CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.3 Population and sample
Population refers to the aggregate of research subjects conforming to a set of specifications (Polit & Beck, 2004). The research population included four different research populations: all the participants that use the clinical skills laboratory (n=196), all clinical facilitators (n = 4), all the clinical skills laboratory equipment and all the clinical skills laboratory usage records.
Sample refers to a subset of a population (Polit & Beck, 2004). It more practical and less costly to collect data from a sample rather than an entire population. Details of the research sampling used is discussed below.
3.3.1 Study 1: Quantitative survey for students (population and sampling)
Quantitative research refers to the investigation of phenomena that lend themselves to precise measurement and quantification (Polit & Beck, 2004). Polit and Beck (2004) add that evidence is gathered according to a plan, using formal instruments to collect
45 needed information. The population used represents the users of the clinical skills laboratory and has enough power to measure phenomena. For this process evaluation, the population included all students who may use the clinical laboratory, namely Pupil Enrolled Nurse (PEN) nurses and Bridging nurses (n = 84 + 112 =196).
For the purpose of this study, a purposive sample of all PEN 1 and PEN 2 students (n = 112) were selected to collect data from (n = 112/196, 57%). The population for the descriptive quantitative survey sample therefore comprised all the PEN 1 students (n=60) who used the clinical skills laboratory and the PEN 2 students (n=52); a total of 112 students. These students who started their training in March-June 2011 were selected due to the fact that they made the most use of the clinical skills laboratory. This type of sampling is based on the researchers’ decision in which the subjects that are selected purposively are judged to be typical of the population or particularly knowledgeable of the issues under study (Polit & Beck, 2004). Polit and Beck (2004) state that this type of sampling can be very advantageous and can be used in a needs assessment. It is with that intention that this type of sampling method was used.
Students that did not make use of the clinical skills laboratory throughout the year were not selected to participate in the research project, which included the third year nursing students, fourth year nursing students and post basic nursing students. There was no sample group due to the small number of students included in the research.
46 Participation was voluntary and not all students chose to participate in the research project.
The PEN 1 students (n=60) are students who are enrolled in their first year of a basic course to obtain a certificate. The basic nursing program runs over a two year period.
Students are considered PEN 1 when they are in the first year of this program. They attend theory blocks and four practical blocks prior to entrance into the clinical areas.
During the practical block the students are orientated to basic procedures, namely, social hand wash, therapeutic environment, bed-making, patient identification and safe handling of the patient. They are given time to practise these procedures and are assessed on these if there is adequate time, so that they can perform these tasks in the clinical area. This prepares the students for placement in their respective hospitals.
These students are also taken to the surrounding hospitals for a day during their four week practical blocks, where they are orientated and supervised by the clinical facilitators. This gives the students a chance to view the actual setting of the hospital and relate it back to the clinical skills laboratory where demonstrations and assessments take place. It also gives the students a chance to ask questions and to participate in a feedback session to clarify all confusion.
The PEN 2 students (n=52) are students who are enrolled in their second year in basic nursing program that runs over a two year period to obtain a certificate. They attend
47 two theory blocks before they enter into the clinical area where tasks are demonstrated, namely, social hand wash, aseptic hand wash, administration of medication, admission of a patient and receiving of a theatre patient. The PEN 2 students are also given time to practise these tasks and are assessed on them if there is adequate time within the two weeks. Since the PEN 2 students had already gained experience in the clinical setting, more difficult skills are demonstrated to them so that they will be able to cope with what is expected of them at their level in training.
3.3.2 Study 2: Semi-Structured interviews with clinical facilitators (population and sampling)
Qualitative data refers to data from the investigation of phenomena, typically in an in- depth and holistic fashion through the collection of narrative material using a flexible research (Polit & Beck, 2004). The population is usually smaller and is purposively selected. A smaller number of participants are required for qualitative research which is subjective, meaning that it looks at human realities rather than concrete realities of subjects (Erlingsson & Brysiewicz, 2011).
48 According to Erlinsson and Brysiewics (2011) the participants for qualitative research are purposively saught who: have experience of the phenomena under investigation and who can answer the research question. The total population for the sub study was used which is all four clinical facilitators whom were employed by the Private Nursing School at the time to work in the clinical skills laboratory. They also had experience of working in the clinical skills laboratory and would be able answer the research question.
3.3.3 Study 3: A quantitative audit using a check-list to rate the quality and availability of the equipment (population and sampling)
All the pieces of equipment found in the clinical skills laboratory (n = 104) were included in the audit
3.3.4 Study 4: A quantitative audit using a spreadsheet to record the usage (population and sampling)
A six month period was purposively selected to evaluate the average usage of the clinical skills laboratory using records that were kept by the Private Nursing School. In
49 addition, only the two groups (PEN1 and PEN2) were purposively selected for this period to maintain congruency.