Detailed Analysis of a Healthcare Research Study on Miscarriage

This assignment presents a detailed analysis of a qualitative research study focused on understanding the experiences of miscarriage in the emergency department. The analysis evaluates various aspects of the study, including its research question, literature review, methodology, participant selection, data collection methods, data analysis techniques, and ethical considerations. The study employed an interpretive methodology and semi-structured interviews to gather data from participants. The analysis critically assesses the study's strengths, such as its clear purpose, ethical considerations, and data saturation, while also noting areas where the setting description could be improved. The analysis highlights the importance of ethical considerations, including informed consent and participant anonymity, and emphasizes the rigor of the study in terms of data collection and analysis. The study's findings are evaluated in relation to its methodology and the overall trustworthiness of the research.

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Student Name:
Student ID:
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Where there is a Yes/no option, choose the appropriate response
Study Purpose/Question
1. Did the study have a clear purpose/research question?
Yes/no- YES
Explain – The study for “understanding the experiences of miscarriage in the emergency
department” has a clear purpose. The main purpose of the study is to make attempt for addressing
the gap in the literature by exploring the experiences of women who have come to the emergency
department to get care for their miscarriage.
Background/Literature Review
1. Does it present relevant literature in relation to the problem/issue to be studied?
Yes/no – Yes
Explain – The study present appropriate and sufficient literature in relation to the problem
identified in the study. Secondary data has been used for carrying out the literature review and it
has helped for analysing the view points that are mentioned by different authors. With this, analysis
of views expressed by different scholars has also been done and it has helped for completing the
study in effective and successful manner. For example explanation about diverse disadvantages
associated with miscarriage have been mentioned in the study. Other than this, description about
treatments that are available for patients with miscarriage are defined. Information provided by
various authors have been evaluated so that deeper and meaningful insight about the study can be
gained. Carrying out the literature review helps for performing the study in successful and effective
manner (Karlsson 2016, p. 217).
2. Does it use a critical approach in reviewing relevant literature (ie: does it demonstrate comparing
and contrasting of information)?
Yes/no- Yes
Explain- Researchers have made approach to some extent for critically analysing and reviewing the
relevant literature so that positive and negative aspects associated with the study can be identified.
critically analysing the viewpoints of different authors has helped for understanding the topic in
impelling manner and analysing relevant concepts from the study (Mertens 2014, p.108).
3. Does it identify any gaps in the literature?
Yes/no- Yes
Explain- In the present study for “Understanding the experiences of miscarriage in the emergency
department” scholars have identified some gaps and it has helped for performing the study in successful
Tool for critiquing qualitative research is modified based on the Critical Review Form-
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manner. Although some gaps have been identified in the study and it has been observed that emergency
care literature provides clinical knowledge about physical diagnosis and treatment for women who
experience miscarriage (Bryman and Bell 2015, p.157). However it has been identified through
literature review section that there is vary little information that is being available about experiences of
women and when they seek and receive care for this event. Identifying the gap supports for conducting
the study for gaining more meaningful information about the topic (Jensen, 2013).
4. Does it provide a sound justification for doing the study?
Yes/no- yes
Explain – Appropriate justification for performing the study have been described and it has been
mentioned that there is little information and knowledge that has been available for experiences of
women regarding miscarriage (Winter, 2014). With this, present study has been performed with
objective to address the gap in the literature through exploring the experiences of women who have
come to the emergency department. Rationale for conducting the study has been given by the scholar
and it has helped for gaining required outcomes from the study in successful manner (Eisner 2017,
p.453).
Ethics
1. Is there a statement regarding ethics approval? .453
Yes/no- Yes
Explain – Statement regarding ethical approval has been present and it has supported for explaining
that the study has been conducted by following ethical considerations. In the research method
section it has been described that after receiving ethical approval from the health authorities,
interviews have been conducted for women (Olsson and et.al. 2014, p.698).
2. Is there a statement regarding informed consent?
Yes/no- Yes
Explain – A statement regarding informed consent has been mentioned in the section where
selection of participants and recruitments have been mentioned (Diav-Citrin and et.al. 2014,
p.785).
3. What are the other relevant ethical issues addressed?
Explain – Participants have been described about the study and in the consent process they are also
informed about that their interview will be recorded and comments will be used for publication.
Assurance has been given to the respondents that their identity will be kept anonymous (Jirojwong,
and et.al. 2016, p.997).
4. List any other relevant ethical issues you think as important
Explain – It is required that respondents should be informed about the rationale behind conducting
the study. They should also be ensure that the information provided by them will be kept
Tool for critiquing qualitative research is modified based on the Critical Review Form-
Qualitative Studies ©Law, M., Stewart, D., Pollock, N., Letts, L. Bosch, J., & Westmorland, M.

