Data obtained from research and the manner in which it is gathered helps to validate and answer the clinical question being examined. Research data must be objective, void of any personal biases, beliefs, values, or attitudes and be gathered from the subjects in a systemic manner that is consistent and uniform (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2014). The various types of data collection methods used in research, their advantages, and their disadvantages will be discussed. Finally, I will describe a scenario where one type of data collection method would be useful and point out what hidden disasters may exist in this method.
According to LoBiondo-Wood and Haber (2014), the data collection methods include, observational, self-report, physiological, …show more content…
Disadvantages to that it is hard for the researcher to keep their own views, values, and beliefs in check and it may be difficult for the subjects to act normally when they know that they are being observed. The Hawthorne effect is a phenomenon that an observed research subject will conform and behave in a social desirable manner aligning with the expectations of the researcher and the study (McCambridge, Witton, & Elbourne, 2014). The self-report method is useful in nursing for gathering data on unobserved data regarding the quality of life, patient satisfaction, pain, support, and functional statuses for whom the research is focused (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2014). Drawbacks to this method would include truthfulness in reporting, the length of questionnaires, the questions themselves, and, like the observational method, respondents tend to answer in ways they feel the researcher would like them …show more content…
I am a member of the infection disease council at my workplace and have seen benefits and drawbacks with the monthly hand hygiene audits that I have performed over the past years. The data is gathered from an observation method that requires us to monitor at least ten health care workers and their compliance with proper hand hygiene techniques in their nursing units. Meaningful and descriptive data is collected by a trained observer’s eye that monitors workers compliance to the hand hygiene policies in place. Often the numbers are skewed when staff recognizes and alerts others to the purpose of my presence on their hospital unit. Workers understand why I am there and will consciously follow proper hand washing protocols. We rotate monthly to different floors to avoid recognition to gather data that is true to the work environment. Even if they notice my presence, just being there reinforces to the staffs that proper hand hygiene decreases HCAI and they will be encouraged to incorporate this process into their daily routines.
In conclusion, there are various data collection methods in research and a researcher should understand the advantages and disadvantages of each one and how it may
According to LoBiondo-Wood and Haber (2014), the data collection methods include, observational, self-report, physiological, …show more content…
Disadvantages to that it is hard for the researcher to keep their own views, values, and beliefs in check and it may be difficult for the subjects to act normally when they know that they are being observed. The Hawthorne effect is a phenomenon that an observed research subject will conform and behave in a social desirable manner aligning with the expectations of the researcher and the study (McCambridge, Witton, & Elbourne, 2014). The self-report method is useful in nursing for gathering data on unobserved data regarding the quality of life, patient satisfaction, pain, support, and functional statuses for whom the research is focused (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2014). Drawbacks to this method would include truthfulness in reporting, the length of questionnaires, the questions themselves, and, like the observational method, respondents tend to answer in ways they feel the researcher would like them …show more content…
I am a member of the infection disease council at my workplace and have seen benefits and drawbacks with the monthly hand hygiene audits that I have performed over the past years. The data is gathered from an observation method that requires us to monitor at least ten health care workers and their compliance with proper hand hygiene techniques in their nursing units. Meaningful and descriptive data is collected by a trained observer’s eye that monitors workers compliance to the hand hygiene policies in place. Often the numbers are skewed when staff recognizes and alerts others to the purpose of my presence on their hospital unit. Workers understand why I am there and will consciously follow proper hand washing protocols. We rotate monthly to different floors to avoid recognition to gather data that is true to the work environment. Even if they notice my presence, just being there reinforces to the staffs that proper hand hygiene decreases HCAI and they will be encouraged to incorporate this process into their daily routines.
In conclusion, there are various data collection methods in research and a researcher should understand the advantages and disadvantages of each one and how it may