Questions:
Quantitative Study: Pressure ulcer development in older residents in nursing homes: influencing factors
Please help answer the questions (1-6) at the bottom based on the article:
KWONG E.W.-Y., PANG S.M. W. -Y. , -C. , ABOO G.H. & LAW S.S. -M. (2009) Pressure ulcer development in older residents in nursing homes: influencing factors. Journal of Advanced Nursing 65(12), 2608?2620.
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05117.x
1. I need to clarify if these are my Independent variables. Since descriptive study doesn't have a dependent variables (registered nurses, Nursing assistants, perceptions of conscience, stress of conscience and burnout).
2. Is the treatment (independent variable), clearly described and does it fit the purpose of the study?
3. Was a protocol developed to promote consistent implementation of the treatment? Did the researcher monitor this implementation? If the treatment was not consistently implemented or monitored, what might be the impact on the findings?
4. Were threats to internal and external validity identified by the researcher and minimized as much as possible? If not, how is that problematic? What do you see as the threats to intern and external validity?
5. If more than one group is used, do the groups appear equivalent? If not, how is that problematic?
6. If a treatment was used, were subjects randomly assigned to the treatment groups? Were the treatment and comparison group assignments appropriate for the purpose of the study? If not, how is that problematic?