DQ: Discuss three critical thinking skills necessary for evaluating and interpreting primary quantitative research for a DPI Project

DNP 801 Topic 4 DQ 1

DQ Discuss three critical thinking skills necessary for evaluating and interpreting primary quantitative research for a DPI Project

REPLY TO DISCUSSION

Critical thinking is a process that involves evaluating a collection of information from subjective and objective data, communication, and experiences that lead to actions taken to resolve an issue (Papathanasiou et al., 2014). Critical thinking plays a vital role as a DNP learner proposing a quality improvement project as it is essential to establishing a safe, efficient, and positive outcome. It is important for DNP learners to incorporate old nursing interventions and new knowledge as part of the critical thinking process to ultimately obtain a correct plan of interventions and actions. According to Buckley et al. (2020), practice projects should enable the learners to oversee nursing habits and utilize higher critical thinking skills when new processes and interventions. This is important for DNP learners because when proposing a DPI project, students should consider the current practice, new knowledge, and incorporate critical thinking to ultimately implement a process that will produce positive outcomes.

Three important components of critical thinking that are necessary for evaluating and interpreting primary quantitative research include analyzing the data, applying the intervention, evaluating the outcome (Papathanasiou et al., 2014). Like the nursing process, when examining studies, it is important for the DNP learner to analyze the data to compare and validate the practice site’s issue. After a thorough analysis of the study, the DNP learner would incorporate the information and transform it into an action or implementation in hopes to correct the issue and provide outcomes. Finally, evaluating the outcomes and data plays an important role in ultimately validating the effectiveness of the project.

References:

Buckley, K. M., Idzik, S., Bingham, D., Windemuth, B., & Bindon, S. L. (2020). Structuring doctor of nursing practice project courses to facilitate success and ensure rigor. Journal of Professional Nursing, 36(4), 206–211.

https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2019.12.001

Papathanasiou, I. V., Kleisiaris, C. F., Fradelos, E. C., Kakou, K., & Kourkouta, L. (2014). Critical thinking: the development of an essential skill for nursing students. Acta informatica medica : AIM : journal of the Society for Medical Informatics of Bosnia & Herzegovina : casopis Drustva za medicinsku informatiku BiH, 22(4), 283–286. https://doi.org/10.5455/aim.2014.22.283-286

Critical thinking has evolved the nursing profession in establishing high measures for patient safety and outcomes. I was discussing

DQ Discuss three critical thinking skills necessary for evaluating and interpreting primary quantitative research for a DPI Project

the purpose of a DPI project with a colleague who is the director of a boys & girls club for low-income families. It amazed me that he utilizes the same concept in critical thinking to analyze data, improve processes and make changes for the children and families. The success of critical thinking assists in life-long decision making and is used amongst many departments and areas. Quantitative research explores numeric values that generates knowledge and creates understanding (Quantitative and qualitative research. What is quantitative research? n.d.). The components of critical thinking you mentioned are crucial. A study cannot be validated without analysis, application and evaluation.

Quantitative and qualitative research: What is quantitative research? Subject and Course Guides. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2022, from https://libguides.uta.edu/quantitative_and_qualitative_research/quant

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Good post, thank you for reinforcing exactly what a Direct Practice Improvement Project, thus one takes the research and implements it into practice to solve for a clinical concern. Take care, Dr. Etheridge

The DPI Project is supported by quantitative information through providing data and analysis to address the issue being addressed. For example, when researching articles for the project, a critical thinker wants to know how to improve a situation, process, workflow and seeks out research to support improvement. Quantitative data answers questions to critical thinking, providing answers to how many? Who was involved? What are the outcomes? How much did it cost? Collection of data includes questionnaires, pre, and post-test, observation, review of databases, and or collecting clinical data. (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2015)

Critical thinking skills are necessary for evaluating and interpreting data to include being prudent, honest in facing personal biases, diligent when seeking data. (Reilly, 2017). When researching the DPI, it is imperative to understand it’s a process using specific information, questioning processes in a disciplined manner. (Reilly, 2017). In developing PICOT-D, critical thinking skills used first is being curious about current processes surrounding your project. Open discussions with teammates, managers, and supervisors to see where there is a need. used to determine. Another process of critical thinking is seeking and analyzing data, what does it say? Does it support the gap you are trying to change or implement? Being aware, open, and honest when facing personal biases is necessary for providing a respectful safe environment in working with colleagues. (Reilly, 2017).

I have a meeting scheduled with my preceptor (assigned by my mentor)- I will be making an informal presentation regarding DPI Project and eliciting assistance with data and other information the organization has regarding a project, where they have a gap, what are current policies/plan, what do we want to achieve. How can we make this project beneficial to me, the department, the organization, and the members? This will provide an opportunity for me to provide information, gather information, listen ask and answer questions. Using critical thinking, I need to provide answers to the department head of “what is in it for her”. (Reilly). Critical thinking and emotional intelligence are required tools when winning the support of stakeholders.

Current Plan for DPI project:

Project Site, no change

Project: Focus: Health Equity, Social Determinants of Health based on NEMT/transportation.

Population: Medicaid members of the health plan. Demographics may be more focused. (Ongoing discussion)

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Evaluation methods. (2015)

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/communityengagement/pce_program_methods.html

Reilly, S., & Williams, D. (2017). Critical thinking. Healthcare Purchasing News, 41(8), 32–35.

https://web-s-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=d9141b0c-a28f-4f6f-b1ce-422464912783%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=124493770&db=bth

Replies

I am excited to see you already have your project moving forward so well in the planning stage. It seems I am still pulling a lot of research for presentation to my clinical site, along with costs and possible barriers. Since my project site is part of a larger organization, we have several Tribal Health partners who share our systems, meaning I have to connect with them all for implantation. This is where critical thinking is such a massive part of our DPI. We have to look at the entire project critically and foresee problems or barriers that may impact the solution we are trying for. An essential part of critical thinking is evaluation. (Saputra et al., 2019) Some people only see evaluation as something you do at the end of a project. However, the evaluation must start at the beginning of the planning stage. We evaluate the needs, the process in place, the possibility of change, and so much more.

