- Level: University Degree
- Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
- Word count: 2373
Falling in Parkinsons disease: the impact on informal caregivers. Citing previous research Davey et al (2004) purport that the emotional consequences of falling in Parkinsons may impact greater upon the caregivers than the faller, they go on to
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Introduction
SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATION NAME OF COURSE: physiotherapy MODULE TITLE: evaluation 2 ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Are the conclusions in the paper valid and do they answer the primary research question WORD COUNT: 2114 Please note that the stated word count for each piece of course work is an ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM N.B. tables, diagrams, figures, text boxes all count as 100 words (Unless stated different by module leader) HAND IN DATE: 15/12/09 COMPLETE COPY yes (INC DECLARATION OF OWN WORK, APPENDICES ETC) I have read the relevant information in the handbook relating to coursework requirements and have complied with these. yes Eval. 2 Falling in Parkinson's disease: the impact on informal caregivers. Are the conclusions in the paper valid and do they answer the primary research question. Word count: 2114 08012501 Date submitted: 15/12/09 The paper in question is a qualitative research paper which attempted to ascertain the impact of falling on informal caregivers, by analysing their views and experiences. (Davey et al 2004) Citing previous research Davey et al (2004) purport that the emotional consequences of falling in Parkinson's may impact greater upon the caregivers than the faller, they go on to suggest that according to previous research the main problems are a lack of information and support. ...read more.
Middle
(credibility and closeness to truth) This would have allowed the caregivers the chance to interact with each other, helping to probe and harness information. However, it must be noted that in terms of validity, triangulation techniques add to credibility and in terms of the research question in depth semi-structured interviews were appropriate and valid in answering the research question. Furthermore, to conduct a valid qualitative interview and undertake efficient data analysis takes considerable skill, (Mays & Pope 2000) particularly with regard to the self-awareness of the interviewer (Koch 1993) for example the researcher should be aware of monitoring their interview technique, not asking leading questions and giving respondents enough time to elucidate. (Mays & Pope 2000) This may be aided by keeping a field journal where interactions and reactions are noted and reflected on. (Koch 1993). Which leads us to a concept that many strategists call reflexivity. This may be considered in terms of the background, experiences, and views that the researcher naturally brings with them when conducting research. This subjectivity if made explicit and transparent at the outset may enhance credibility, giving the researcher an enhanced instinctual awareness of an environment or situation and consequently the experienced and self-aware researcher becomes an incisive research tool. ...read more.
Conclusion
In terms of answering the research question, we have shown that the research papers' sample was adequate and appropriate to the task, and the data collection and analysis techniques were also appropriate and congruent to the primary research question. The flaw in the representation of the sample only limits transferability and does not impinge upon the validity of the paper. With regard to the methods used, highlighted flaws would help to increase validity and again do not detract from the papers' credibility. In terms of the lack of background disclosure and the unclear audit trail, we have shown that some authorities suggest these flaws could indeed detract from the validity of the papers' conclusions and at least demand further investigation. However as Davey et al (2004) illustrate in their discussions their findings and conclusions concur with similar studies within the realm of Parkinson's disease and indeed with similar studies relating to the impact of falls on caregivers with other conditions, which Greenhalgh (1997) purports helps with conclusion validity. Greenhalgh (1997) also suggests that when assessing validity, the data interpretation should concur with common sense and the themes uncovered in the Davey et al (2004) paper, causes and consequences of falls, managing falls, information about falls and the impact on caregivers would certainly slot into that pattern. With these conclusions in mind we may suggest that the conclusions in the paper are valid and do indeed answer the primary research question. ...read more.
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