Rigor Research Validity in Qualitative †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Qualitative Rigor Research Validity in Qualitative. Answer: Introduction Antenatal counseling remains a key component for clinical care for expectant mothers, especially for primi gravida mothers. Antenatal psychological distress is estimated to be high worldwide. The prevalence ranges from 8% to 30%, depending on a countrys social cultural determinants. Statistics for developed countries stand at 18% with a higher percentage in developing countries(Satyanarayana,2011).Antenatal counseling, also prenatal counseling is a care the seeks to grow understanding of maternal care to mothers. This maternal care covers the care during and after the pregnancy. Primi gravida mothers by definition are mothers who are carrying their first pregnancy, meaning that they are often deficient of critical maternal care. The situation is especially wanting where the primi gravida mothers develop stress or anxiety for various reasons in the course of the pregnancy. Medical practitioners involved often advocate for non-invasive testing and counseling. In addition to these routine tastings and counseling, the World Health Organization(WHO)recommends information be accorded to pregnant mothers on health needs of the pregnant woman,nutrition,emergency preparedness, danger sign recognition and preventive home practices. Also included is advice that promotes mother and child health during and after birth. Management of stress in primi gravida mothers often amounts to anxiety and depression. It is the most common mental disorder during pregnancy, often relating to psychosocial and clinical factors (Ayele et al.2016). Maternal depression and anxiety form the greatest number of complications reported during pregnancy (Thomas et al.2014).It is noted that primi gravida mothers are adversely affected by this stressful state in relation to emotional wellbeing, her relationship with the child and the larger family. The child is also affected in various ways such as emotionally, potential disability and cognitive and behavioral development challenges (Thomas et al.2014). Over time, communication provide in antenatal counseling has shown positive impact towards improving stress conditions among primi gravida mothers. However,information studies indicate that in developing countries, information provided in antenatal counseling is inadequate.Actually,patients in these countries perceive antenatal counseling as poor and of limited communication (Jennings et al.2010).This findings explain the increasing need for antenatal counseling for primi gravida mothers all over the world. This study will examine whether antenatal counselling reduce the stress in primi gravida mothers during pregnancy. As previously, noted, effective antenatal counseling remains unpopular in developing countries as compared to developed countries where it has greatly improved maternal understanding and general health practices especially among primi gravida mothers (Jennings et al.2010). According to Satyanarayana (2011), cases of psychological distress are more in developing countries than in developed countries. Moreover, a few studies have investigated the effectiveness Antenatal counseling for stressed primi gravida mothers in the Australian context only to find that quality of antenatal counseling is wanting since counseling varies and there are no comprehensive national guidelines on antenatal care (Hunt and Lumley 2002). The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of antenatal care in reducing stress among primi gravida mothers in Australia. Research Question The main research question is, Does Antenatal Counselling Reduce the Stress in Primi Gravida Mothers During Pregnancy? The study will seek to address the following objectives: To determine the perceptions of primi gravida mothers on antenatal counseling. To determine the actual experiences in antenatal counseling for primi gravida mothers dealing with stress during pregnancy and their recommendations. To determine the nature and quality of support given to stressed primi gravida mothers during pregnancy. This being a qualitative investigation, the researcher will not endeavor to formulate and test a research hypothesis. Since the purpose of the research is to investigate whether antenatal counseling helps to reduce stress among pregnant primi gravida mothers. The researcher does not have prior knowledge of the feelings and experiences of stressed and pregnant primi gravida mothers in Australia, hence it is not possible to formulate meaningful hypothesis for testing. For the purpose of clinical practice, the researcher is interested in subjective experiences of stressed primi gravida mothers in antenatal counseling. Hypothesis testing requires numerical variables, which fail to address and reflect on the nature of the research as a nursing practice. Consequently, the use of the qualitative approach provides the researcher with the opportunity to have a broader perspective where the research goes through the entire research process, and then begins to narrow down to the themes and trends in the study that then guide the formulation of hypothesis (Blankenship, 2010). The hypothesis for the proposed study will be formulated at the end following a process of data collection and analysis. For the purpose of this investigation, the researcher shall employ the grounded theory to generate hypothesis from the data, findings and responses received from the