References

Saputra, M., Joyoatmojo, S., Wardani, D., & Sangka, K. (2019). Developing critical-thinking skills through the collaboration of jigsaw model with problem-based learning model. International Journal of Instruction, 12(1), 1077–1094. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2019.12169a

Thanks. I’m hoping/praying and having faith it is moving in the right direction. As I leaned in the “Friday with Dr. Fetter”- many obstacles can change course.

Fortunately, our professor, Dr. Etheridge (highly recommended by Dr. Fetter)is a guru with helping students get their PICOT questions moving in the right direction.

Back to the post, I agree with your statement, “critical thinking is such a massive part of our DPI. We have to “look at the entire project critically and foresee problems or barriers that may impact the solution”. this is true. Critical thinking through asking the questions, planning for challenges. Getting diverse ideas and opinions. Analyzing data and data collection play an important role, as well as literature and not getting ahead of the evidence.

Nice post. It is so important to do what you are doing early with your clinical site. You are meeting with them to ensure your DNP DPI Project will meet the needs of a clinical concern that they have with their patient population. This meeting ensures that all decision-makers and stakeholders have an opportunity to be aware and provide insight and direction on your project. Please ensure you take good notes and include this meeting in your final disertation (under Background for the project….). Good stuff, Dr. Etheridge

Critical thinking is formed when knowledge melds with experience. It is a foundational skill essential for the nursing profession, at all levels, especially with advanced degrees (Midilli & Altas, 2020). It is such an essential skill, that regulatory academic bodies in nursing, such as The National League for Nursing (NLN) and American Association of Colleges in Nursing (AACN) have made this a component for program evaluation (Zhang & Chen, 2021). It is the ability to decode, decipher and take action in various situations, even if the situation is a new experience. A nurse can draw on prior experience and knowledge to meet the needs of a patient by developing critical thinking skills. Developing critical thinking is an acquired skill that matures over time. This skill evolves and is honed, but has no definitive ending. It is an indispensable lifelong skill a nurse must develop and refine with time.

Considering its importance, as a DNP learner, critical thinking is a necessary skill. Working on the DPI, research needs to be analyzed, synthesized, and applied to a practice problem. Applying a new intervention to the practice problem requires the learner to critically examine the problem and potential solutions. Reviewing existing research and considering possible solutions is an example of how critical thinking can help a DNP student.

Quantitative data is used to analyze the effectiveness of the intervention during the DPI project. From economics to sociology, all areas of research rely on data to understand cause and effect. Quantitative data measures variables or the degree of change. With this measurement, the researchers know if the intervention was effective or not. For research to be accurate, critical thinking skills must be employed. The research question must be clear, concise and pose a logic solution for the problem, addressing the population to be studied and the reason for being studied (Zaccagnini & Pechacek, 2021). Secondly, data collecting must be true to the research problem and proposed intervention. For the research to be accurate, the researcher must be cautious about bias that can enter research. Lastly, part of critical thinking involves reflection (The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2019). Reflecting on the data and research findings helps the writer to reach conclusions and enter into a discussion on findings.

References

Midilli, T. S. & Altas, G. (2020). The relationship between critical thinking disposition and problem solving skills in nurses. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 13 (3), 1890-1897.

The Foundation for Critical Thinking. (2019). Nursing and Health Care. Retrieved on March 11, 2022 from https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/nursing-and-health-care/801

Zaccagnini, M. E., & Pechacek, J. M. (2021). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (4th ed.). Jones and Bartlett Learning. ISBN-13: 97811284079708

Zhang, J. & Chen, B. (2021). The effect of cooperative learning on critical thinking of nursing students in clinical practicum: A quasi-experimental study. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37 (1), 177-183.

In almost all professions, there is the need to think critically. It’s about taking a situation, looking at it, and determining the needs of that situation. Critical thinking is the process of using what you have learned and experienced then applying it to that situation. (Reilly & Williams, 2017) For many, this can be very simple, while others take a little longer to develop the ability. Nonetheless, it is an essential part of healthcare and important skill.

For the DPI project, critical thinking will be imperative. Articles will need to be analyzed, processes researched for effectiveness, and implementation will be critically thought out for the desired outcome. It is also necessary to think out the need for the project that is being proposed. The project should be realistic and have a basis for implementation. As a learner, I want to implement a process that can be successful. Therefore, I need to pull on my knowledge of the organization and the process that needs improvement to work out a strategy that can reach that success.

When evaluating primary research through critical thinking, three essential skills are analysis, evaluation, and deduction. When reviewing primary research, it is necessary to analyze the provided information for accuracy, relevance, possible bias, and data collected. Evaluation of the information relates to taking that data or information and making decisions based on it. The deduction part of critical thinking is taking that information and deciding if it is sufficient and credible enough for you to make that decision. (Saputra et al., 2019) Evaluating articles can be a complicated task but bringing in a critical thinking process to is can make it so much easier.

References

Reilly, S., & Williams, D. (2017). Critical Thinking. Healthcare Purchasing News, 41(8), 32–35. https://doi.org/web-s-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=b6dc1c47-6c14-4ab9-9fd3-bc3cfa133f32%40redis