In regard to the article, “Lessons Learned from 5 Women as They Transition Into Assisted Living” by Saunders and Heliker, answer the following:

Reference: Geriatric Nursing, 2008; 29:369-375

What are the qualifications of the author(s) to do this study?

Does the abstract:

i.      clearly present the main points of the article?

ii.      include the research question?  If so, what is it?

iii.      provide a thorough overview of the article?

What is the statement of purpose?

What is the significance of the problem?

How recent are the references?

Is the previous research presented in the Literature Review section well summarized?

How does the research presented in the Literature Review section relate to the current study?

What, if any assumptions underlie this study?

Are the assumptions reasonable?

Are terms and concepts clearly defined?

Were meaningful terms or concepts overlooked?
What general research design do you think is used in this study?

Is the design appropriate to address the research question / statement?

If the research included a population and/or sample, what are they?

Were there inclusion or exclusion criteria?  If so what were they?

If there was a sample, what was the sampling method used?

Are the methods used (questionnaire development, interviews, data analysis techniques, etc.) appropriate for the research question?

Are the results presented clearly and fully?

Where tables or graphs used and were they appropriate for the data?

12.  Conclusions and Discussion

a.       What are the conclusions?

b.      Are all the conclusions clearly stated?

c.       If appropriate, is internal validity discussed?

d.      If appropriate, is external validity discussed?

e.       Are the results discussed thoroughly and completely?

f.       Are potential implications of the results identified and discussed?

g.      Are the stated potential implications logical and meaningful?

h.      Are the study limitations identified and discussed?

i.        Were any limitations overlooked?

j.        What specific suggestions for further research were made?

k.      Are the suggestions meaningful and relevant?

l.        Should additional suggestions have been made?

ANSWER

Critical Review of “Lessons Learned from 5 Women as They Transition Into Assisted Living” by Saunders and Heliker

Introduction

The article titled “Lessons Learned from 5 Women as They Transition Into Assisted Living” by Saunders and Heliker, published in Geriatric Nursing in 2008, explores the experiences of five women during their transition into assisted living. In this critical review, we will assess various aspects of the article, including the qualifications of the authors, the clarity of the abstract, the statement of purpose, significance of the problem, relevance of the literature review, research design, methods, results, conclusions, and suggestions for further research.

1. Qualifications of the Authors:
The qualifications of the authors, Saunders and Heliker, are not explicitly mentioned in the article. However, the article is published in a reputable geriatric nursing journal, suggesting that the authors likely have expertise in the field.

2. Abstract:
i. The abstract clearly presents the main points of the article, focusing on the experiences of five women during their transition to assisted living.
ii. The research question is not explicitly stated in the abstract.
iii. The abstract provides a brief but thorough overview of the article’s content.

3. Statement of Purpose:
The statement of purpose is to explore the experiences and challenges faced by five women as they transition into assisted living.

4. Significance of the Problem:
The significance of the problem lies in understanding the experiences of older adults during the transition to assisted living, which can inform the development of more effective support systems for this population.

5. Recency of References:
The article does not explicitly mention the recency of the references used.

6. Literature Review:
The previous research presented in the literature review is well summarized and provides context for the current study. It discusses relevant literature on aging, transitions, and assisted living.

7. Relationship to Current Study:
The literature review effectively establishes the background and context for the current study, highlighting the need for further research on the experiences of older adults during transitions.

8. Assumptions:
The article does not explicitly state its underlying assumptions. However, it can be assumed that the study assumes that the experiences of the five women are representative of a broader population.

9. Clarity of Terms and Concepts:
Most terms and concepts are clearly defined within the context of the article. However, some terms related to specific psychological or emotional experiences could benefit from further clarification.

10. Research Design:
The article utilizes a qualitative research design to explore the experiences of the five women during their transition to assisted living. This design is appropriate for the research question.

11. Population and Sampling:
The study focuses on five women as participants, and the article does not mention specific inclusion or exclusion criteria. The sampling method is not explicitly stated.

12. Methods:
The methods used, including interviews, are appropriate for the research question, as they allow for in-depth exploration of the participants’ experiences.

13. Results:
The results are presented clearly, with narrative descriptions of the five women’s experiences. Tables or graphs are not used.

14. Conclusions and Discussion:
a. The conclusions primarily summarize the experiences of the five women during their transition.
b. The conclusions are clear and align with the study’s findings.
c. Internal validity is not explicitly discussed.
d. External validity is not discussed.
e. The results are discussed thoroughly.
f. Potential implications of the results are identified and discussed.
g. The potential implications are logical and meaningful.
h. Study limitations are not explicitly discussed.
i. Some limitations may have been overlooked.
j. Suggestions for further research include exploring the experiences of a larger and more diverse sample.
k. The suggestions for further research are meaningful and relevant.
l. Additional suggestions for research could have been made, such as examining the role of family support during transitions.

Conclusion

“Lessons Learned from 5 Women as They Transition Into Assisted Living” by Saunders and Heliker offers valuable insights into the experiences of older adults during the transition to assisted living. While the study has strengths, including a qualitative approach and meaningful findings, it could benefit from further discussion of limitations and a more extensive exploration of potential future research directions.