A critical discussion and reflection

Patchwork assignment; a critical discussion and reflection

Within one single document, you will need to produce three (3) pieces or sections of written work. This patchwork assignment involves a variety of written tasks and will enable you to demonstrate your learning across the module learning outcomes.

You will need to produce two (2) written critiques of original / primary research. The two critiques should demonstrate your knowledge of diverse issues such as, different types of research methods and designs, different populations or different research issues such as ethics, governance, bias, sampling, reliability / validity and other aspects of the research process.

You can choose to include papers reporting on similar populations / mental health diagnoses, but with differing methods from each other. You are required to select one quantitative research design study and one qualitative. The final piece of your patchwork assignment should be a written reflective account of how your choice of research articles critiqued, and your learning derived from critiquing them, have helped shape your own learning journey towards becoming an accomplished evidenced based mental health nurse. Each of your three (3) written pieces should be around 500 words in length with (+/-10%) wordage allowance

Total Word Count:1,500 to 1,600 words

Section 1: Quantitative Research Critique

• Word Count:500-550 words


• Focus:Critique of quantitative study on any article or journal. ( Preferably latest)


• Suggested Subheadings:




• Introduction to the Article(approx. 50 words)




• Briefly introduce the studys aim, population, and relevance to mental health nursing.




• Methodology(approx. 100 words)




• Describe and critique the research design, sample size, and data collection methods.




• Ethical Considerations(approx. 100 words)




• Discuss ethical issues such as consent, confidentiality, and participant protection.




• Reliability and Validity(approx. 100 words)




• Evaluate how the study addresses these aspects, using criteria like Coughlan, Cronin, and Ryan (2007).




• Findings and Bias(approx. 100 words)




• Summarize key results and discuss potential sources of bias in data interpretation.




• Relevance to Nursing Practice(approx. 100 words)




• Discuss the implications of the studys findings for mental health nursing practice, focusing on schizophrenia, psychosis, or substance misuse.

Section 2: Qualitative Research Critique

• Word Count: 500-550 words


• Focus: Critique on qualitative study on journal.


• Suggested Subheadings:

Introduction to the Article (approx. 50 words)

Briefly introduce the studys aim, context, and relevance to mental health nursing, especially concerning bipolar disorder. Mention any particular focus on the lived experiences, treatment, or management challenges associated with bipolar disorder.

Methodology and Design (approx. 100 words)

Describe the qualitative design used (e.g., phenomenology, grounded theory) and evaluate the sampling method and data collection. Critique the appropriateness of the chosen design for exploring bipolar disorder, considering the studys objectives and the population involved.

Ethics and Governance (approx. 100 words)

Discuss ethical considerations, with a focus on the vulnerability of individuals with bipolar disorder, particularly during manic or depressive episodes. Address how the study managed issues like informed consent, confidentiality, and the potential psychological impact of participating in research.

Data Analysis and Trustworthiness (approx. 100 words)

Evaluate the credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability of the studys data analysis. Discuss whether the authors provided a transparent account of their data analysis process and used strategies like triangulation or member-checking to enhance trustworthiness.

Findings and Themes (approx. 100 words)

Summarize the key findings or themes, noting how they contribute to a deeper understanding of bipolar disorder. Discuss their relevance to mental health nursing, such as insights into patients' experiences with treatment, self-management, or social challenges.

Implications for Practice (approx. 100 words)

Highlight how the studys findings contribute to evidence-based practice in mental health nursing, particularly in managing bipolar disorder. Discuss any practical recommendations or insights that could improve care approaches or support services for individuals with bipolar disorder.

• References: Include 5-7 references, incorporating the selected article, qualitative critiquing guides, and relevant literature.

Section 3: Reflective Account

• Word Count:500-550 words


• Title:Reflection


• Focus:Reflect on how critiquing these research articles has influenced your development as an evidence-based mental health nurse.


• Suggested Subheadings:




• Introduction to Reflection(approx. 50 words)




• State the purpose of the reflection and link it to professional development.




• Learning from Quantitative Research(approx. 150 words)




• Reflect on insights gained from the quantitative critique, such as understanding research rigour, ethical considerations, and practical applications in nursing.




• Learning from Qualitative Research(approx. 150 words)




• Reflect on the strengths of qualitative approaches in mental health nursing, especially their ability to capture lived experiences.




• Impact on Evidence-Based Practice(approx. 100 words)




• Discuss how learning from both critiques has enhanced your evidence-based decision-making and understanding of researchs role in mental health nursing.




• Future Application in Nursing Practice(approx. 100 words)




• Outline how you plan to apply this learning in practice, especially in caring for individuals with schizophrenia, psychosis, or substance misuse challenges.