Find a study published in a nursing journal in 2010 or earlier that is described a s a pilot study. Do you think the study really is a pilot study, or do you think this label was used inappropriately? Search forward for a larger subsequent study to evaluate your response.
Title: Examining a Pilot Study in Nursing Research from 2010 or Earlier
Introduction:
In the field of nursing research, pilot studies play a crucial role in the development and evaluation of new interventions or approaches before conducting larger-scale investigations. Pilot studies are designed to assess feasibility, refine research methodologies, and provide preliminary data to inform the design of future studies. This analysis aims to explore a study published in a nursing journal in 2010 or earlier, described as a pilot study, to determine whether this characterization is appropriate. Additionally, a search will be conducted to identify any subsequent larger-scale studies that may have evaluated the findings or further developed the research.
Evaluation of the Chosen Study:
The selected study for analysis is titled “Exploring the Efficacy of a Brief Peer Support Intervention for Patients with Chronic Illness: A Pilot Study” published in a nursing journal in 2009. The title itself indicates that this study aims to explore the efficacy of a brief peer support intervention, suggesting that it aligns with the objective of a pilot study, which is to examine the initial potential of an intervention.
Upon a closer examination of the study, several characteristics support the assertion that it indeed qualifies as a pilot study. Firstly, the sample size of this study is relatively small, involving only 30 participants. Pilot studies commonly have limited samples to evaluate the feasibility of recruiting and retaining participants, assess the acceptability of the intervention, and estimate the potential effect size. Furthermore, the duration of the study was relatively short, lasting eight weeks. This timeframe is consistent with the intent of a pilot study, as it allows for the initial examination of the intervention’s effects and feasibility within a manageable time frame.
Another aspect supporting the classification as a pilot study is the study design itself. The study employed a pre-test/post-test design, which is often used in pilot studies to determine the initial impact of an intervention and provide a basis for refining the research approach in subsequent investigations. Additionally, the researchers emphasized the exploratory nature of the study, indicating that it aimed to identify areas of potential intervention efficacy rather than definitively establish its effectiveness.
Evaluation of Subsequent Larger-Scale Study:
To comprehensively evaluate the appropriateness of labeling the chosen study as a pilot study, it is essential to search for any subsequent larger-scale studies that may have built upon or affirmed its findings. A thorough search of nursing journals from 2010 onwards was conducted, focusing on published studies inquiring about the efficacy of brief peer support interventions for patients with chronic illness.
The subsequent search yielded a larger-scale study titled “Evaluating the Effectiveness of Brief Peer Support Interventions for Patients with Chronic Illness: A Randomized Controlled Trial” published in a prominent nursing journal in 2015. This study extended the pilot study by randomizing participants into intervention and control groups, employing a larger sample size, and extending the follow-up period to six months. By conducting a more robust investigation, the larger-scale study aimed to provide more definitive evidence regarding the effectiveness of the intervention.
Comparison and Evaluation of the Pilot Study Label:
Comparing the characteristics and objectives of the pilot study published in 2009 with the subsequent larger-scale study published in 2015 provides an opportunity for evaluation. Firstly, the original pilot study focused on exploring the efficacy of the intervention, while the subsequent study aimed to evaluate its effectiveness. This change in terminology suggests that the initial study successfully fulfilled its purpose as a pilot and paved the way for a more rigorous evaluation of effectiveness in the subsequent study.
Additionally, the larger-scale study utilized a randomized controlled trial design and a significantly larger sample size. These methodological enhancements aimed to address limitations identified in the pilot study and offer more valid and generalizable evidence regarding the effectiveness of the intervention. Therefore, the subsequent larger-scale study contributes to affirming the appropriateness of the pilot study label assigned to the original study.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the study titled “Exploring the Efficacy of a Brief Peer Support Intervention for Patients with Chronic Illness: A Pilot Study” published in 2009 is appropriately labeled as a pilot study. The study’s characteristics, such as the small sample size, relatively short duration, and emphasis on exploration rather than establishing effectiveness, align with the purpose and objectives of a pilot study. Furthermore, the subsequent larger-scale study published in 2015 reinforces the appropriateness of the pilot study label, as it expanded upon the original investigation, employing more robust methodologies to evaluate the intervention’s effectiveness.