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confidential (Edwards, Birks and Yates 2016, p.106).
5. Explain why the above 4 ethical aspects are important
Explain – Above mentioned 4 aspects of the study are important as it supports in ensuring that
outcomes achieved through the results will be valid (Smith 2015, p.97).
Study Methodology
1. What was the chosen methodology for this study?
Explain- Interpretive methodology has been used as a technique for qualitative study.
2. Is this choice suitable for answering the research problem/question?
Yes/no- Yes
Explain- The choice for selecting Interpretive methodology has provided a suitable platform for
answering the research questions. It has aided for carrying out the interpretation of information and
data that have been collected in this study (Eisner 2017, p.87).
Participants
1. How were potential participants identified?
Explain – Participants have been approached prior to their discharge from the emergency
department by staff Rn and physician given a letter introducing the researcher and explaining the
study. Other than this advertisements have been published in the emergency departments so that
potential respondents can be approached (Jensen 2013, p.78).
2. Were the targeted participants appropriate?
Yes/no- Yes
Explain – Targeted participants that have been selected for carrying out the study have bee selected
through appropriate mediums. The main purpose of the study is to address the gap that have been
present in the literature for women experiencing miscarriage (Jirojwong and et.al. 2016, p.997).
3. Were the participants adequately described?
Yes/no – Yes
Explain- In the study scholars have taken appropriate approaches for describing the participants. A
separate section has been mentioned in the study where details are mentioned about the participants
that have been described in the study (Karlsson 2016, p.212).
Methods /Data Collection
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1. Outline the types of methods used to gather data (information) in this study:
Explain- data and information for the study has been collected through organising semi structured
and face to face interviews. Each interview lasted for 45-90 minutes. Open ended questions have
been asked in the interview and it has helped for taking the views of respondents towards carrying
out the interview successfully. Audio recording of interviews have been done so that information
should be present in an effective manner. Face to face interviews have been conducted so that non
verbal communications can be observed and interaction with the environment can be made (Diav-
Citrin and et.al. 2014, pp.785).
2. Do these methods match the chosen methodology?
Yes/no- Yes
Explain- Data collection method that have been chosen in the study matches with research
methodology. Interpretive approach has been used under the methodology section so that detailed
interpretation and analysis of data should be done so that required outcomes of the study can be
gained successfully. Similarly in the data collection method face to face interviews have been
conducted and response from each participants have been taken so that their views can be taken.
With this, open ended questions have been asked from the participants so that deep and meaningful
insight can be gained from the study. Along with this, it has also helped for taking deep meaning
from the study that has been performed (Olsson and et.al. 2014, pp.701).
3. Do the researchers adequately describe the setting in which the study took place?
Yes/no – No
Explain- Researcher has not taken approaches for mentioning about the places where the study
have been taking place.
4. Do the researchers identify any personal ideas, experiences or knowledge that might influence
the study?
Yes/no- Yes
Explain why this is important.- Researcher has tried to provide personal ideas, experiences and
knowledge that might be used by the company. A list of community support services have been
provided to the participants and it has helped for taking viewpoints of researcher in confidential
manner. Other than this innovative approaches have been used for taking field notes so that non
verbal observation of the participants could be recorded. Pseudonym also have been assigned to the
participants so that their anonymity during the conduction of the research study can be identified.
Data Analysis
1. How was the data analysed in this study?
Explain- researcher has made use of interpretive phenomenology so that analysis of data that has
been conducted through study can be made. With this, in this method a continuous cycle of
revisiting the data has been mentioned so that required objectives of the study could be achieved.
All the interviews that have been conducted by the participants has been compared and contrasted
and so that common meaning could be derived from them. With this, patterns have been identified
so that common themes could be interlinked with each other. Researcher team has been met with
Tool for critiquing qualitative research is modified based on the Critical Review Form-
Qualitative Studies ©Law, M., Stewart, D., Pollock, N., Letts, L. Bosch, J., & Westmorland, M.

