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4.1 Introduction
4. Research Method
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Chapter 4 Research Method
This chapter describes the research study method. The first steps required in order to
conduct the research are described at the outset. These include gaining and
maintaining access to the research site, listing the inclusion criteria for the research,
describing the research ethics, and explaining the role of reflection in this research
study. The data collection methods and their analysis are then described. Firstly, the
documentary data collection and analysis are described. Secondly, the interview and
observation data collection methods are described. The analysis of both of these
methods is subsequently described as they were analysed together. Thirdly, the
distribution and analysis of the attitude survey is described. A description of how
research rigour was achieved is presented throughout.
4.2 Gaining and Maintaining Access to the Research Unit
The researcher had initially been invited by the staff of the research unit to work
with them on enhancing resident care. Ethical approval was sought and granted.
Following ethical approval for the research study, the researcher arranged to meet
with the Director of Nursing of the hospital and the Divisional Nurse Manager of the
research unit. The aim of this meeting was to seek consent to commence the research
and to answer any questions. It was agreed that the research could proceed.
Subsequently a meeting on the research unit was arranged in order to inform the staff
that ethical approval had been granted and that written consent for participation was
now required. The staff had requested the research project so this meeting was not
held to discuss the aim of the study, but rather to explain the data collection methods
and the need for signed written consent from all participants. Maintaining access was
achieved through regular researcher presence in the research unit.