4.

METHODOLOGY

The methodology of research indicates the general pattern of organizing the

procedure of gathering valid and reliable data for an investigation. Research

methodology provides a brief description of the method adopted by the investigator

in the study. The research methodology includes research approach, research design,

the setting, the population, and sample criteria for sample selection, method of

sample selection, development and description of tool, validity, reliability, pre test,

pilot study, and procedure for data collection and plan for data analysis.

(Kotari C.R 1990).

RESEARCH APPROACH:

The selection of research approach is a basic procedure for the conduction of

research study. In view of the nature of the problem selected for the study and

objectives to be accomplished, evaluative research is considered as an appropriate

research approach for the present study.

According to Polit and Hungler (1999) evaluative research is an applied form

of research that involves finding out how well a programme, practice, procedure or

policy is working. It involves the collection and analysis of information relating to

the functioning of a programme or procedure with the aim of assessing its

effectiveness.

RESEARCH DESIGN:

The term research design refers to the plan of a scientific investigation.

Research design helps to the researcher in the selection of subjects, identification of

22
variables, their manipulation and control, observations to be made and types of

statistical analysis to interpret the data.

The research design selected for the present study is pre-experimental with

one group pre-test and post-test design.

PRE-EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

In this, the pre-test was carried for assessing the knowledge of staff nurse

about ABG analysis and structured teaching was done, post-test was conducted after

the lapse of a week following pre-test. The design does not include any control

group (Nancy Burns and Susan K.Groove 1998).

Pre-experimental with one group pre-test and post design

Pre test Treatment Post test

Knowledge test Structured teaching programme (STP) Knowledge test

O1 X O2

The symbols are described as under:

1) O1/O2 – Observation one and Observation two.( Pre-test and Post-test)

2) X – STP.

23
P TARGET POPULATION
H Staff nurses working in selected Hospitals of bhopal M.P .
A
S
E ACCESSIBLE POPULATION
Staff nurses working in Index Hospital Indore , M.P.
1

SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
Non-Probability Convenient Sampling Technique

SAMPLE SIZE
30 Staff nurses

P
H PREPARATION OF TOOLS AND DATA COLLECTION
A
S
E PRE-INTERVENTION: O1
Administration of structured knowledge questionnaire to assess
knowledge
2
INTERVENTION
Administration structured teaching programme
P
H POST-INTERVENTION: O2
A Administration Of Structured knowledge Questionnaire to
S assess knowledge
E

3 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Descriptive &Inferential Statistics

Reporting Thesis

Figure No. - 3 Schematic Presentation of Research Design

24
VARIABLES UNDER STUDY

Independent variable:

 Structured teaching programme

Dependent variables:

 Knowledge of staff nurses about ABG analysis.

Demographic variables

Such as age, educational status, year of experience, participation in in service

education programme and experience to special area are treated as demographic

variables.

SETTING OF THE STUDY:

The study was conducted in index medical college and hospital, Indore. The

selection of the setting was done on the basis of:

a) Feasibility of conducting the study

b) Availability of samples

POPULATION:

Target populations for the study were staff nurses working in index medical

college and hospital, Indore, during the period of study.

SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE:

Polit and Hungler (1999) state that a sample consists of the subject of the

population selected to participate in research study. Sampling refers to the process of

25
selecting a portion of population to represent the entire population.

The sample of the study comprises of 30 staff nurses working in index

medical college and hospital. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select

the sample of this study.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF SAMPLE:

Inclusion criteria:

 Staff nurses who have completed Diploma in nursing and midwifery (GNM )
and degree course BSc. Nursing.

 Staff nurses of both sex.

 Staff nurses between 20-45 years of age.

 Staff nurses who are willing to participate in the research study.

Exclusion criteria:

 Staff nurses who are engaged in administrative work such as ward sister,

nursing Supervisor and superintendent.

 Staff nurses who are not willing to participate.

 Staff nurses who are on leave during period of data collection

SELECTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOOL:

The tool is a written device that a researcher uses to collect data (Polit and

Hunglar 1999).

Selection of tool:

A structured questionnaire selected for study. Questionnaire is used to get

exact and complete information from the subject. It was felt that questionnaire would

26
encourage the subjects to give frank information and help in collecting the data from

literate subject.

Development of the tool:

A questionnaire schedule was prepared to assess the knowledge of staff nurses

regarding ABG analysis.

The following steps were carried out in preparing the tool:

 Review of literature

 Preparation of blue print

Review of literature:

Books, journals, newspaper, articles, published and unpublished research

studies and internet search were used to develop the tool.

Preparation of blue print: The blue print of items pertains to the three domains of

learning that is-

❖ Knowledge domain 12(40%) items.

❖ Understanding domain 8(27%) items.

❖ Application domain 10(33%) items.