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face to face so that discussions of themes can be made and on the basis of that interpretation of data
and information can be carried out (Jirojwong and et.al. 2016, p.993).
2. Is this the type of analysis one would expect for Qualitative Research?
Yes/no- Yes
Explain- Preparing themes and on the basis of that required outcomes from the study could be
carried out.
Rigour
1. Did the researchers continue recruiting people to the study until data saturation was reached?
Yes/no- Yes
Explain- The researcher continued recruiting people to the study until data saturation was reached.
It has helped for gaining valid and reliable outcomes of the study and on the basis of that objectives
of the study have been met.
2. Did the researchers collect data from more than one source? If so, what were they?
Yes/no- No
Explain- Data from the primary and secondary sources have been used and it has helped for
conducting the overall study. With this data has not been used from other resources (Eisner 2017,
p.412).
3. Did the researchers provide the participants with the opportunity to check the research findings?
Yes/no – Yes
Explain- Opportunity has been provided to the participants to take part in the research study and it
has aided for carrying out the study in successful manner.
4. Explain how the above 3 points contribute to the trustworthiness of the overall research findings.
Explain- All the above 3 mentioned points have contributed towards trustworthiness of the overall
findings of the research study. All the participants of the research have been provided with the
necessary resources so that they can contribute towards gaining required outcomes of the study.
Likewise researcher has continues collecting the data until saturation level reached and due to that
validity and reliability of the study has been ensured. However data has not been collected from
more than one sources and due to that it has become easier to implement the necessary practices in
the study successfully (Jensen, 2013).
Research Findings
1. What were the main findings of this study?
Explain - Findings of the study shows that regardless of whether the pregnancy was planned or unplanned,
Unwanted or wanted, all the participants have described that their miscarriage experiences as loss of
life or death of baby. Participants also described about emotional burden associated with the loss of child.
From the study it has been analysed that there is need for delivering the news in clear and plain language.
Tool for critiquing qualitative research is modified based on the Critical Review Form-
Qualitative Studies ©Law, M., Stewart, D., Pollock, N., Letts, L. Bosch, J., & Westmorland, M.

