Study reliability represents test results that are repeatable and reproducible. If you conduct the same study under the same conditions but with a different group of participants, you should get the same results. This will confirm the results obtained during the study and guarantee the effectiveness of the decisions made. However, the value of research is determined not only by its reliability. An indicator such as the validity of the research design determines its overall usefulness and does not enhance the reliability of the results. Validity is how well the research method and its results correspond to the tasks set. High validity is characterized by a correctly selected research method that correctly identifies, measures and interprets the object under study.
The reliability retest method involves repeating the same study with the same composition of participants and using the same techniques for two different periods of time. This method is based on the assumption that there will be no significant differences in responses. The reliability factor, in this case, is measured by the correlation between the scores obtained by the same participant in two consecutive studies (Pressbooks, n.d.). The shorter the time interval, the higher the correlation value and vice versa. A study is reliable if the scores obtained on the first test are more or less equal to those obtained on the second test. A safety factor is considered significant if it is greater than or equal to 0.7 on a scale from 0 to 1.
This method of assessing reliability is best suited when the research is carried out in the form of questionnaires or questionnaires. It should be emphasized that it was this approach that was chosen as the basis for future research. The reliability assessment process in this study includes the following steps. First, a group of participants will be formed to whom the questionnaire will be sent. Second, after a certain period of time, the same questionnaire will be sent to them. The final stage – the results of the two studies will be compared to confirm or disprove the hypotheses put forward.
Then, it should be noted that validity is an important aspect of research as it helps establish the validity and usefulness of the results obtained. In order to determine the validity of a research method, it must be compared with some ideal independent measure or criterion. In this study, internal validity will be ensured as follows (Pressbooks, n.d.). All necessary efforts will be made to ensure that the research method was created based on the external characteristics of the research object. Each question in the study will be scrutinized and modified until the researcher is satisfied that it is an accurate measure of the desired parameter. The assessment of validity here will be based on the subjective perception of the researcher.
After the background for ensuring the reliability and validity of the study is given, it seems reasonable to turn to the exploration of crucial practical aspects of data collection. The setting of the research will be founded on the online platforms, as well as cover a considerable number of nurses within the state-wide scope. They will be contacted remotely and will be informed about the essentials of the research. Given the chosen state-wide approach, the described setting would be a good option to save the available time and financial resources.
No issues regarding data organization or storage are expected because the questionnaires for the nurses will be sent via Google Forms. The latter platform provides one with the great opportunity to store data conveniently, as well as to sort it accordingly. This technology has proved its usability and fits the purposes of the future research. It should be noticed that the discussed necessity of ensuring validity implies that each question – as well as the intervention itself – will be founded on appropriate and reliable investigation within the theme of stress reduction in nursing.
The literature review showed that the scholarly dimension offers a plethora of important findings in this vein (Baye et al., 2020; Botha et al., 2015; Lin et al., 2019; Pahlavanzadeh et al., 2016; Poulsen et al., 2015; Sarafis et al., 2016). Moreover, several professionals involved in the sphere will be asked to review the overall project design and give some recommendations.
As stated above, there will be three stages that will be a basis for the reliability of the study. Previously, it was stated that the primary limitation of the investigations on the topic lies within their short timelines and a small number of contacted facilities around the state. Hence, it will be important to extend the common timelines of the research (in comparison to similar ones). It is expected that the group of participants will be formed and get the questionnaires during a three-month period. Second, the identical questionnaires (maybe with some additional specifying questions) will be sent after seven months. Third, the obtained data sets will be analyzed and interpreted within a month.
References
Baye, Y., Demeke, T., Birhan, N., Semahegn, A., & Birhanu, S. (2020). Nurses’ work-related stress and associated factors in governmental hospitals in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. Plos One, 15(8), 1-12. Web.
Botha, E., Gwin, T., & Purpora, C. (2015). The effectiveness of mindfulness based programs in reducing stress experienced by nurses in adult hospital settings: A systematic review of quantitative evidence protocol. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 13(10), 21–29. Web.
Lin, L., He, G., Yan, J., Gu, C., & Xie, J. (2019). The effects of a modified mindfulness-based stress reduction program for nurses: A randomized controlled trial. Workplace Health & Safety, 67(3), 111–122. Web.
Pahlavanzadeh, S., Asgari, Z., & Alimohammadi, N. (2016). Effects of stress management program on the quality of nursing care and intensive care unit nurses. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 21(3), 213-218. Web.
Poulsen, A. A., Sharpley, C. F., Baumann, K. C., Henderson, J., & Poulsen, M. G. (2015). Evaluation of the effect of a 1‐day interventional workshop on recovery from job stress for radiation therapists and oncology nurses: A randomised trial. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology, 59(4), 491–498. Web.
Pressbooks. (n.d.). 4.2 reliability and validity of measurement. Web.
Sarafis, P., Rousaki, E., Tsounis, A., Malliarou, M., Lahana, L., Bamidis, P., Niakas, D., & Papastavrou, E. (2016). The impact of occupational stress on nurses’ caring behaviors and their health related quality of life. BMC Nursing, 15(1), 1-9. Web.