Population
Discuss about the Recruitment and Sampling.
The population used in the research was sufficiently described. The study targeted five groups to provide diverse participants for the research. The participants include consumers of mental health, carers, case workers, police officers, and paramedics. Consumers of mental health are the persons who have mental health issues (Bradbury et al., 2017). On the other hand, carers are the people that look after those with mental illnesses and ought to have experienced involuntary transportation specifically with the contemporary MHA (Mental Health Act). Case workers are mental health nurses while police officers incorporated into the study are those that must have transported people under mental health regulation. Subsequently, the sample size was sufficient as sixteen people were interviewed. The setting has been described comprehensively. The participants were mainly from Norther Rivers area of NSW (New South Wales). Saturation was achieved because further data collection and analysis would not yield useful results.
Data collection was done through semi-structured interviews. It was the most appropriate since semi-structured interviews are usually open. Furthermore, they allow additional information to be included in the interview. Questions are prepared prior to the interview which enables the interviewer to be confident during the session. Semi-structured interviews allow the interviewees to convey ideas in their own terms (Brinkmann, 2014). Such interviews provide qualitative data which is comparable and reliable. In the same token, the interviews promote two-way communication where interviewees can seek clarification by asking questions (Low, 2013). Apart from confirming known facts, semi-structured interviews provide an opportunity to learn. The information provided not only provides answers but also reasons and explanations. Consequently, the use of this method facilitates the discussion of sensitive matters.
There was an effort to attain data triangulation. Notably, this is because the semi-structured interviews were recorded (Bradbury et al., 2017). The recording of semi-structured interviews is a strength to the study due to various reasons. Generally, recording interviews provides accurate results because all answers and comments are saved for future reference. The researchers can repeatedly listen to the interviews to get maximum information (McIntosh and Morse, 2015). Consequently, body language, speech speed and tone can be evaluated. The recorded semi-structured interviews are imperative in transcription of the research answers. It makes it possible to include applicable quotes in the study report. Lastly, the recording of the semi-structured interviews minimized behavioral distortions and bias. Therefore, this shows that data gathered was relevant to the research.
Sample Size
Nonetheless, audio recording interviews is a weakness to the study because it depends on equipment which may fail. Therefore, this might make the session unsuccessful. Some interviewees may be nervous therefore becoming reluctant to convey useful information. It is disadvantageous to use audio recording because it does not capture non-verbal communication. In the same token, transcription might be necessary which results in extra cost making the research uneconomical (McIntosh and Morse, 2015). Inexperienced interviewers may make inaccurate statements that might be misinterpreted leading to collection irrelevant data. Lastly, the interviewees might also demand to record the interviews and leak the information to probable interviewees. Therefore, this interferes with the research’s integrity.
Contrariwise, it is time-consuming to collect and analyze data when utilizing semi-structured interviews. There is also the possibility that the small sample size used for the research is not representative of the actual population. Semi-structured interviews are unique making it difficult to compare the obtained results. Likewise, interviewing skills are necessary and adequate preparation is required so that questions are not leading or prescriptive. The method is resource intensive, and also researchers have to ensure confidentiality of information.
There was institutional ethics consent for the study. Ethical considerations are critical in any research. First, ethical considerations help avoid data fabrication, therefore, promoting the pursuit of trust and knowledge which is the key aim of the research (Cacciattolo, 2015). The rights of the research participants were upheld. For instance, Carers of persons with mental health illnesses were incorporated into the study on a voluntary basis. Only the people interested were included. The consent of the participants was sought before inclusion into the study. All interested people were able to contact researchers by email or phone and conveyed their willingness to participate in the study.
Notably, ethical consideration is vital because it fosters collaborative work, therefore, promoting an environment of accountability, mutual respect, and trust amongst researchers (Marshall and Rossman, 2014). Researchers must ensure they consider ethics to make the public believe and support the research. Typically, people are concerned with knowing if the researchers adhered to the proper guidelines including compliance with legislation, safety, and human rights. Therefore, ethical considerations greatly influence the research’s integrity (Corbin et al., 2014). Observing ethical considerations, upholding the rights of the research’s contributors and designing the study in a manner that maximizes benefits to participants is a strength of the study. It ensured that the study was appropriately conducted.
