School of Nursing, Midwifery and Community Health

Glasgow Caledonian University













MSc Midwifery

Advanced Research Methods Module

NCHNMD20 ­ 07 ­ A

SHE Level 5



Assignment 1 ­ Critique of Research Perspective

Word allocation: 1500

Word count: 1550

Student: Stefanie Nunes-Laibold





Submission date: 27th November 2007

Content:

Introduction Page 3

Qualitative research question and critique of underlying perspective Page 3

Quantitative research question and critique of underlying perspective Page 5

Conclusion Page 7

Reference list Page 9

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What are German women´s perceptions about antenatal classes

in
the preparation for

motherhood?


Introduction:

Knowledge about childbirth and parenting has historically been gained informally

from other women, mainly family members, and through practical experience of

assisting with childbearing in extended families (Renkert & Nutbeam 2006).

Nowadays the family structures have changed, the families are smaller and therefore

midwives in Germany and worldwide offer antenatal classes during pregnancy in

preparation for motherhood. With qualitative or quantitative research this topic can be

explored to improve antenatal classes. The outlined information′s in this assignment

about qualitative and quantitative research and the principles and critique of both

perspectives will include strengths, limitations and assessment and relates to my final

research proposal about antenatal classes.

Qualitative research question and critique of underlying perspective

A definition of qualitative research is stated by Sandelowski (2004) that with its

emphasis on the contingencies, subjectivities, discursiveness, and politics of evidence,

qualitative research can make evidence-based practice a truly mindful methodology

for improving the public health. Qualitative research can be used to support and

explain quantitative research in unknown areas or in describing new phenomena

which need to be explored in more breadth (Giacomini et al. 2000). The rationale

underpinning the choice of qualitative methods lie in an exploration of how people

make sense of their social world, in order to provide insights into people′s health-

related behaviour that is not readily accessible through surveys. Bradly et al. (2007)

mentioned that the strength of qualitative perspective is that qualitative inquiry can

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