In-Depth Critique: Patient Perceptions of Falls in Hospital Research

This assignment provides a step-by-step nursing research critique of a study by Shuman et al. (2016) focusing on patient perceptions and experiences with falls during hospitalization and after discharge. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, the critique evaluates the study's abstract, introduction, literature review (background), methodology, findings, discussion, conclusion, limitations, and referencing style. The analysis identifies both strengths and weaknesses of the research in terms of believability and robustness, covering aspects such as writing style, author credentials, research problem, study design, and theoretical framework. The critique emphasizes the importance of analyzing medical research before its application in healthcare, and it aims to provide nurses with an evidently analyzed research study for reference. The review concludes with an overall analysis of the selected article, intended to aid new researchers in improving future studies on the same topic. This document is contributed by a student and is available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools for students.

Step By Step Nursing Research Critique 1
STEP BY STEP NURSING RESEARCH CRITIQUE
Student by (Name)
Professor’s (Name)
College
Course
Date

Step By Step Nursing Research Critique 2
STEP BY STEP NURSING RESEARCH CRITIQUE
Abstract
The content of this paper is a critical analysis and critique of evidence-based research
conducted by Shuman et al. on patients’ perceptions and experience with falls during
hospitalization as well as after discharge in the year 2016. Even though the article seems to be
well written and well discussed, however, it is crucial to apply critical analysis on any medical
and nursing research paper before its application in the healthcare provider system. This is
because evidence-based profession like nursing does not accept the findings of the research in
their face value instead requires the in-depth analysis and study of the study. This paper is
therefore aimed at ensuring that nurses have relevant and evidently analyzed research studies
which they can use as sources of reference. To successfully criticize and analyze the survey by
Shuman et al. (2016), this assignment will apply a step by step critiquing tool developed and
written by Ryan et al., (2007) as a referential source throughout the writing. The selected study is
regarded as an exploratory study which uses a qualitative technique as the primary approach to
the data analysis rather than quantitative as in quantitative studies.
Name of the Author: (Shuman et al. 2016)
Keywords of the research
Falls, Fall preventions, Discharge instruction, Old adults, Perceptions, and Risks

Step By Step Nursing Research Critique 3
Introduction
The content of this paper will apply the analysis of every chapter of the article by
Shuman et al. (2016) where the material will reveal both weaknesses and strengths of the
document as with regards to the healthcare provider. The paper analyzes robust chapters of the
paper through the model know as step by step analysis. The study will commence with the
abstract of the article as outlined by Shuman et al. (2016) in their qualitative research. The step
by step tool be further be applied to other remain chapters of the study such as the introduction of
the study, the literature review, methodology used within the study,the study findings result and
analysis, discussion of the study findings, conclusion and finally recommendation, study
limitations and referencing style used by Shuman et.al (2016) in their study. The selected
research by Shuman et al. (2016) is about critiquing the research report on the patients
perception and the experience with falls during thee hospitalization and also after the discharge.
This study was selected correctly based on its topic, and the method of education applied which
is qualitative research method (Kerlin et al. 2017). The topic of the chosen research on
“description of old adults and the perception of the general public concerning some issues related
to the hospitalization if the mature adult is crucial nursing as limited research has been conducted
on the same topic thus require further studies (Jones, Schilling & Pesut 2011). Therefore this
study critique analyses the whole content of the survey from the abstract to the reference so that
new researchers can improve next studies which will be conducted on the same topic. The review
ends with a conclusion which is based on the overall analysis of the selected article.
Believability and Robustness of the study by Shuman et al. 2016

