Sampling strategy (ward units)
- Target population
The study targets aggressive patients. The patients must have interacted with the nurses at the McLean hospital. Through interaction, it is easier to determine an aggressive patient. The target population of the study is, therefore, two groups. The primary groups are the patients who display aggressive behavior and secondarily the nurses who will help analyze the aggressive behavior of their patients. As mentioned earlier, nurses play a crucial role in the research by identifying the target population.
Sampling approach
Since the study focuses on a target population with particular characteristics, it is only fair to use a non-probability setting. The best sampling method to use is a purposive sample. Purposive sampling is also referred to as judgment sampling. The study is subjective, and therefore when choosing the members of the population, the research has to rely on the judgment of the selected nurses.
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
All the nurses within the McLean hospital who are registered and recognized by the medical center are included in the research. Their professional opinions as nurses are crucial for the study. Not all patients are included in the study; only those who have been purposefully picked by the nurses.
Factors that influence the determination of sample size
The study requires a sample of fifty aggressive patients purposefully picked by the other fifty nurses. The decision of the example is dependent on the following factors. Firstly, the time allocated for the study is one year inclusive of renovating the ward units. The limited-time, thereby, leads to the limitation of sample size. Additionally, the sample size is also limited due to accuracy. Accurately picking the sample size that can be observed over a long period is necessary.
Potential threat to validity
The main threat to validity based on the sampling strategy is the margin of error. When the sample is purposefully picked, it affects validity by expanding the margin of error. A randomly selected sample limits the margin of error as compared to a purposively picked.
- Cosmic question
What is the most accepted model for the origin of patient aggressive behavior while they are inpatient care plan?