PREPARATION OF STRUCTURED TEACHING PROGRAMME:

Preparation of first draft of STP: A first draft of STP was developed keeping in

mind the objectives, criterion, checklists, and literature reviewed. The main factors

that were kept in mind while preparing STP were:

 Literacy level of subjects

 Method of teaching adopted

27
  Simplicity of the language

 Relevance of teaching aids

Content validity of the STP

The initial draft of STP was given to seven experts along with the criterion

checklist and to give suggestions on adequacy and relevance of content. The

suggestions given by experts were accepted and ensured the clarity and the validity

of the tool.

Preparation of the final draft of STP:

The final draft of STP was prepared after incorporating the suggestions of

experts

Description of STP:

The STP was titled “ABG analysis ”. It included

a) General objectives

b) Specific objectives

c) Introduction

d) Content organized in four aspects

 ABG sampling aspect

 Acid base balance & acid base balance disorder aspect

 ABG component aspect

 ABG interpretation aspect

e) References

28
DESCRIPTION OF THE TOOL:

The investigator developed a self-structured questionnaire which contained

items under the following section.

SECTION I:

Demographic data consisting of items seeking information about background

data such as age, educational status, year of experience, participation in in-service

education programme and experience to special area.

SECTION II:

Structured questionnaire was prepared on four aspects.

1) ABG introduction aspect

2) ABG sampling technique aspect

3) ABG component aspect

4) ABG interpretation aspect.

It consists of 30 items all of which were scored. The total scores was 30 and

each question contains four answers, out of four answer out of one correct answer was

given a score of ‘one’ and each wrong response a score of ‘zero’.

Validity of the tool:

Content validity of the tool was established by seven experts, comprising of

three physicians, and five nurse educators.

Initially the tool consisted of 30 items on knowledge, understanding and

application domain, where in all the items were agreed upon with the suggestion of

reorganizing the order of questions and modification of some questions. After

29
considering expert suggestion and modification of the tool thereafter the final tool

consists of-

 Demographic data (Background items) : 5 items

 Knowledge component : 30 items on four aspects

RELIABILITY OF TOOL:

Reliability of a research instrument is defined as the extent to which the instrument

yields the same result on repeated measures.

In order to establish reliability of the tool the test retest method was used, the tool was

administered to 10 samples. The reliability co-efficient of the tool was calculated by

using the

Karl Pearson‟s correlation co-efficient formula, the calculated value of „r‟ was 0.80.

The developed tool was found to be highly reliable

PILOT STUDY:

A pilot study is frequently defined as a smaller version of a proposed study

conducted to refine the methodology.

Pilot study is a small preliminary investigation of the same general character

as the main study.

Purposes of pilot study:

1) To evaluate the effectiveness of STP on knowledge about ABG analysis

2) To find out the feasibility of conducting the final study and to determine

the methods of statistical analysis.

30
 The pilot study was conducted in Mayur Hospital Near Bangali Square Circle

Indore for a period of 7 days from 20.07.2017 to 27.07.2017.. The permission to

conduct the study was obtained from Director of the Hospital (Annexure-A and B).

Ten subjects were selected by purposive sampling. The purpose of the study was

explained to each subject and written consent was obtained from them and assured

confidentiality. Pre-test was conducted followed by STP to subjects after a week post

test was conducted to same subjects and collected the data. Data analysis was done

using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the data revealed that this

study is feasible and effective

After the pilot study the tool was found to be feasible, practicable and

acceptable. So on change was found to be necessary in the main study design after the

pilot study. No revisions were made for the major study which was conducted from

12.08.2017 to 20.08.2017 in Index hospital Indore.

PROCEDURE OF DATA COLLECTION:

Data were collected in Index hospital after obtaining permission from

concerned authority (Annexure-A & B) and consent from participants (Annexure-C)

during the specified time for data collection. The pre-test was conducted and STP was

administered to subjects. Staff nurses were selected purposively. STP was conducted

using audio visual aids and lecture cum discussion method. Subjects were took active

participation in asking questions and seeking clarifications. The time taken for STP

was 45 minutes. Post test was conducted on same subjects six days after the

administration of STP, using the same tool as used for the pre-test.

31
DATA ANALYSIS PLAN:

The data obtained were analysed in terms of the objectives of the study, using

descriptive and inferential statistics. The following plan of data analysis was

identified to bring out data in terms of objectives.

Data was analyzed in the following steps

 Data was arranged in master sheet.

 Description of the subject with respect to baseline characteristics was

presented in the terms of frequency and percentage.

 Mean, Standard deviation and mean percentage of knowledge score of staff

nurses was used to determine the effectiveness of structured teaching

programme.

 Further statistical significance of the effectiveness of structured teaching

programme was analyzed by using paired„t‟ test.

 Association between the knowledge score and selected baseline characteristics

were analyzed by using fisher‟s exact test or chi square test.

