Evidence-based human resource management: a study of nurse leaders’ resource allocation
- The study uses the sampling inclusion criteria. This is because patients are included in the study. In this study, the inclusion criteria is clearly defined since the researchers collect data from patient related issues for example nursing intensity per patient and classifications of daily patients. It is also appropriate because to study the work of nurses, patients have to be included since the work of nurses relates to patients.
- The researchers identify the sample size as 3 hospitals. These are taken as a representative of all the hospitals. Groups that would be included in the study would be the classifications of the different hospitals into wards. The study thus defines the sample size of the groups by classifying the hospital wards. For instance internal medicine, orthopaedics and neurology.
- The research used the reports of RAFAELA to determine its minimum sample size. Out of the 6 selected hospitals, three participated. This then implies that the sample size was appropriate since it represented 50% of the invited hospitals.
- The research does not address issues of refusal rate and sample mortality.
- The sample characteristics are well detailed. For instance, wards are characterized on all the parameters that are studied including number of beds, medicine units and number of nurses. The groups used are the different wards which are used for patients with different conditions. These have similar characteristics since for example all wards have beds, patients and nurses.
- The sampling method that is used is non probability sampling. This used purposive sampling since the researchers had specific groups that were predefined from the RAFAELA system. This is an appropriate method since it eliminates those events or even people not fitting the requirements. Further the sample accurately represents the population.
- The sample taken was from three mid-sized hospitals. Since the researcher intended to study these mid-sized hospitals, as shown by the fact that they invited the mid-sized hospitals only, these can be taken as a representative of the whole target population. Further, the hospital wards were studied as would be expected for hospitals to have wards. The researcher did not approach the research from a generalized vies but rather studied the independent wards.
- The study was carried out in 2009. However, the data that the hospitals provided was from 2006-2007 for hospitals B and C while hospital A provided data from 2006. Therefore there is a possibility of reporting nursing intensity and ward related information that is true according to the test but false in the reality.
- The study does not discuss any potential biases. However, they may be existent. For instance, some wards may have any beds and even minimal nurse intensity levels.
10) According to the research, the target population can be seen to be the mid-sized hospitals. This is because the research focuses on showing the use of the RAFAELA system for facilitation of evidence based management of human resources. However, out of the hospitals that participated in the RAFAELA system activity of benchmarking, the research uses the mid-sized hospitals.
Reference
Fagerstrom, L. (2009). Evidence-based human resource management: a study of nurse leaders’ resource allocation. Journal of Nursing Management, 17, 415-425.
