Importance of Structured Open-Ended Questions

read the following paper from my college and response in one or more of the following ways:

Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence, or research.

Share an insight from having read the below postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.

Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom and/or from your own research in the Montante library.

Cite a minimum of three credible sources

According to Nieswiadomy and Bailey (2018), mixed method research allows researchers to use all the quantitative and qualitative data-gathering and analyzing methods available. This allows for stronger research as it overcomes weakness of a single design or complements the strengths of a single design. Additionally, Nieswiadomy and Bailey (2018) mention how mixed method research can be especially influential in health and health outcomes as it allows for a practical approach to solving complex problems that are common in nursing and healthcare. While conducting my research on breastfeeding and how nurses can implement practice changes to improve breastfeeding duration and exclusivity, I read many mixed methods studies.

One mixed method study I reviewed and included in my literature framework was titled “Using Social Media for Breastfeeding Support”. The objective of this study was to investigate variables that lead to sustained, exclusive breastfeeding to six months for breastfeeding women who follow social media breastfeeding support groups (SMBSGs) (Wilson, 2020). The mixed method design in this study allowed the researcher to explore relationships among social support and modifiable risk factors such as breastfeeding confidence, knowledge, and attitude as predictors of sustained breastfeeding to 6 months postpartum. This method allowed the researcher to measure what they intended to. Participants in this study completed surveys at both 1 month and 6 months postpartum. The data on the survey regarded individual characteristics and experiences; competing situation demands; breastfeeding social support; and breastfeeding confidence, knowledge, and attitude. The following scales were used to collect data: the Perceived Work Demand Scale; the Perceived Family Demand Scale; the Perceived Health-Related Social Support From Facebook Friends Measure; and the Breastfeeding Confidence, Knowledge and Attitudes Measure. The 6-month survey was identical to the 1-month survey except for the addition of a qualitative question where women were asked to briefly describe their breastfeeding journey. These surveys allowed for clear collection of information which allowed for the researcher to be able to report clear findings. With regards to the question asking for participants to describe their experiences, the researcher was able to look for commonalities and contrasts and scope out emerging themes, which also helped to provide clear, concise, and usable results.

Although the use of the very open-ended question of asking participants to “describe their breastfeeding journey” really allowed participants to share their feelings and thoughts regarding what they have gone through while breastfeeding, if I was the researcher, I would have made this question more structured while still keeping it open ended. For example, many participants in the study described positive and negative breastfeeding experiences as well as statements related to support or returning to work. If I was the researcher of this study, I would make this more focused by maybe asking participants to in one area describe their positive experience with breastfeeding, in another describe any negative feelings or experiences that were noted. In another separate area I would encourage them to describe their experiences with relation to employment. This would just help to keep data more focused and concise while remaining open ended. However, this could possibly change the depth and true feelings or experiences that would be shared if the question were to remain as open ended as it was in this study. Additionally, it is important to note that without this study I may not know to ask specifically about something such as employment.

References

Nieswiadomy, R.M., & Bailey, C. (2018). Foundations of nursing research (7th ed.). Pearson.

Wilson, J.C. (2020). Using social media for breastfeeding support. Nursing for Women’s Health, 24(5): 332-343.