4. METHODOLOGY

The methodology of research indicates the general pattern of organizing the

procedure of gathering valid and reliable data for an investigation. Research

methodology provides a brief description of the method adopted by the investigator

in the study. The research methodology includes research approach, research design,

the setting, the population, and sample criteria for sample selection, method of

sample selection, development and description of tool, validity, reliability, pre test,

pilot study, and procedure for data collection and plan for data analysis.

(Kotari C.R 1990).

RESEARCH APPROACH:

The selection of research approach is a basic procedure for the conduction of

research study. In view of the nature of the problem selected for the study and

objectives to be accomplished, evaluative research is considered as an appropriate

research approach for the present study.

According to Polit and Hungler (1999) evaluative research is an applied form

of research that involves finding out how well a programme, practice, procedure or

policy is working. It involves the collection and analysis of information relating to

the functioning of a programme or procedure with the aim of assessing its

effectiveness.

RESEARCH DESIGN:

The term research design refers to the plan of a scientific investigation.

Research design helps to the researcher in the selection of subjects, identification of

22
variables, their manipulation and control, observations to be made and types of

statistical analysis to interpret the data.

The research design selected for the present study is pre-experimental with

one group pre-test and post-test design.

PRE-EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

In this, the pre-test was carried for assessing the knowledge of staff nurse

about ABG analysis and structured teaching was done, post-test was conducted after

the lapse of a week following pre-test. The design does not include any control

group (Nancy Burns and Susan K.Groove 1998).

Pre-experimental with one group pre-test and post design

Pre test Treatment Post test

Knowledge test Structured teaching programme (STP) Knowledge test

O1 X O2

The symbols are described as under:

3) O1/O2 – Observation one and Observation two.( Pre-test and Post-test)

4) X – STP.

23
P TARGET POPULATION
H Staff nurses working in selected Hospitals of bhopal M.P .
A
S
E ACCESSIBLE POPULATION
Staff nurses working in Index Hospital Indore , M.P.
1

SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
Non-Probability Convenient Sampling Technique

SAMPLE SIZE
30 Staff nurses

P
H PREPARATION OF TOOLS AND DATA COLLECTION
A
S
E PRE-INTERVENTION: O1
Administration of structured knowledge questionnaire to assess
knowledge
2
INTERVENTION
Administration structured teaching programme
P
H POST-INTERVENTION: O2
A Administration Of Structured knowledge Questionnaire to
S assess knowledge
E

3 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Descriptive &Inferential Statistics

Reporting Thesis

Figure No. - 3 Schematic Presentation of Research Design

24
VARIABLES UNDER STUDY

Independent variable:

 Structured teaching programme

Dependent variables:

 Knowledge of staff nurses about ABG analysis.

Demographic variables

Such as age, educational status, year of experience, participation in in service

education programme and experience to special area are treated as demographic

variables.

SETTING OF THE STUDY:

The study was conducted in index medical college and hospital, Indore. The

selection of the setting was done on the basis of:

c) Feasibility of conducting the study

d) Availability of samples

POPULATION:

Target populations for the study were staff nurses working in index medical

college and hospital, Indore, during the period of study.

SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE:

Polit and Hungler (1999) state that a sample consists of the subject of the

population selected to participate in research study. Sampling refers to the process of

25
selecting a portion of population to represent the entire population.

The sample of the study comprises of 30 staff nurses working in index

medical college and hospital. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select

the sample of this study.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF SAMPLE:

Inclusion criteria:

 Staff nurses who have completed Diploma in nursing and midwifery (GNM )
and degree course BSc. Nursing.

 Staff nurses of both sex.

 Staff nurses between 20-45 years of age.

 Staff nurses who are willing to participate in the research study.

Exclusion criteria:

 Staff nurses who are engaged in administrative work such as ward sister,

nursing Supervisor and superintendent.

 Staff nurses who are not willing to participate.

 Staff nurses who are on leave during period of data collection

SELECTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOOL:

The tool is a written device that a researcher uses to collect data (Polit and

Hunglar 1999).

Selection of tool:

A structured questionnaire selected for study. Questionnaire is used to get

exact and complete information from the subject. It was felt that questionnaire would

26
encourage the subjects to give frank information and help in collecting the data from

literate subject.

Development of the tool:

A questionnaire schedule was prepared to assess the knowledge of staff nurses

regarding ABG analysis.

The following steps were carried out in preparing the tool:

 Review of literature

 Preparation of blue print

Review of literature:

Books, journals, newspaper, articles, published and unpublished research

studies and internet search were used to develop the tool.

Preparation of blue print: The blue print of items pertains to the three domains of

learning that is-

❖ Knowledge domain 12(40%) items.

❖ Understanding domain 8(27%) items.

❖ Application domain 10(33%) items.