study participants. According to Corbin and Strauss (1990) grounded theory enables researchers to begin an investigation without the need of formulating a testable hypothesis and generate the hypothesis or theories as they emerge from the data, findings and participant responses. Grounded theory uses two principles, namely, questioning instead of measuring and using theoretical coding to generate hypothesis (Corbin Strauss, 1990). There are different approaches for achieving the purpose of the proposed study. A research approach is important in determining the size of the research sample, the data that is relevant and appropriate to the study, and the relevant methods for collecting, analyzing and presenting the data and research findings (Caulley, 2007). Qualitative research allows the research to incorporate inspirations, motives, meanings, attitudes, values, beliefs, and human perspective in investigating the social reality and daily life experiences of people (Holloway and Galvin, 2016). Moreover, the qualitative design allows the researcher to investigate subjects, cases, phenomenon in their real and natural environment and settings thus generating appropriate meaning and insights from the experiences of the participants. With qualitative research design, the researcher is able to use different methodologies, approaches and methods of data collection, analysis and presentation. This allows the researcher to achieve flexibility, freedom and adaptability while investigating the research question and attaining the purpose of the study (Marshall and Rossman, 2011). The qualitative research approach is therefore appropriate, relevant and important in providing an understanding on whether antenatal counseling helps to reduce stress in pregnant primi gravida mothers in Australia, and the support accorded to these mothers. This study will adopt a qualitative research design with semi-structured interviews. The use of semi-structured interviews offers the researcher flexibility and balance of the open-ended interviews and highly structured ethnographic research (Bernard and Bernard, 2012). Research Design The researcher will employ the explorative research design to investigate the purpose and objectives of the study. The explorative design is deemed appropriate when collecting primary research data, gaining insights and familiarity with the topic under investigation. It will be important for the researcher to be familiar with the experience of mothers during pregnancy and the role of prenatal counseling in reducing pain. By using the exploratory design, the researcher will be able to understand the ideas, theoretical foundations and assumptions guiding the study under investigations. Hence, the exploratory design is appropriate, and relevant to the proposed study. Semi-structured interviews are effective when analyzing, developing and refining a research question. It is also useful when researcher is seeking to uncover descriptive data concerning the experiences of the research participants. Using semi-structured interviews enables the research to move from a general topic to specific variables and factors in the study (Galletta, 2013). Moreover, semi-structured interviews offer the researcher an opportunity to identify and describe existing relationships and develop theoretical background for further research. Semi-structured interviews enable the research to examine and explore the lived experiences of research participants (Galletta, 2013). Study population shall comprise specifically primi gravida mothers who experienced stress and anxiety during their pregnancy, and attended antenatal counseling at Renmark Paringa District Hospital Inc.Ral Ral Ave, Renmark, Australia between December 2016 and April 2017. Sampling allows the researcher to select participants from the entire population for the purpose of the study (Privitera, 2013). A good sampling technique enables the researcher to identify a representative sample from the population that aids in attaining the purpose of the study while remaining cost-effective and appropriate to the available resources, both people, time and money (Privitera, 2013). This study will use purposive sampling technique. Purposive sampling is one of the non-probability techniques useful for conducting qualitative studies and enables the researcher to gain a deeper understanding of the problem, phenomenon or issues under investigation. The researcher deliberately makes choices and selections of the research participants based on the predetermined qualities that they have (Tongco, 2007). The researcher determines the information he/she wants to collect and goes out to identify and select people who are able and willing to provide the desired information based on their personal experiences and knowledge (Tongco, 2007). The purposive sampling technique would be very effective in achieving the purpose of the proposed study. