Introduction
Medical research findings have shown that the rate of survival for pediatric patients with cancer has risen over the years. Infertility is a major side effect that is closely associated with cancer treatment. This affects the life of the survivors to a great deal. This paper endeavors to give a critique of a quantitative research study. The research study tries to examine trends in fertility preservation attitudes displayed by pediatric oncology nurses as well as evaluating their degree of awareness on issues to do with fertility preservation. This research study uses the cross-sectional surveys which are applied in gathering information in a population at a single point in time. The study uses independent and dependent variables. The independent variable is attitude that the nurses have towards the fertility preservation while trends in clinical practice on the same serves as a dependent variable.
Strengths
One of the strengths of the research study is the systematic way in which the study is presented. This makes the study to be comprehensive since it becomes easy for one to link ideas. In displaying the steps that were involved in the process, the study exposes the samples, instruments used and the results obtained from the study (Clayton, Quinn, Ji-Hyun, King, Miree, Nieder & Vadaparampil, 2008). This shows that the study was conducted in a chronological manner hence it is easy to understand the content. The aspect of carrying out the study ion an orderly manner is further evidenced by the way the data is presented, the data is presented in a way that observes clarity, the tables are made in such a way that one can easily make inferences. Generally, the study covers all the relevant points in a sound manner and the research is presented in a reader friendly manner.
The study allows for verification. This can be exemplified by the careful use of sources in citations. This is one of the most important elements in any piece of work that may borrow ideas from another source. This shows that the researchers made reference to other sources and most importantly giving the reader a chance to prove the arguments that the author makes in trying to persuade that reader to see his or her point of view or informing the reader. Bryane (2002) notes that readers should be given a chance to prove the ideas that are presented by the author particularly if they have been borrowed from other sources. This is also seen when the authors refers to other research findings to present ideas.
The research methods are practical. The same research can be conducted elsewhere at any given time. The mode in which the study has been conducted is easy hence it enhances the understanding of the readers, this way one is able to make deductions from the findings. Practicability is an important element in any quantitative research work (Bryane, 2002). This is further enhanced by the fact that the findings do not make many assumptions, this increases the likelihood of having accurate results since a big portion of the information is derived from sources.
Weaknesses
The technical terms used in the research study are not explained. Words that are only applied in specific fields need to be explained so that the reader can understand the content well. The use of words without explanation forces the reader to make references to the dictionary hence wasting a lot of time. Some of the technical terms that have been used in the research study and should be explained include oncology, fertility preservations, gonadal and prognosis (Clayton et al., 2008). These terms are not common to other fields of study hence they should be explained. This aspect enhances the understanding of the reader and at the same time serves an important function of saving time.
The issue of carrying out research study for two successive years is not good. It would be ideal to conduct such a research after a time interval of about one year. This will give precise data since the time interval allows for any changes. It would also be appropriate to conduct more than one study so that the inferences can give a close estimate of the exact outcomes. The authors refer to research conducted between 2005 and 2006. The idea of carrying out research more than once ensures that the outcomes have been explored to come up with the final results.
The study would have presented more information if more data collection methods were applied in the research. This is important since it allows comparison of data from the many sources. Although this is time consuming, it allows for the attainment of desired results that observe accuracy. As Bryane (2002) notes, the use of many data collection methods is appropriate since it gives a chance to compare data before compiling final outcomes.
Importance of the research
The research problem under discussion is of great importance to the nursing profession since it acts to enlighten both nurses and trainee nurses on issues surrounding the problem. Although the study does not present points of views of the authors in an effort to see a point of view, it digs deep on the issue of fertility preservation trends in patients with cancer. The study endeavors to show the role of nurses in discussing the fertility preservation options with the patients. The study exposes barriers that come in the way hence interfering with nurse’s discussion with patients on the issue. The identification of this is the very initial step towards coming up with strategies that can help enhance the discussions.
The study establishes the attitude of nurses towards fertility preservation discussions with their patients. This serves as an important aspect in determining what nurses think about the issue in terms of establishing the most effective agents for the discussions; the attitude of the nurses towards the problem exposes their dedication towards making discussions with the patients. Their attitude acts as a basis for decision making in the profession since decisions are made on if the nurses are in a good position to discuss the issue with the patients or if third parties will be needed to carry out the discussions in place of the nurses.