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The study topic
The content of the article by Shuman et al. 2016 has been well-organized beginning with
a topic which was well related and analyzed by the authors of the study. The selected research
was done by some a scholar in the field of nursing (Bugdayci et al. 2011). These authors include
Clayton Shuman, Mary Montie, Jose Gabriel Valentino, Molly Todd, Marcia Hegstad and Maria
Titler. The topic selected by the author is crucial in nursing as it is one of the topic which has
been not given attention previous by scholars within the healthcare (Boyd & Stevens 2009). By
reading the whole study, it is evident that the author of the article has knowledge of what they
were studying and linked the topic entirely to the content of the entire research (Shuman et al.
2016). The author of the article achieved the aim of the study which was based describing
hospitalization of the adult patient for ages above 60 years as well as the detailing their
perception on their fall risks while within the hospital and outside the healthcare premises. The
authors further link entirely the result of the study to the recommendation and suggestions on
how fall among old patients can be prevented by nurses (Jones, DeVita & Bellomo 2011).
Abstract
The study by Shuman et al. begins with an abstract which perfectly introduces the
research by outlining the purpose of the research and its importance to nurses in various parts of
the world. Even though the abstract is good enough as per the face value, the authors of the made
the abstract to appear complex based on the arrangement of the abstract content (Zecevicet.al
2009). Moreover another limitation of the study abstract is the inability of the authors to show
the completion of the whole study as the study show many gaps (Shuman et al. 2016). The
abstract however, highlights the main study findings, the study significance as well as ends with

Step By Step Nursing Research Critique 5
an appropriate conclusion. The abstract of the study is right though it is complicated to
understand.
Writing style
The authors of the study Shuman et al. (2016) represents their school of thought through
a unique writing style. The content of the article flow firm the first statement to the last (Creswell
and Miller 2010). However, the content and the style of writing can only be understood by
literate people like the content of the paper is written in a language that is only understandable to
the learned but not to the layman (Shuman et al. 2016). The study has an ethical introduction
which shows readers what the content of the research is all about, but the study introduction is
full of references which makes it somehow difficult to understand (Miake et al. 2013).
Introduction
The study introduction can be rated as good compared to other study papers. This is
because the opening of the paper orientates reader and gives background to the study (Boyd &
Stevens 2009). However, the content of the study does not provide a clear study question on the
study topic that is the description of old adults and the perception of the general public
concerning some issues related to the hospitalization if the old adult (Liamputtong 2009). On the
other hand, the study introduction outlines the research problem which justifies rational and the
purpose of the research (Liaw et al. 2015).
Literature review/ background
Shuman et al. in their study referred to various studies such as Calhoun et al. 2011 within
the background as the study did not have highlighted literature review part but had a background
as chapter two of the study. A proper research study in nursing should have a deep analysis of
various studies which present the reader with an overview of the issue as well form the base of

Step By Step Nursing Research Critique 6
the study argument of the study (Baker, Gottschalk & Bianco 2007). The part of the literature
review should look at both similarities and differences between the current studies on the topic.
The study by Shuman et al. 2016 do not have any literature review but has a background which
took part in the literature review. Even though the background of the study is not extensive and
broad enough, it was focused enough on to the topic (Tinetti et al. 2008). The selected studies
were not that much directly to the topic nut most of the used articles within the background part
offered a historical support to the subject of the study through the few selected studies to be used
in the background placed the research by Shuman et.al at the study context as most of the
available articles were to the topic that is description of old adults and the perception of the
general public concerning a number of issues related to the hospitalization if the old adult
(Shuman et al. 2016). The background of the study through analysis of various articles such as
(Boyd & Stevens, 2009; Calhoun et al., 2011; Faes et al., 2010; Høst et al., 2011; Karlsson) was
crucial and well organized and the author was able to fairly present their opposing side to some
of the articles (Liaw et al. 2011). The background of the study offered a theoretical framework of
the study (Grove 2011). Nonetheless, study background based on its shortness did not reveal the
existing knowledge gaps about the study topic and how the current study by Shuman et al. 2016
could have filled the existing gap (Hill et al. 2011). This happened as a result of many previous
scholars majorly focused on the different topic. The authors of the article ought to have used
some previous studies within the background or have just included a clear and broad knowledge
on the adult perception and risk offal during hospitalization as well as prevention of adult patient
falls (Roe et al. 2009).
Methodology

