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Introduction
The information gathered in research is useful in developing of a grounded theory while the right method of research leads to understanding of the phenomenology of the study. In order to analyze a research effectively, there is need to follow certain guidelines that are useful in coming up with the right conclusion from the research (David, 2009).
This paper provides a critique of the study that was conducted in a group of traditional birth attendants in one of the communities in Guatemala. Childbearing continues to become a problem in developing countries with high rates of infant mortality and morbidity. In addition, it is estimated that either inexperienced family members or TBAs conduct at least 95% of all births in rural areas in developing countries. In Guatemala, professional birth attendants are trusted with the responsibility of assisting in child bearing. A research was conducted by professional investigator regarding the beliefs of these women towards prenatal practice and how they regard the practice as effective. The report of the research needs to be critiqued to know the level of validity of the findings. This paper explains the methods that were used to critique the report. It explains the validity of their beliefs and rituals in the practice of prenatal care and how these beliefs and rituals can be helpful in adding knowledge to the practice of nursing. It provides a critique of ethnographic techniques used in understanding the practices of Mayan TBAs.
Method
The use of ethnographic techniques ensured that in-depth information was gathered regarding the beliefs and behaviors of people in natural settings. Traditional methods with participant observation ensured that observation and participation was used in exploring the world of traditional birth attendants. Participation allowed interaction between members of the community and the researchers. Observation ensured that the researchers visited the homes of pregnant women and determined the resources that were available for assisting the women during birth.
Observation in the homes of comadronas enabled the researchers identify the resources that were being used to assist women during birth and also artifacts and rocks that were placed in certain places to show they were sacred. Ethnographic research ensured that the researchers immersed themselves into the community under study and interacted with the comadronas and pregnant women to develop familiarity with lifeways of the members of the community.
By using a principal investigator (PI) with an experience of more than 25 years and who had been working with community birth attendants and health promoters in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala the research gave concrete information on its findings. This ensured that the relevant areas of study were focused on by interviewing the right comadronas, the right materials were used during the interviews and confidence of the results was developed.
The use of audio tapes and field notes that were used by the PI provided reference sources for the observations and responses from the comadronas, physical artifacts and environment in which midwifery was conducted. However, this research lacked a clear and comprehensive description of the location, samples intensity and the competitiveness of the researcher in collecting data. It is also hard to ascertain that the qualitative attitudes and beliefs from the TBAs are obtained from traditional birth attendants who have experienced the effects of those beliefs and know the rituals that women undergo during delivery (Patricia, 2008).
Setting and Sample
The study aims at obtaining information from traditional birth attendants in a local community where poverty was high and there were high chances of traditional midwifery. As a result, the study was focused on San Lucas Toliman in Guatemala that was composed of 82% indigenous inhabitant Mayans. The research was simplified since almost all births in the Mayan community are attended by TBAs. The practicing comadronas in these communities provided the right participants during the research. This sample size leaves out representative aspect of a research. This left out the aspect of broad sampling is by not including a range of perspectives and opinions (Irvin , S.2006).
Forty comadronas were interviewed to ensure the possibility of correlating their responses. The use of probes ensured that data concerning symbols, rituals as well as transformational processes and the beliefs of the comadonas were determined. The use of transcription enabled the information from the research to be converted from local languages to English and Spanish. This ensured the information could be shared with health promoters and other participants to ensure accuracy of the research.
Data analysis
Transcriptions of individual behaviors and notes were conducted; rocks and amulets were examined to ensure validity and reliability of the findings of the research. Reliability of the findings was also ensured by describing interpersonal and cultural settings and exploration of birth cultures. Notes and codes developed from the research were reviewed and discussed to ensure a consensus was reached. The results from these codes provided information that enabled categorizing the findings of the beliefs of the comadronas.
Evaluation method involved the determination of plausibility, credibility, and relevance.
Plausibility was accomplished by examining the results of the research based on the findings from other sources of literature and the findings of the local members of the community. Sharing of the findings of the analysis with selected participants and health promoters ensured that credibility and respondent validation was achieved.
A review of the draft document and verbal confirmation of accurate representation was done by health promoters and two comadronas that were able to read Spanish. In order to show the validity of the findings, they were read to the local women in the community who showed their agreement with the results.
During subsequent visit to San Lucas Toliman, the themes of the research were shared with the local people and the PI to prove that the results showed the actual experiences of the comadronas. The use of Longitudinal descriptive design left issue of bias not fully addressed in the report.
During qualitative research, the major methods used in data collection are questionnaires, interviews, and observation. However, it is necessary to use the right method based on a situation of a qualitative research. For instance, it is not logical to use observation in recording responses regarding patients’ thoughts towards a certain treatment (Carmel et al, 2010). The PI and the nurse researcher need to ensure that they record the attitudes and beliefs of mothers that have been assisted during delivery by TBAs.
The study ensured that the relationship between the researcher and participants was considered by immersion into the community for at least 25 years. In addition, the results of the findings were read to the comadronas and the local people to confirm their approval of the findings of the study. This ensured that the data was not only valid, but also consistent with the aims of the research.
In conclusion, I would affirm that this research was carried following many aspects required in a quality research. Its methodology was good its lack of full address on bias and proper sample representation.
References
Carmel et al. (2010). Canadian Essentials of Nursing Research. London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
David, S. (2009). Doing Qualitative Research. NY: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Irvin , S. (2006). Interviewing As Qualitative Research: A Guide for Researchers in Education And the Social Sciences. London: Teachers College Press.
Patricia, L. &. (2008). Qualitative Research Proposals and Reports: A Guide. NY: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
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