PREPARATION OF STRUCTURED TEACHING PROGRAMME:

Preparation of first draft of STP: A first draft of STP was developed keeping in

mind the objectives, criterion, checklists, and literature reviewed. The main factors

that were kept in mind while preparing STP were:

 Literacy level of subjects

 Method of teaching adopted

27
  Simplicity of the language

 Relevance of teaching aids

Content validity of the STP

The initial draft of STP was given to seven experts along with the criterion

checklist and to give suggestions on adequacy and relevance of content. The

suggestions given by experts were accepted and ensured the clarity and the validity

of the tool.

Preparation of the final draft of STP:

The final draft of STP was prepared after incorporating the suggestions of

experts

Description of STP:

The STP was titled “ABG analysis ”. It included

f) General objectives

g) Specific objectives

h) Introduction

i) Content organized in four aspects

 ABG sampling aspect

 Acid base balance & acid base balance disorder aspect

 ABG component aspect

 ABG interpretation aspect

j) References

28
DESCRIPTION OF THE TOOL:

The investigator developed a self-structured questionnaire which contained

items under the following section.

SECTION I:

Demographic data consisting of items seeking information about background

data such as age, educational status, year of experience, participation in in-service

education programme and experience to special area.

SECTION II:

Structured questionnaire was prepared on four aspects.

5) ABG introduction aspect

6) ABG sampling technique aspect

7) ABG component aspect

8) ABG interpretation aspect.

It consists of 30 items all of which were scored. The total scores was 30 and

each question contains four answers, out of four answer out of one correct answer was

given a score of ‘one’ and each wrong response a score of ‘zero’.

Validity of the tool:

Content validity of the tool was established by seven experts, comprising of

three physicians, and five nurse educators.

Initially the tool consisted of 30 items on knowledge, understanding and

application domain, where in all the items were agreed upon with the suggestion of

reorganizing the order of questions and modification of some questions. After

29
considering expert suggestion and modification of the tool thereafter the final tool

consists of-

 Demographic data (Background items) : 5 items

 Knowledge component : 30 items on four aspects

RELIABILITY OF TOOL:

Reliability of a research instrument is defined as the extent to which the instrument

yields the same result on repeated measures.

In order to establish reliability of the tool the test retest method was used, the tool was

administered to 10 samples. The reliability co-efficient of the tool was calculated by

using the

Karl Pearson‟s correlation co-efficient formula, the calculated value of „r‟ was 0.80.

The developed tool was found to be highly reliable

PILOT STUDY:

A pilot study is frequently defined as a smaller version of a proposed study

conducted to refine the methodology.

Pilot study is a small preliminary investigation of the same general character

as the main study.

Purposes of pilot study:

3) To evaluate the effectiveness of STP on knowledge about ABG analysis

4) To find out the feasibility of conducting the final study and to determine

the methods of statistical analysis.

30
 The pilot study was conducted in Mayur Hospital Near Bangali Square Circle

Indore for a period of 7 days from 20.07.2017 to 27.07.2017.. The permission to

conduct the study was obtained from Director of the Hospital (Annexure-A and B).

Ten subjects were selected by purposive sampling. The purpose of the study was

explained to each subject and written consent was obtained from them and assured

confidentiality. Pre-test was conducted followed by STP to subjects after a week post

test was conducted to same subjects and collected the data. Data analysis was done

using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the data revealed that this

study is feasible and effective

After the pilot study the tool was found to be feasible, practicable and

acceptable. So on change was found to be necessary in the main study design after the

pilot study. No revisions were made for the major study which was conducted from

12.08.2017 to 20.08.2017 in Index hospital Indore.

PROCEDURE OF DATA COLLECTION:

Data were collected in Index hospital after obtaining permission from

concerned authority (Annexure-A & B) and consent from participants (Annexure-C)

during the specified time for data collection. The pre-test was conducted and STP was

administered to subjects. Staff nurses were selected purposively. STP was conducted

using audio visual aids and lecture cum discussion method. Subjects were took active

participation in asking questions and seeking clarifications. The time taken for STP

was 45 minutes. Post test was conducted on same subjects six days after the

administration of STP, using the same tool as used for the pre-test.

31
DATA ANALYSIS PLAN:

The data obtained were analysed in terms of the objectives of the study, using

descriptive and inferential statistics. The following plan of data analysis was identified

to bring out data in terms of objectives.

Data was analyzed in the following steps

 Data was arranged in master sheet.

 Description of the subject with respect to baseline characteristics was presented in

the terms of frequency and percentage.

 Mean, Standard deviation and mean percentage of knowledge score of staff nurses

was used to determine the effectiveness of structured teaching programme.

 Further statistical significance of the effectiveness of structured teaching

programme was analyzed by using paired„t‟ test.

 Association between the knowledge score and selected baseline characteristics

were analyzed by using fisher‟s exact test or chi square test.