As a DNP scholar, you are expected to perform an academic search of scholarly peer-review journal articles on a given topic. For this assignment, you will choose an article from a peer-review journal database, including but not limited to CINAHL, MEDLINE, Pub MED, NIH, Google Scholar, and AGM Virtual Library. Once you have your article, you will read and analyze the document and be able to answer the following questions:
What is the purpose of the study?
What type of methodology the researcher utilizes and why?
How do the results of the study contribute to the research question?
Research Methodology
The research methodology refers to the systematic approach and strategy the researcher uses to conduct the study. The choice of methodology is determined by the research question itself.
If the purpose is to measure the effect of an intervention, the researcher might use a quantitative methodology, such as an experimental design (e.g., a Randomized Controlled Trial). This approach relies on numerical data and statistical analysis to test hypotheses. The researcher chooses this method because it allows for the manipulation of variables and the establishment of cause-and-effect relationships.
If the purpose is to explore a phenomenon or understand the lived experiences of a group, the researcher would likely use a qualitative methodology, such as a phenomenological or ethnographic design. This approach relies on non-numerical data like interviews or observations to gather rich, in-depth insights into a subject. This method is chosen when the research question is about "how" or "why" something occurs, and the goal is to develop a deeper understanding rather than to test a hypothesis.
Sometimes, a researcher may use a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative methods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the research problem.
Contribution of Results to the Research Question
The results section of a study presents the findings, which directly address the initial research question. The results contribute by providing evidence that either supports or refutes the study's hypotheses.
Sample Answer
Purpose of the Study
The primary purpose of a scholarly study is to investigate a specific research question or problem within a given field. The purpose statement, often found in the introduction or abstract of a paper, outlines what the researchers aim to achieve. It tells the reader the overall goal of the research, such as to explore, describe, explain, or evaluate a particular phenomenon, relationship, or intervention. The purpose often includes the target population and the variables being studied, setting the stage for the rest of the paper. For instance, the purpose of a study might be to "evaluate the effectiveness of a new nurse-led intervention in reducing readmission rates for heart failure patients."