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria The sample for this study will be drawn only from primi gravida mothers who attended antenatal counseling and has stressful pregnancy period for the period December 2016-April 2017.For the mothers to be eligible to participate in the research, they will be required to demonstrate a recent memory of their experience. Moreover, the mother should be able to speak and understand English. The researcher will conduct sampling until the right participants and the required sample size has been attained. For the purpose of the research, given the limited time and financial resources, the researcher shall target to recruit a sample size of n=20 primi gravida mothers going through stressful pregnancy period and who met the above stated inclusion and exclusion criteria. The researcher will contact all the primi gravida mothers in the sample identified and request for their participation in the proposed study. Informed consent is critical to ensuring attainment of the research objectives while safeguarding and protecting the interests of the participants in the study (Shrivastava, Shrivastava and Ramasamy, 2015). Therefore, the researcher will inform the mothers on the nature and importance of the study. The mothers shall be granted an opportunity to accept or reject the invitation to partake in the study. Their decision will be reached without force, or undue influence. The researcher will identify the names of those who agree to participate in the study and further educate them on the purpose of the study, nature of activities they would be involved and the use of the information and results generated from the investigation. They will be expected to read, understand and sign an informed consent sheet, which will be assessed by the Ethics Committee for accuracy, completeness and relevance for the proposed study. This particular study will use both primary and secondary data to attain its purpose and objectives. Secondary data shall comprise books, journals and other scholarly publications that the researcher will use to establish the context, theoretical background, explain the concepts, refine the research topic and identify gaps in the existing literature on the topic for future research (Rabianski, 2004). The qualitative design offers variety regarding the methods of collecting primary data for the purpose of the study.Primary data collection will use different methods, including face-to-face interviews, primary and secondary data, case studies, observations and discussions within focused groups (Rabianski, 2004). The choice of the preferred method depends on the objective and purpose of the investigation and the kind of data that the researcher seeks to collect (Rabianski, 2004). For the purpose of the proposed investigation, primary data will be collected through face-to-face interviews conducted by the researcher over a period of 4 months. Face to face interviews provides an opportunity for the researcher to ensure the completeness of the semi-structured interviews, ask other emerging or probing questions and observe the non-verbal cues from the participants to compliment their stated feelings, perceptions and experiences concerning the research question (DiCicco?Bloom and Crabtree, 2006). All the interviews will be conducted in English language. The interview shall comprise asking mothers with participants to describe their experiences while going through the antenatal counscelling and to offer recommendations where necessary. The researcher will use probing questions to guide the primi gravida mothers in delving deeper and offering more information and detail concerning the effectiveness of the antenatal counseling in reducing their stress. The researcher will use instruments such as notebooks and electronic recorders to document and preserve the interviews for reviewing later during the data analysis phase. At the end of the interviewing process the researcher will recap and summarize every key point provided by the mothers, and then verify where necessary to determine the correctness and accuracy of the data collected. Data analysis phase will then follow. Data Analysis Data analysis is critical to understanding the collected data, and deriving relevant findings, conclusions and recommendations. After completing all the interviews, the researcher will listen to the recorded tapes and engage in verbatim transcription of the recorded interviews. An independent observer will be used to check the content of the recorded tapes and compare it with the non-verbal behavior noted during the interviews. The researcher and independent observer shall engage in careful reading and re-reading of the transcripts to establish actual meanings and trends emerging from the data, and the non-verbal cues observed among the research participants. Following Morse (1994) framework, line-by-line reading of the narrative will be conducted and the arising text divided into categories. This shall comprise level 1 coding where unique words or codes will be assigned to every category to convey specific meaning of the category (Graneheim and Lundman, 2004). The level 2 coding shall involve grouping all the coded data to common meaning, generating categories and subthemes from the information (Graneheim and Lundman, 2004). Level 3 coding will include grouping the subthemes together to achieve emerging trends or themes constituting the Basic Social Psychological Process (Graneheim and Lundman, 2004). Three independent coders and assessors will review the entire coding process, the codes assigned and categories formulated in order to determine the trustworthiness, validity and accuracy of the codes and ensure easier and effective interpretations of the information and findings gleaned from the study. Rigor, Reliability and Validity Unlike quantitative studies, it is very challenging to establish rigor in qualitative investigations because of the subjective nature of information and data collected. Although reliability and validity are research concepts commonly utilized in quantitative investigations, they also have