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The research is a prospective exploratory study which requires a qualitative as the
approach of the data analysis (Cho & Lee, 2013). The study was conducted among the 450bed in
the community hospitals which is located in Michigan. The informants from the adults surgical
unit upon the approval of the institutional review Board which is from the University of
Michigan. The study guide was also obtained before the actual work started (Baker, Gottschalk
& Bianco, 2007).
Strengths of methodology
Since the qualitative technique is one of the approaches used in the research, the
researcher can get the detailed information of the study. The authors of the study applied
interview wisely obtaining the required information (Lee yet.al 2014). The used methodology
was not only able to offer face value information but to go in depth of the study. The technique
provided the subjective nature of the study
Limitations
The research lacks the quantitative approach for the statistical analysis; it lacks the
objective nature of the study.
Design
The qualitative was used to meet the desired aim of the study; the primary objective of
the study was to solicit all the perception of the patients regarding the fall, to semi-structured all
the interview guides with the questions (Boyd & Stevens, 2009). Probing questions were also
provided for them to deliver in the verbal form. Face to face method was used as a tool for the
patients that were in the hospitals. For the patients who have been discharged from the hospital, a
telephone call was the appropriate tool used (Calhoun et al. 2011).
Strengths

Step By Step Nursing Research Critique 8
Targeted group/informants for the interview was well chosen, and timing was also well
provided.
Limitations
Use of phone call was inappropriate since it could be affected by some issues including
network and power problem.
Sampling
The sampling for the research was done from the number of given guidelines, failure to
fulfill all of the ones was not approved for the interview (Baker, Gottschalk & Bianco 2007). The
following were some of the criterion used in the data sample. The informant was to be of age
60and above, must have been hospitalized for 48 hours of the study, must be at the risk of fall for
the last 24 hours, must be having a working phone number, must be medically stable and finally
must speak in English (Clyburn & Heydemann 2011). The number of informants interviewed
was eighteen in number.
Strengths
The rules and criterion used to identify the informants was appropriate, and this could
give the desired feedback
Limitations
The method of sampling had one limitation to the research which was speaking in English; from
experience, one might be suffering from the risk of fall and ready to offer the required answer yet
his not able to speak in English.
Data collection procedure
The list of the in formats was provided by a clinical nurse specialist and the nurse
manager. From the process it was reported that 45 of them on arrangements refused to be

Step By Step Nursing Research Critique 9
interviewed; this could be one of the limitations of the study (Rogers 2013). The in-hospital
interview was conducted after which the patients were requested to give out their phone numbers
for them to be contacted upon the discharge. They were to be approached within the three days
upon the discharge.
Strengths of the procedure
The procedure used for data collection was best, and the confidence in the informants
was boosted. Confidentiality is one of the key issues for the quality result and feedback from
informants.
Limitations
Some informants failed to show up for the study, and this made the researcher not to meet
the required target (Smith 2015). The use of phone call was also inappropriate because there
might be a failure in terms of power and also challenges associated with network failure at the
time of the study.
Data analysis
All the interview answers were transcribed verbatim, and then the review of the data was
accuracy analyzed. The analysis was done by use of Constant comparative methods of Glass and
Stress.
Strengths
The subjective part of the research and was analyzed in depth and findings identified in
the study (Boeije 2012). The study looked into the in-depth of research but not the face value
recognizing the study uniqueness.
Limitations

