Analyzing Awake Craniotomy and Blood Pressure Studies

This comprehensive academic paper aims to scrutinize the research design, sample methodology, and ethical considerations employed in two distinct research studies. The first study, titled "The Experience of Patients Undergoing Awake Craniotomy," adopts a qualitative approach, while the second study, "The Effects of Crossed Leg on Blood Pressure Measurement," employs a quantitative methodology.

Research Design

The qualitative study on awake craniotomy utilizes a descriptive phenomenology design. As Polit and Beck (2012) elucidate, this design aims to explore lived experiences by allowing researchers to suspend preconceived notions and comprehend the essence of phenomena through the perspectives of those who have experienced them (p.

12). Interviews conducted at various stages before and after surgery provide a rich dataset, and the absence of a control group underscores the purely descriptive nature of the study.

Conversely, the quantitative study on blood pressure measurement employs an experimental crossover design. This design involves comparing two participant groups and subsequently switching their roles. Group one serves as the control group with blood pressure measurements taken with feet on the floor, while group two, the test group, has measurements taken with legs crossed.

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The reverse occurs in the subsequent phase. This design choice facilitates participants acting as their own controls, enhancing the study's internal validity.

Expanding on the quantitative study's design, it is essential to note that the experimental crossover design is particularly advantageous when exploring cause-and-effect relationships. By allowing each participant to experience both conditions (legs crossed and feet flat on the floor), the study maximizes control over potential confounding variables, contributing to the robustness of the findings.

Moreover, the qualitative study's descriptive phenomenology design underscores its commitment to understanding the nuances of the patient experience. By adopting an open-minded stance and seeking to grasp the essence of the phenomenon without imposing preconceived views, the researchers enhance the study's credibility and resonance with the participants' subjective realities.

Sample Methodology

In the qualitative study, convenience sampling was employed, involving eleven women and ten men, totaling twenty-one patients with ages ranging from twenty to sixty-three. The inclusion criteria specified patients with brain neoplasms awaiting surgery under local anesthesia, aged 18 or older, without language or cognitive disabilities, and willing to collaborate for an interview (Palese et al., 2008, p. 167). Despite the uniqueness of the procedure, the sample size was considered appropriate with almost equal gender distribution.

Delving deeper into the qualitative study's sample methodology, it is noteworthy that the inclusion criteria were meticulously defined to ensure the relevance of participants' experiences to the study's objectives. By focusing on patients with brain neoplasms undergoing surgery under local anesthesia, the researchers aimed to capture a specific cohort facing a distinctive medical situation. The even distribution of gender within the sample further enhances the study's robustness by minimizing potential gender-related biases in the findings.

Conversely, the quantitative study also utilized convenience sampling, selecting one hundred hypertensive male subjects from outpatient clinics in an inner-city acute-care veterans’ hospital in Chicago. However, the study could have been enhanced by including female participants. The inclusion criteria focused on patients diagnosed with hypertension and treated with antihypertensive medications, excluding those with peripheral vascular disease, lower extremity surgery, amputation, or conditions interfering with lower extremity positioning (Foster-Fitzpatrick et al., 1999, para. 9).

Discussing the quantitative study's sample methodology in more detail, it becomes apparent that the focus on hypertensive male subjects raises questions about the generalizability of the findings to the broader population. The exclusion of female participants limits the study's external validity, and a more diverse sample would have allowed for a more comprehensive exploration of the effects of crossed legs on blood pressure across genders.

Ethical Considerations

The qualitative study conducted in the neurosurgical unit of Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital in Italy obtained approval from the local health service and university headquarters before initiating the research. Although not reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), the study demonstrated ethical integrity by respecting participants' privacy, ensuring anonymity, and obtaining informed consent. The researcher conducting interviews had adequate training and supervision, minimizing potential psychological discomfort for participants.

Additionally, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of obtaining ethical approval from both the local health service and university headquarters in the qualitative study. This dual approval process adds an extra layer of ethical scrutiny, ensuring that the research adheres to institutional and regional ethical standards. Although the study was not reviewed by an IRB, the comprehensive ethical framework implemented contributes to the study's credibility and adherence to ethical norms.

Similarly, the quantitative study, carried out in an inner-city veterans’ hospital in Chicago, obtained verbal consent from participants identified in outpatient clinics. Despite lacking IRB review, the study exhibited ethical standards, ensuring no cost to participants, involving qualified researchers, and avoiding mistreatment of any individual. The exclusion of vulnerable groups and the provision of ample time for participants to compose themselves during interviews mitigated potential discomfort.

Elaborating on the ethical considerations in the quantitative study, the use of verbal consent warrants discussion. While verbal consent is a recognized form of obtaining approval for participation, the study could have further strengthened its ethical standing by incorporating written consent. Written consent provides a tangible record of participants' willingness to engage in the study, offering an additional layer of protection for both researchers and participants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the two research studies demonstrate meaningful contributions to their respective fields. The awake craniotomy study, utilizing descriptive phenomenology, provides valuable insights into the experiences of patients undergoing a unique surgical procedure. On the other hand, the blood pressure measurement study, employing an experimental crossover design, explores the impact of leg positioning on blood pressure readings.

While both studies effectively implement their chosen research designs and exhibit ethical rigor, the inclusion of women in the quantitative study would have strengthened its generalizability. Both studies serve as commendable examples of evidence-based practice applicable in clinical settings, offering valuable implications for healthcare professionals.

Expanding on the implications for healthcare professionals, the findings from the awake craniotomy study underscore the importance of understanding and addressing the subjective experiences of patients undergoing unique medical interventions. Healthcare practitioners can benefit from a nuanced understanding of patient perspectives, contributing to improved patient care and enhanced communication between healthcare providers and patients.

Furthermore, the blood pressure measurement study highlights the significance of considering diverse sample characteristics in research endeavors. The critique of the study's sample methodology emphasizes the potential limitations associated with exclusive focus on hypertensive male subjects. Future research in this domain should prioritize inclusivity in sample selection to ensure findings are more representative of the broader population.

Overall, these research studies, despite their distinctive methodologies, offer valuable lessons for researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. By engaging in rigorous critique and analysis, the academic and healthcare communities can continue to advance evidence-based practices, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes and the advancement of medical knowledge.