Methodology
The research design was an emergent, content analysis based on a purposive sampling and a mixed methodology design. The researchers also used quantitative data analysis in the study. The researcher decided to use content analysis because it was appropriate for “story analysis, which aided in identifying elements of nurse practices that were difficult to identify in more empirically focused research” (Winship, 2010). The study involved reviewing stories written by nurses, which captured critical and memorable experiences of nursing.
Inclusion of sample size
The researcher selected 75 stories written and published by nurses in 2009. The author of the book obtained all stories from nurses through e-mail requests. All stories were based on inspirational stories as captured by nurses during their practices. The stories contained several issues about nursing roles across many disciplines.
Type
The study involved content analysis of inspirational stories published by nurses.
Sampling method
The researchers used purposive sampling method to select suitable stories from nurses for the study. This ensured that the study only included inspirational stories that captured experiences of nurses across several areas.
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
There were no specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. They did not use specific demographic information of the authors to select their preferred stories for analysis, but from the stories selected for analysis, there was a wide range of “age, gender, experience, clinical setting, and culture” (Winship, 2010).
Only two authors identified themselves as male, but the rest did not indicate their sex.
There were stories from new nurse graduates to nurses in later years of their careers.
The researcher included nurses from surgical departments, intensive care units, community nurses, school, and mental institutions.
Setting
Stories used in the study originated from a wide range of settings and cultures. There were nurses from medical surgical units, community nurses, intensive care nurses, school, and nurses from mental health setting.
Data collection method or research instruments
The researchers identified their source of stories from a recently published book with inspirational stories about nursing and written by nurses.
Data collection process
Based on the nature of the study, the researchers developed criteria for collecting information from stories for analysis. The procedure evolved as the study took place.
The initial stage involved identification of nursing stories with elements of emotional intelligence.
In the second phase, the researchers focused on identification of nursing concepts related to professionalism, performance, and nursing intuition.
The researchers then moved to the third phase of the process in which they explored any correlations between emotional intelligence elements and the three nursing concepts identified in the second phase.
The researchers then developed scoring criteria for emotional intelligence attributes, performance, and professionalism. Every member of the research team independently scored on each study question. They based the fourth criterion (nursing intuition) on subjective opinion of each researcher.
The researchers conducted a pilot scoring and noted there was a high interrater reliability. In the second process, they compared individual scoring and then conduct a group evaluation of stories and scores. The researchers agreed to use this method to evaluate stories and collect data.
The second stage, the researchers developed scoring procedures based on the final scores of the group from group sharing, discussion, and a review of individual scores. Out of four researchers, three had to agree on the scoring procedure for criteria 1 and 4 while criteria 2 and 3 relied on average scores. The following were the criteria used:
- Criterion 1. Presence of emotional intelligence attributes
- Criterion 2. Professionalism
- Criterion 3. Performance
- Criterion 4. Evidence of ‘nursing intuition’
Study questioned corresponded to the criterion number.
Method for Protection of Human Subjects (Consent)
All authors provided written consent for their stories to be used in the study. There were no names or any personal identifying information included on the data analyzed.
Reference
Winship, G. (2010). Is emotional intelligence an important concept for nursing practice? Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 17, 940–948.