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10
The study lacked the numerical analysis (the objective) part of the research omitted by
the researcher.
The research was conducted under the law of privacy of the information. No information
was to be leaked to the third party upon the completion of the research.
Strengths
The confidence of the informants was maintained since each one of them was assigned to
one document of the questionnaire (Smith and Osborn 2014). The context of the ethical
considerations was obeyed. However, there were some challenges with the ethical observations.
Limitations
Use of phone call was inappropriate to maintain the ethical considerations.
The qualitative research revealed the nine themes which are crucial in the perception of
the risks associated with fall in the old adults (Ang, Mordiffi, & Wong, 2011). The eight themes
include the following: overall perception on the fall intervention, the overall impression of the
fall while the patients are hospitalized, the effective fall prevention, doing the fall prevention, the
effectiveness of the fall prevention strategies, the personal fall prevention strategies, the fall
related to discharge instructions (Kerlin et.al 2017).
Findings/ results
The research used a more qualitative approach which exposed the subjective part of the
outcome. For the evidence-based course like different nursing approaches should be applied to
learn both the individual and the objective part of the research (Shuman et al. 2016). The
findings part of a research study should be a summary of the data collected by the study scholar.
The research was good enough to obtain the required result and also faced with some challenges

Step By Step Nursing Research Critique
11
like some of the informants refused to be interviewed. This shows that the outcome or the
findings received from the previous research was not satisfactory (Zecevic et al. 216). The
overall perception of the patients on fall prevention intervention while in the hospital was that
they had confidence while in the hospitals, and the nurses were regarded as very helpful while
they are still hospitalized (Garces et al. 2012).A part of the confidentiality of the nurses, the
nurses should come up with some educative programs which can teach the patients on how to act
and react during the fall in the hospitals (Roe et al. 2009). These are among the eight themes that
were highlighted in the research: overall perception of fall prevention while the old adults are
hospitalized, overall impression of falling while the old adults are hospitalized, the telling fall
prevention strategies, the effectiveness to the fall prevention strategies, the fall-related discharge
instruction to the patients and finally the most effective fall-related discharge instructions in the
hospitals (Tinetti et.al 2008). The result part even though the study was qualitative lacked a clear
presentation of the data collected thus might have presented difficulties in the discussion part.
Discussion
Shuman et al. 2016 applied the implications of the study perfectly within the discussion
highlighting with candid reasons why the old adult patients were at risk of fall while hospitalized
and why they have and why they have developed the kind of perception they have regarding the
problem of study (Clyburn & Heydemann 2011). The authors of the survey unrepresented and
evaluated obtained results of the study hypothesis and the theoretical framework as well with the
study recommendations and conclusion.
Conclusion

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12
The final part conclusion was summarized from the main point of the study with new and
fresh perceptivity as well as suggestions for a future study well indicated and illustrated (Ang,
Mordiffi & Wong 2011).
Limitation
The authors identified the study limitations as well as recommendation on how to
improve future studies (Shuman et al. 2016). The end of the study was considerably okay and
direct as compare to some of nursing studies.
Referencing style
The study was well referenced in APA format with the Shuman et al. selecting most
recent referential material for the study (Shuman et al. 2016). All references listed within the
reference list were all in the text cited and arranged in alphabetical order with the list containing
both the classic and contemporary literature.
Conclusion
The use of qualitative study sometimes become challenging to critique, but for the
evidence-based profession like Nursing, the use of qualitative technique become more useful
because the research is not left in its face value but is discussed in depth step by step in the
literature review section. This exploratory study revealed the strengths and the limitations of the
research concerning the fall preventions and interventions while being hospitalized and at the
point of discharge as studied by Shuman et al. 2016. The continuous discussion and probing of
informants also led to the realization as described in the description accounts. From the research,
some limitations identified from the previous study. Communication and level of engagements
with the patients are some of the factors that influence the perception of the patients. The

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13
findings suggest that all the health workers and the providers need to engage freely with patients
to provide the clarity and also explain to family members on the impacts to the risk of fall among
the members;the clarity should also include the fall prevention and intervention among the
patients and how they can be implemented without any patient's misconception on the
problem.However, the approach used in the research is more of subjective than objective; the
quantitative technique also needed to be used in in the study to show the objective part of the
research.

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14
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