Quantitative Research
Irin Sultana
NUR 3130
05/13/ 2015
NYC College of Technology

 
Data Collection and Measurement
Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes. Accurate data collection is essential to maintaining the integrity of research. In this quantitative study, researcher collected data by questionnaire, open ended questions, observing the parents as to whether they were given adequate time in hospital to prepare for the nasogatric feeding, asking to prioritize teaching aid, numerical score for training, play performance scale, chi-squared test for group A and median test for group B. Parents and older children were asked to prioritize teaching aids, and to give each training aid numerical score from 1-4, where 1 being very helpful and 4 being unhelpful. Parents were also interviewed about their children’s activity at the start of NG feeding and the Lansky play performance scaled was used to evaluate the result of activity. However, there was no information or personal opinion from the Group A (Toddler & Younger Children, 2-6 yrs) because of their developmental age. Moreover, the sample size was very small to interpret and represent, thus the findings from experiment is questionable to generalize. So the sample being used in this quantitative study, are at risk of being overly representative of a small subgroup within the target population.
Procedures
In this study, for both age group A & B, it was decided that the experimental group would receive detailed preparation and supportive care before each NG feeding, whereas the control group would not. Due to the different ages, different intervention was provided. For group A, play technique coloring booklet, rewards, sticker was used during preparation and only parents were contacted daily initially and routinely followed up in the outpatient department, whereas for Group B, photograph album, video tape of intubation and anatomy booklets, relaxation and imagery technique was used during preparation and family including the child were contacted daily initially and routinely followed up in the outpatient department. This study gives accurate interpretation for group B, because the child can express their emotion by themselves. However, for group A the interpretation of the intervention was based on the parent’s observation and was not directly from child, therefore this study could carry bias.
Data Analysis
In this quantitative research, they used different tests for statistical data analysis. Even though, Mann-Whitney U used for both group to analyze the Lansky play scale score, to analyze questionnaire data, the chi- squared test was used for group A and the results were based on parent’s observation and for Group B, Median test was used to analyze questionnaire data. This quantitative research study only proved that routine preparation and psychological support appeared to be beneficial for older children. However, the researchers stated that the result needs to be interpreted with caution because of the small sample size. The optimal sample size for a study assures an adequate power to detect statistical significance. This study also showed that for children, passing nasogastric tube should not be delayed when using play therapy. Otherwise, children get extremely upset. Parents who received play therapists for their children reported positive effects on their child by reducing anger and aggression. However, the younger children were unable to express their thoughts or feeling about the therapy, and parent’s assessment was counted based on their children’s behavior. Moreover, the sample size was too small to have power analysis to determine whether a finding was accurate. The author stated “our findings must be interpreted with caution in view of the small sample size of older children”. Therefore the findings or results about young children should be interpreted with caution.
Findings
The result of the study are presented in tables, diagram, and in great detail within the paper. The key result of Lansky play scale score and preparation time for families and children was presented in data and then more detail in the discussion. In group A( Toddler Young children), there was no statistical differences in the response to questions about the effects of enteral nutrition between children who received routine preparation and those who received detailed preparation . Based on parents opinion, play therapists and talking to nurse was considered very helpful, but coloring book and photographs was not considered helpful for their children. On the other hand group B (Older children & adolescence), there was a statistically significant difference found between those who received routine preparation and those who received detailed preparation during NG tube feeding. The older children and adolescence were able to express their feelings and they were found to be less distressed by NG tube feeding with detailed preparation. However, the result for Group A (the toddler and younger children) can have bias because interpretations were made from parents opinion.
Summary Assessment
This quantitative study examined effectiveness of receiving detailed psychological preparation before nasogastric feeding tube in children and whether the coping/distraction techniques was helpful to be used to psychologically prepare children for nasograstric tube feeding. Even though, this study has merit, I believe the power of the study could be increased by obtaining a larger sample size and by addressing and minimizing potential threats to internal validity.
However, there is significance of this study to nursing because nurses can use the information when dealing with children needing enteral feeding. They can use the results in the clinical setting to make the experience less disturbing. Due to the lack of studies, nurse researchers might look into doing more research on this topic as well.

References
Koshar, J. (n.d.). Nursing Research & Evidence Based Practice. Retrieved from http://www.sonoma.edu/users/k/koshar/n300/week09_intv.html
Responsible Conduct in Data Management. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ori.hhs.gov/education/products/n_illinois_u/datamanagement/dctopic.html

Suresh, K., & Chandrashekara, S. (2012). Sample size estimation and power analysis for clinical research studies. Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences, 5(1), 7–13. doi:10.4103/0974-1208.97779