Introduction
Background
This paper seeks to critique qualitative research concerning the perspective of women and health professionals towards the disclosure of symptoms of patients suffering from postnatal depression. This research article, which is referred to as the Disclosure of Symptoms of Postnatal Depression, the Perspectives of Health Professionals and Women: A Qualitative Study, was written by Carolyn Chew-Graham, Deborah Sharp, Elizabeth Chamberlain, Liz Folkes, and Katrina Turner. It was, then, published in a journal referred to as BMC Family Practice that was published in January 2009.
Analyzing Research Problem
The research problem, which has not been discussed under an isolated topic, is based on the reluctance of women suffering to disclose information concerning the symptoms of postnatal depression. The writers draw support from previous research studies suggesting that women portray reluctance while disclosing information that concerns their postnatal health status. The writers, therefore, acknowledge that the previous research creates a gap in this area of study since it does not proceed into identifying the solutions for this problem. This condition develops the need to conduct research aiming at identifying possible solutions to this critical problem that affects women in large numbers. They, further, support their research problem arguing that the general public should divert its attention from inquiring on why the health professional does not diagnose postnatal depression. Instead, they should investigate the environment that encourages women to disclose their health status concerning postnatal depression. This argument creates the need to research the ways of resonating with women in order to obtain helpful information that can be used during treatment. In perspective, therefore, the researchers have built a satisfactory rationale to conduct this research by articulating the current problem and creating the need for research.
Research Question Analysis
The research question, which aims at determining the views of health practitioners, women, and health visitors towards this disclosure, seeks to offer a methodological foundation for the entire research. However, the researchers have not indicated this research question clearly, but they have articulated the sentiment implying that the research question can only be obtained through implication. Failure to state and explain the research question distorts the principles of this research paper since it does not have a defined basis for the collection of data, analysis, and interpretation. Subsequent research on this topic should, therefore, correct this mistake by stating the research question in a clearer manner than this research.
Hypothesis Analysis
In light of hypothesizing the research question, the researchers suggest that health practitioners have the ability to create a conducive environment for the disclosure of information. However, they make the mere suggestion that is set on the balance of probabilities suggesting that the researchers should investigate that possibility. In perspective, this is a weak hypothesis that does not provide a clear position of the researcher regarding the research question. A research hypothesis should be stated clearly showing the preliminary expectation of the researcher towards the study in order to the lender it true or false.
Article Conclusions
Regarding the conclusions, the researchers conclude that the surest way of obtaining information from women suffering from postnatal depression can be achieved by understanding the environment that women give information. They conclude that women can disclose their status if the health professionals create a context of personal contact, confidentiality, and trust. The conclusion was realized through a robust research process involving interviews, data recording, analysis, and interpretation. This process is a credible way of making the conclusion although the components have not been discussed in a systematic manner that articulates each of them at a time.
Evaluation of Research Methods
Literature Analysis
The authors have provided sufficient literature reviewing the previous research that has been conducted in this field by other scholars. They have integrated the literature review and composed it in a manner that defines the research gap that has not been covered by the previous research. This enabled the authors to justify their research claiming to close that gap. In fact, the authors have presented an excellent literature review since they have not only analyzed the literature but also used it to create the foundation for their research.
Relevance of the Study
While focusing on the relevance of this study, the research is extremely significant to the current health issues alongside the past and future health issues. It presents issues of postnatal depression that has been experienced in the past and anticipated to be experienced in the future until the end of humanity. This is implied by the assurance of continuous childbirths and the consequent possibility of the mothers suffering from postnatal depression. Based on that argument, the research study is infinitely relevant calling for even more research studies.
Research Design
Regarding the research design, the researchers have adopted an experimental design since the study has a key ingredient and a clear target. It seeks to interview a sample population in order to determine the real position for the disclosure of information concerning postnatal depression. This implies that the research is purely experimental in terms of its methodological organization.
Analyzing Sample
The sample size of the research was not only enough but also satisfactory in terms of selected professionals including the health visitors, general practitioners, and the patients. This implies that the sample considered a variety of people who are relevant to the study leading to variation of opinions. The selection of the sample population was done by a random purposive method that aims at collecting the sample without biases. The collection purports that the sample should not be collected in order to attain some desired results suiting the opinions of the researchers. It, also, argues that the sample population should be collected in a manner that achieves a certainly desired purpose leading to directional results and conclusion at the end of the research. This method, therefore, ensures that the process is reliable, valid, and credible for the professionals who would need to use this information in the future. In perspective, the entire study is extremely practical since it integrates the realistic collection of data, sampling methods and embraces reliability. For example, the analysis is done parallel to data collection in order to allow for manipulation of the questionnaires incorporating the arising issues that emerge during data collection this implies that the researchers have adopted a liberal mind. The liberal approach, which embraces the willingness to compromise, shows that the researchers can change their methodology in order to suit the real condition that is found in the field. This liberal-minded approach portrays the practicality of the study towards attaining the right data for analysis.
Research Improvement
Although the study is satisfactory, it has a lot of space for improvement including an organized format and involvement of more parties in the sample. In this case, the research has involves those general practitioners, patients, and health visitors. However, the research shows that close relatives and friends play a crucial role in affecting the postnatal patients. This implies that the research should identify the people who are found in the intimate circles of these patients in order to develop a holistic study. Although this improvement is necessary, this research has been presented in an understandable manner for the relevant health professionals. However, the presentation should be improved by discussing each of the study’s components under separate titles in order to ensure that all the aspects are straightforward.
Further Research
Further research is needed in this field in order to find out whether there are other relevant parties that can be involved to encourage the disclosure of information by postnatal patients. The research will help the health professionals to identify a broad field of players who can assist in solving this problem of reluctant disclosure. Moreover, it should continue and interrogate the identified parties in order to identify the relevant assistance that they can offer to the health professionals concerning the entire study. As a result, many parties will enable them to solve the entire problem in an easier way than they can achieve in the current situation.
Conclusion
In summary, the rationale of this research is extremely relevant to all parties that are concerned with childbirth due to the anticipated continuity of childbirth. The research has been conducted in a credible manner implying that the relevant parties can rely on these results for reference. It has substantially incorporated the aspects of the research study that ensure the applicability of the findings. On the contrary, it lacks a well-organized framework for the presentation of the study calling for improvement. In addition, the relevance of the matter that is considered in this research calls for subsequent research studies exhibiting robust methodologies.