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ould explain next why the study needsto be undertaken and what he/she expects to glean from it.
The researcher should also state why the study will be ofsignificance and how it will add to the general body of
information on the phenomenon (Connell Meehan, 1999).
At this stage the researcher should also justify the use of aqualitative approach and the qualitative methodology to beused (Connell Meehan, 1999).
literature review
The function of a literature review in research studies is toprovide an objective account of what has been written on agiven subject. This in turn should reflect prominent emerging
themes and inform the conceptual framework of the study.Qualitative research follows the naturalistic paradigm
based on the assumption that multiple realities exist and suchrealities are constructed by the research participants. It aimsto explore the phenomenon in question by focusing on the
individuals who experience it (Vishnevsky and Beanlands,2004). Qualitative methods are concerned with experiences,
feelings and attitudes, as opposed to precise measurementand statistical analysis. Qualitative methodologies vary738 British Journal of Nursing, 2007, Vol 16, No 12Frances Ryan, Michael Coughlan, Patricia Cronin are Lecturers,School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dublin, Trinity
College, Dublin
Accepted for publication: March 2007theory or conceptual framework. The literature review istherefore carried out after the data have been collected. Theaim of this approach is to explore concepts embedded in thedata, thereby allowing theory to be generated from the datarather than vice versa (Robinson, 2002).
Similarly, in phenomenological investigations the literaturereview may be delayed until the data analysis is complete.
This ensures that the findings reflect participants’ experiencesregarding the inclusion of a literature review before the data
collection period. Similarly, there is debate over whether the
conceptual framework should precede the period of data
collection and data analysis.
When critiquing qualitative studies, the reviewer must
decide whether the researcher has rationalized his/her chosen
approach. A major premise of grounded theory, for example,
is that data are collected in isolation from any predetermined
RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES
British Journal of Nursing, 2007, Vol 16, No 12 739
Table 1. Research questions: guidelines for critiquing a qualitative research study
Elements influencing believability of the research
Elements Questions
Writing style Is the report well written – concise, grammatically correct, avoids the use of jargon?
Is it well laid out and organized?
Author Do the researcher’s qualifications/position indicate a degree of knowledge in this field?
Report title Is the title clear, accurate and unambiguous?
Abstract Does the abstract offer a clear overview of the study, including the research problem, sample,
methodology, findings and recommendations?
Elements influencing robustness of the research
Elements Questions
Statement of the Is the phenomenon to be studied clearly identified?
phenomenon of interest Are the phenomenon of interest and the research question consistent?
Purpose/significance of the study Is the purpose of the study/research question clearly identified?
Literature review Has a literature review been undertaken?
Does it meet the philosophical underpinnings of the study?
Does the review of th