preview

Qualitative Research Review of the Use of Patient Simulators in Nursing Education

Better Essays

Problem and Purpose Powell-Laney clearly identified the purpose of the study along with identifying the reason for the study. According to Powell-Laney (2010) there is a lack of evidence to support the use of simulation technology to teach clinical decision-making in nursing students thus Powell-Laney designed a study to ascertain whether the use of simulation technology in nursing education can increase the clinical decision making ability of nursing students (p. 6). Furthermore, Powell-Laney (2010) states that simulation technology is expensive and labor intensive thus adding to the need for current research to be done on the effectiveness of simulation technology in nursing education. Review of the Literature Simulation technology is …show more content…

44). Powell-Laney (2010) was also an instructor at one of the state’s practical nursing program but she did not allow that school to participate in the study further removing possible bias from the study (p. 45). The sample size was 133 students from four different schools and of five different nursing classes (Powell-Laney, 2010). I think that the sample size is sufficient for the purpose of this study. Using different school in this study and using participants that were in different classes also adds strength to this study (LoBiondo-Wood, 2014). Research Methodology Powell-Laney’s research methodology is explained well and has a clear list of operational definitions to help with understanding of the research methodology. A strength of Powell-Laney’s study is that she compared her study formation and data measurement techniques to those of studies that were done previously. Powell-Laney (2010) explained that it was advocated to use pre and posttests whenever sample groups can be randomly selected into two groups and each group could be given a different treatment (p. 37). Powell-Laney used the pre and posttest method so that participant’s scores could be compared to themselves. Expert nurses reviewed the content, congruency, and test construction of the pre and posttests that Powell-Laney (2010) developed. These tests were piloted to a group of 30 nursing students at a nonparticipating nursing school over a three-month period.

Get Access