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2. Are the research findings presented in a way that is consistent with qualitative research?
Yes/no- Yes
Explain- Yes Research findings have been presented in a way that is consistent with qualitative
research. Further Findings that have been received from the study have helped for analysing that
experiences of miscarrying represents death of a baby must be properly acknowledged by
emergency care providers. Along with this this acknowledgement can be provided with support and
proper understanding so that news can be delivered emphatically in plain and clear language. It
has been observed from the outcomes of the study that it is important that medical management
should be there so that better treatment could be provided to women.
Limitations
1. What were the limitations of this study? (limitations identified by the authors and students are both
acceptable)
Explain- There are some limitation that have been found by authors who are involved for
conducting the study. The majority of the study has been carried out in the gap year of 1 to 2 years
and between their ED and visits the study. Women who have been given the letters to invitation for
the study in the emergency department for their miscarriage might have been too overwhelmed
emotionally with their grief to participate in the research study. It left majority of the participants
with the recruitments to be done by making use of other methods. One another limitation is
participants homogeneity (Edwards, Birks and Yates 2016, p.106).
2. Explain why they are limitations of the study?
Homogeneity of participants is considered as the sample had minimal variation with respect to
cultural and socio-economic diversity. In this study majority of the participants are having post
secondary education. However selecting sample size of 8 people may be deemed small by some
readers. This limitation has created some challenges for completing this study. Sample size of 8
people have answered the research question because the quality of the data was robust in the study.
Themes have been consistently emerged during the analysis of the information that has been used
in the study. Limitation of the study hampers the outcomes that are analysed from the study and it
also gives impact on the practices and procedures that are being used in the research study (Jensen,
2013).
Applicability to clinical practice
1. Briefly discuss the implications of these findings for Nursing/Midwifery practice and/or patient
care. Include a discussion about the transferability of the findings.
Implications of the findings can be used for Nursing and midwives so that patient care should be
provided by them. These findings will aid for making it ensure that midwives should provide better
protection to the child and it will aid for ensuring that effective care should be provided to pregnant
women so that cases of miscarriage can be reduced. With this, outcomes of the study will also
make it ensure that developments and improvements should be made in the nursing and midwives
practices so that emergency care providers should prepare the patients for a range of physical and
Tool for critiquing qualitative research is modified based on the Critical Review Form-
Qualitative Studies ©Law, M., Stewart, D., Pollock, N., Letts, L. Bosch, J., & Westmorland, M.

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emotional symptoms. Better follow up care can also be provided to patients so that they should
receive effective and better care.
2. Overall, should the outcomes of this study be used to inform clinical practice?
Yes/no – Yes
Explain – outcomes received from the study could be used for inform clinical practices. Nurses
and other care providers can render effectual services to people so that cases of miscarriages can be
reduced. While rendering care to women experiencing a miscarriage in the emergency department.
Nurses can complete all the tests and nurses can make use of finding received from the study to
understand the issues that are faced by pregnant women. Findings of the study can also be used by
policy makers for ensuring that effective care should be available for women that are suffering
from miscarriage. It will also aid for making improvements in the existing practices that are being
used for providing medical treatment to pregnant women.
Word count of the template = 486 words
Tool for critiquing qualitative research is modified based on the Critical Review Form-
Qualitative Studies ©Law, M., Stewart, D., Pollock, N., Letts, L. Bosch, J., & Westmorland, M.

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References
Bryman, A. and Bell, E., 2015. Business research methods. Oxford
University Press, USA. p.157.
Diav-Citrin, O. and et.al., 2014. Pregnancy outcome following in utero
exposure to lithium: a prospective, comparative, observational study. American Journal of
Psychiatry. 171(7). pp.785-794.
Edwards, S., Birks, M. and Yates, K., 2016. Miscarriage in Australia: The geographical
inequity of healthcare services. Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal. 19(2). pp.106-
111.
Eisner, E.W., 2017. The enlightened eye: Qualitative inquiry and the enhancement of
educational practice. Teachers College Press. p.453.
Jensen, K.B. ed., 2013. A handbook of media and communication research: Qualitative and
quantitative methodologies. Routledge. p.78.
Jirojwong, S. and et.al., 2016. Going up, going down: the experience, control and
management of gestational diabetes mellitus among Southeast Asian migrant women
living in urban Australia. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. p.997.
Karlsson, C. ed., 2016. Research Methods for Operations Management. Routledge. p. 217.
Mertens, D.M., 2014. Research and evaluation in education and psychology: Integrating
diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Sage publications. p.108.
Olsson, C.A., and et.al., 2014. Social and emotional adjustment following early pregnancy
in young Australian women: a comparison of those who terminate, miscarry, or complete
pregnancy. Journal of adolescent health, 54(6), pp.698-703.
Smith, J.A. ed., 2015. Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage.
p.97.
Winter, J., 2014. Empty arms: Coping with miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death:
Surviving the first hours and beyond [Book Review]. Grief Matters: The Australian Journal
of Grief and Bereavement. 17(2). p.63.
Tool for critiquing qualitative research is modified based on the Critical Review Form-
Qualitative Studies ©Law, M., Stewart, D., Pollock, N., Letts, L. Bosch, J., & Westmorland, M.