The strengths of the study outweigh the weakness. This is due to the fact that the most important aspects of any research are observed. The main elements of carrying out a quantitative study namely practicability, the issue of presenting it in a chronological manner and the aspect of giving the reader a chance to verify information through citations far outweigh the weaknesses discussed above. This means that the findings of the study are agreeable. The outcomes expose evidence that rotates about the nursing since weaknesses discussed above can be easily overcome. As Bryane (2002) notes, issues like not having explained technical terms can be solved by referring to a dictionary while poor arrangement of data cannot be solved by the reader since the data may be presented in such a way that the readers cannot make inferences.
Critiquing the Study
The title of the study is appropriate since it gives a rough idea of what is to be expected in the study. Bryane (2002) states that the title of any written piece of work needs to have a good title in terms of giving the readers a clue of what to expect in the discussions, he further says that titles whose meaning is not straight forward are not likely to attract the attention of the readers as compared to those that have straight forward meaning. This is because readers read for different purposes. Those who read for academic purposes would not bother much about the title since their main aim is to gain knowledge. On the other hand, readers who read to gain general knowledge would be attracted by the title of the book they read to gain an insight and to be updated with information.
The introductory bit (abstract) summarizes the main ideas in the report. This serves an important role of exposing the main points in the study. This further acts as an attracting force as it attracts the attention of the readers especially those that are interested in the topic. A good introduction is important since it summarizes the main points; moreover, it introduces the topic under discussion. The purpose of the study and the importance are well brought out in the introduction. The authors clearly state the importance of the problem to the nursing profession is well brought out. The research question covers the issue well and it is consistent with the study objectives.
The aspect of using sources that are up to date is evidenced in the study. This ensures that the findings that are presented are current. The primary sources applied give a detailed coverage of the topic by presenting research studies that have been conducted in the recent years concerning the problem at hand as well as the research findings (Clayton et al., 2008). The authors make many references in addressing the issue implying that most of the data that was presented was clearly looked into. Sources that are outdated may provide faulty results especially in cases where the trends of the question under discussion have been changing over the years (Bryane 2002).
The research study used a good sample size. This is because the sample was neither too big nor too small. This makes it easier for the researchers to conduct the study since the sample is easy to handle. The likelihood of having accurate data is high since the size gives the researcher a chance to collect information from the sources. According to Bryane (2002), the sample size is an important element in any research work as it determines how accurate the end results will be, the smaller the sample the higher the chances of attaining accurate outcomes. It is however, important to note that the sample size should neither be too small since this will not provide much information; the nature of the study will determine the sample size to be used. For this particular study, the sample size used was suitable since the nature of the study could allow such a sample to be used.
The data collection method applied was appropriate. The instruments that were used in collecting the data were suitable for evaluating the data hence they could be considered reliable. The issue of having reliable instruments in any research work is important since the outcomes attained are reliable. One can therefore make inferences from the findings without having to carry out more research. The survey instruments used in the study served the important role of measuring three key variables namely practice characteristics, attitude towards the problem by nurses and patient factors. The instruments were appropriate since they measured the three variables appropriately.
The data analyses method conducted in a simplified manner hence it is easier to link the idea with others. The mode in which the data is presented is also good since readers can easily derive conclusions; this is because the data has been presented in an orderly manner hence one can easily tell the implications of certain results. The simplified mode of data presentation enhances the reader’s interest further since complex data makes the readers to lose interest in data because of the complexities involved; this is also because one may waste a lot of time in trying to understand the data. The analyses method used is appropriate since it is economical in as far as time management is concerned. Simplified data is important in any research work as it enables readers to make logical conclusions (Bryane 2002).
Conclusion
The survival rate for patients diagnosed with pediatric cancer has been on the rise over the years. One of the effects of cancer treatment is infertility. Fertility preservation is therefore an important factor in pediatric oncology. The research study addresses the topic under discussion well since it is evident that the authors were well informed on the issue under discussion. Although the study presents some weaknesses, it is evident that the research findings presented are valid. The most important aspects of a study design have been incorporated hence making the study findings coherent.
References
Bryane D. (2002). Interpreting quantitative data. AZ: SAGE. Clayton, H., Quinn, G. P., Ji-Hyun, L., King, L.M., Miree, C. A., Nieder, M., & Vadaparampil, S. T. (2008). Trends in clinical practice and nurse’s attitudes about fertility preservation for pediatric patients with cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 35(2), 249-255.