Studying an entire population would not only be very costly but also time-consuming and not practical as far as collecting and analyzing the data, that is why selecting a sample representative of the population being studied is essential
Comment #1
Studying an entire population would not only be very costly but also time-consuming and not practical as far as collecting and analyzing the data, that is why selecting a sample representative of the population being studied is essential. Sampling theory determines the most effective way to select a sample that accurately represents such population (Grove, Gray, & Burns, 2015). The population is the group of individuals being studied, such as premature neonates. The sampling criteria is a list of characteristics that refine the population either to include (inclusive sampling criteria) or exclude (exclusive sampling criteria) elements. An example of inclusive sampling criteria could be premature neonates born between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation with a birth weight between 1500 grams and 2500 grams. The target population is the population that meets the sampling criteria. The elements, or in this case the participants or subjects, in the study are each neonate participating in the study. A sample must be carefully selected in order to accurately represent the entire population being studied in order for the study findings to have significance. The process of applying the findings of a specific study to the entire population is known as generalization (Grove, Gray, & Burns, 2015). In the case of premature newborns and application of skin-to-skin contact to improve physiological parameters, if study results find skin-to-skin contact with the parent to be beneficial, then these findings can be generalized to the entire premature babies population and put this practice in application to achieve better outcomes. Before applying the findings to an entire population,
References
Grove, S.K., Gray, J. R., & Burns, N. (2015). Understanding nursing research (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Comment #2
Sampling theory is the random or nonrandom selection of a group of individuals from within a population to estimate results for the whole population (Groves, Burns, and Grey. 2015). The method of applying the findings of a specific study to the entire population is known as generalization (Polit & Beck, 2010). Generalization is a method of reasoning that involves developing general conclusions from a specific finding. The process used in generalization applies to nursing research and evidence-based practice. An example would be selecting a group of patients who have central line catheters in place, identifying the problem which could be central line associated blood stream infections, a plan is developed to help reduce the infection rate. With the data gathered the implemented nursing process is evaluated and outcomes are determined to establish standardized practice (Groves, Burns, and Grey. 2015).
References
Grove, S.K., Gray, J. R., & Burns, N. (2015). Understanding nursing research (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2010). Generalization in quantitative and qualitative research: Myths and strategies. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47(11),1451-1458. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2010.06.004