a role in qualitative studies, especially while designing, analyzing data and ensuring the overall quality of the study (Patton, 1990). Researcher use concepts of credibility, comfirmability, dependability and transferability to assess rigor qualitative studies (Lincoln and Guba,1985). Credibility relates to providing findings that are convincing and believable. Transferability entails the ease of application of research findings across other context that share similarities with the research setting. Dependability is a feature that entails the findings from a study almost similar to other studies conducted on the topic. Confirmability is a test where an independent reviewer or auditor finds similar findings as the lead researcher. Trustworthiness is a critical measure of reliability in qualitative studies (Seale, 1999). Lincoln and Guba (1985) further note that the measure of trustworthiness replaces validity and reliability measures while conducting qualitative research. Research rigor or trustworthiness is achieved through researchers attention and confirmation of information gathered to represent the actual experiences of the participants (Thomas and Magilvy, 2011). For the purpose of the proposed study, the researcher will use four criteria proposed in Gubas framework to establish the trustworthiness of the qualitative investigation. Lincoln and Guba (1985) identified credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability as important measures of trustworthiness. Credibility will be attained by tape recording the interviews, conducting participants debriefing, member checks and comparing notes and summaries with the participants to verify their experiences. The researcher will assess transferability by sharing the findings with an independent colleague to offer constructive critique and sharing the findings from nurses and mothers that did not participate in the study. An independent reviewer will also check the findings, analysis, interpretations and the recommendations to confirm that they are supported by the available data. The researcher will assess dependability by using a more experienced independent person to check and review the coding and analysis process. Finally, confirmability will be achieved by using the actual words of the participants to explain and describe their experiences plus recommendations concerning antenatal counseling for stressed and pregnanat primi gravida mothers. While conducting an investigation, the researcher has ethical obligations to ensure and protect the rights of the participants (Munhall, 2012). It will be important to establish trust between the researcher and the participants. Hence, ethical considerations will be very important in the proposed study. Three ethical considerations will be utilized while conducting the study. Firstly, before conducting the study, the researcher will seek informed consent and written approval from the university ethics committee (Munhall, 2012). Permission will also be sought from the Management of the hospital where the study will be conducted. Finally, informed consent will be sought from mothers, who will participate in the actual study. Secondly, the researcher will ensure confidentiality and anonymity by using codes instead of the actual names of the participants to avoid divulging personal information to the public (Munhall, 2012). Lastly, the participants will be informed of their right to with draw from the study at any given point without any punishment. Like any other research, this study will experience a few challenges that will affect the quality of the research findings and applications to the general population. The collection and analysis of qualitative data is time consuming, and expensive, which will hinder the researcher from exploring a larger sample size (Anderson, 2010). The use of a small sample size reduces credibility and reliability of the research findings, which will create a problem in generalizing the findings to the entire study population (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015). This being a qualitative research, it is very difficult to assess rigor through reliability and validity tests, forcing the researcher to use trustworthiness measure (Green and Thorogood, 2013). Conclusion In conclusion, this paper has presented a proposal for investigating possibility reducing stress for pregnant primi gravida mothers through antenatal counseling in Australia. This research proposal is significant to my overall academic performance since it will culminate into an academic enquiry that is relevant and appropriate for my program. There being no specific guidelines of antenatal care for primi gravida and other mothers in Australia, there is little or no information concerning the experiences of mothers going through stress, anxiety or depression in the nursing practice. The literature of this study will contribute to a body of literature on the subject and topic by identifying existing research gaps, and developing knowledge, recommendations, and research based evidence concerning the experiences of stressed and expectant primi gravida mothers. Upcoming primi gravida mothers, Management, nurses and counsellors, caregivers and future students will find this study very rel evant to nursing. Nurses and counsellors will understand how to best support, and provide adequate information to pregnant primi gravida mothers who experience stress. References Anderson, C., 2010. 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