection used by the researcher is not accurate enough as the interviewee may
react accordingly in different circumstances (Silverman, 2016). The process used is time
consuming further creating problems in data analysis process as standard responses are not
received by the researcher. It also has greater impact on the privacy of the interviewee as the
identification of the individual is revealed to the scholar. Conducting interview in
Schizophrenia patient may affect them to a great extend restricting them to reveal the actual
results to the researcher. It could have deviated the results leading to diverge in the
conclusion from its path (Anyan, 2013).
Further, the research has been conducted only on 7 Schizophrenic patients who show
that the sample chosen by the scholar is quite less. He could have chosen a large sample to
reach to authenticated and reliable results which could have been generalized on all
schizophrenic patients. Hence, the sample size chosen by the researcher is not adequate
enough in order to reach to reliable results (Smith, 2015). The amount of data was not
sufficient enough and a large sample could have given authenticated results.
Based on trustworthiness, the research paper can be trusted as the process of the
research does not seem to be authentic and credible. The results of the study is depended on
the findings from the 7 seven interviewees and hence any changes in their views can directly
affect the conclusion of the study. There is no information given regarding any training given
to the interviewers of collect data. It shows that due to lack of training to the interviewers,
correct and reliable data have not been collected by them.

Enhancement of rigor
The description of the method used by the researcher is not adequate and appropriate.
An effective research could have been conducted through proper consideration of importance
of sample size. The method used is not credible and sufficient enough to draw out the
effective conclusion. The researcher has only discussed the findings and no point have been
made regarding the procedure of interview being followed.
Description of findings
Description and critique of the research findings and limitations
A research finding helps in ascertaining the overall conclusion of the aforesaid results.
Based on the current study, the researcher has been able to find that there are three processes
that affect the process of transition to independent accommodation for people with
schizophrenia. These three processes are development of sense of control, building a
relationship between illness and place and the last process is accomplishing a sense of
belonging. Since, the transition in the patient have significant impact to their lives these
factors affect them to the core. The research findings are not adequately related to the
research objective being framed by the author. Critically analyzing the findings, the
researcher has been able to reach to this conclusion through the interview that was conducted
among Schizophrenic patients. The responses may vary and its intensity may also be different
in varied patients. Hence, it is difficult to reach to these processes without ranking them on a
scale based on the effect on them being noticed in the independent care homes. Hence the
result by the scholar is quite vague and cannot be generalized to all.
Data analysis strategy is not at all aligned to the data collection method being used by
the researcher. Better framing of questions could have led to better results. Further, reaching

to a conclusion without concentrating on the analysis part makes the whole research
pointless.
Discussion
The main limitation of the research is the sample size that has been used by the
researcher. One cannot generalize the results being received on the basis of 7 people. Further,
another limitation of the research is interview method that have used by the scholar as its data
cannot be presented statistically leading to obstruction in comparison.
Implication for nursing practice
Description and critique of implications for nursing practice
A direct impact of this study lies on the practice of nursing since; the objective of the
study is related to the process of transition to independent accommodation for people with
schizophrenia. The three main processes affecting the transition have been identified by the
researcher, which are, development of sense of control, building a relationship between
illness and place and the last process is accomplishing a sense of belonging. However, as the
study is not reliable and authenticated it will be difficult for the nurses to apply its results and
learning on their patients. A clear vision of the nurses in independent homes and training
them in such a manner that can help in focusing on this transition affecting the process can
help in solving the related issues (Vancampfort and et.al. 2013). Attendance of these three
mentioned processes can help the nurses to assist people with schizophrenia in independent
homes leading to a safe transition in these homes. It can further help in leading a happy and
well settled life in that community.
The major drawback of this state is that it can lead to create problems for those
patients who do not require this type of care in the care homes. There may be a difference in

the intensity of the problem as well. Further, the study has been conducting on only 7 patients
which in turn are questioning its validity. Hence, the results of the study cannot be
generalized and cannot be applied on all patients living in independent home. Hence, its
application in the nursing practice while handling schizophrenic patient is quite restricted.
Summary of the research paper
In the end, summarizing the research paper on Transition to independent
accommodation for adults with schizophrenia requires special attention while staying in
independent homes. The main objective of the researcher through this research is to assess
the process of transition to independent accommodation for people with schizophrenia. The
impact factor have been analyzed by the researcher which can be adopted by health care
professionals and nurses so that better services can be provided to these types of patients.
However, the results may not be applied on every schizophrenic patient. The researcher has
also pondered on different processes that can be adopted by them. The exploratory research
has been conducted by the researcher to reach to the conclusion where interview method of
data collection has been used. A sample of 7 schizophrenia patients have been considered by
the researcher from whom both open ended and closed ended questions have been asked. It
has led to heterogeneity n the data which do not give reliable results. Hence, it can be
concluded that the researcher could have conducted the study in better way further giving
authenticated results which could have been applied to other nursing practices as well.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Anyan, F. (2013). The influence of power shifts in data collection and analysis stages: A
focus on qualitative research interview. The Qualitative Report, 18(18), 1.
Fontanella, C. A., Guada, J., Phillips, G., Ranbom, L., & Fortney, J. C. (2014). Individual and
contextual-level factors associated with continuity of care for adults with
schizophrenia. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health
Services Research, 41(5), 572-587.
Frith, C. D. (2014). The cognitive neuropsychology of schizophrenia. Psychology Press.
Gard, D. E., Sanchez, A. H., Cooper, K., Fisher, M., Garrett, C., & et.al. (2014). Do people
with schizophrenia have difficulty anticipating pleasure, engaging in effortful
behavior, or both. J Abnorm Psychol, 123(4), 771-782.
Hill, A., Mayes, R., & McConnell, D. (2010). Transition to independent accommodation for
adults with schizophrenia. Psychiatric rehabilitation journal, 33(3), 228.
Sekar, A., Bialas, A. R., de Rivera, H., Davis, A., Hammond, T. R.and et.al. (2016).
Schizophrenia risk from complex variation of complement component
4. Nature, 530(7589), 177.
Silverman, D. (Ed.). (2016). Qualitative research. Sage.
Smith, J. A. (Ed.). (2015). Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods.
Sage.

Sullivan-Bolyai, S., Bova, C., & Singh, M. D. (2014). Data-collection methods. Nursing
Research in Canada-E-Book: Methods, Critical Appraisal, and Utilization, 287.
Vancampfort, D., De Hert, M., De Herdt, A., Bosch, K. V., Soundy, A., & et.al. (2013).
Associations between physical activity and the built environment in patients with
schizophrenia: a multi-centre study. General hospital psychiatry, 35(6), 653-658.
Online
Different research methods. (2014). [Online]. Available through <
https://explorable.com/different-research-methods>. [Accessed on 17th October
2017].
Exploratory research. (2017). [Online]. Available through <
http://www.mbaskool.com/business-concepts/marketing-and-strategy-terms/1868-
exploratory-research.html>. [Accessed on 18th October 2017].