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Data analysis techniques have been sufficiently described in the study. Transcription of the interview recordings was done. Afterward, an inductive thematic analysis was performed. Investigators independently coded the transcripts (Campbell et al., 2013). The individualized coding of the interviews presents the possibility of bias. Additionally, this is because each researcher identifies phrases and words which seem appropriate. Codes obtained were condensed and compiled through the use of an iterative procedure of transcript analysis (Bradbury et al., 2017). Overlapping and frequent occurring codes were used as a basis for the system of reduction and categorization. The chief investigator evaluated the data’s thematic structure through the use of subgroup analysis. Initially, the data was split into two categories, that is, service users (carers and consumers) and service providers (paramedics, police and case workers). Moreover, the thematic structure for every researcher was evaluated separately and comparison done across groups. The analysis facilitated unique and shared experiences across all participants’ categories (Clarke and Braun, 2014). Therefore, after comparison of thematic structures, three distinctive subgroups emerged. These were service providers, carers, and consumers (paramedics, police and case workers).
The inductive thematic analysis was compatible with nature of the data gathered. Conventionally, data collected through semi-structured interviews is coded to obtain relevant themes (Ando, Cousins and Young, 2014). However, coding of interviews can result in the loss of the original meaning of information. Furthermore, people might be unable to comprehend the codes if they are complicated.
The inductive thematic analysis was appropriate for the study because it helped in providing suitable results. It is flexible therefore suitable for multiple researchers (Vaismoradi, Turunen and Bondas, 2013). Conversely, thematic analysis has reduced interpretive power in case it does not include theoretical framework. It is difficult for researchers to make claims in regards to language use. Although the method is flexible, the flexibility may lead to incoherence and inconsistency particularly when formulating themes.
Findings
The findings of the research were effectively summarized. It was found out that police response is frequently perceived as forceful. Consumers noted that they are humiliated by harsh police treatment. Similarly, the utilization of police vehicles to transport mentally ill people is inappropriate. All groups under study revealed that it is not necessary to use police cars if the mentally ill persons are non-violent.
Analysis of data provided a true reflection of the aspect under investigation. Analysis revealed that gentle communication is paramount to ensuring positive intervention. Carers were uncomfortable in regards to the involuntary admission of loved ones. Furthermore, the system of transporting people with mental ailments is not inclusive (Bradbury et al., 2017). Carers feel isolated because there are reduced government services. On the other hand, themes are logically connected forming an integrated and convincing whole. Service providers are frustrated mainly because of inability to deal with psychological health. However, follow-up makes the transportation of mentally sick people effective.
Trustworthiness
Trustworthiness is disclosing if research is dependable, confirmable, transferable and credible. The research utilized triangulation to ensure the study’s discoveries are credible. Methods utilized to facilitate credibility were sufficient, appropriate and adequately described. The researchers have well-documented research decision processes and procedures to show that the findings are confirmable and auditable (Bradbury et al., 2017). Confirmability ensured that the study is not biased and that it is neutral. The researchers have highlighted every data analysis step to justify all decisions made. Therefore, this helps in determining the research’s findings accurately
References
Ando, H., Cousins, R., & Young, C. (2014). Achieving saturation in thematic analysis: Development and refinement of a codebook. Comprehensive Psychology, 3, 03-CP.
Bradbury, J., Hutchinson, M., Hurley, J., & Stasa, H. (2017). Lived experience of involuntary transport under mental health legislation. International journal of mental health nursing, 26(6), 580-592.
Brinkmann, S. (2014). Interview. In Encyclopedia of critical psychology (pp. 1008-1010). Springer New York.
Cacciattolo, M. (2015). Ethical considerations in research. In The Praxis of English Language Teaching and Learning (PELT) (pp. 61-79). SensePublishers, Rotterdam.
Campbell, J. L., Quincy, C., Osserman, J., & Pedersen, O. K. (2013). Coding in-depth semistructured interviews: Problems of unitization and intercoder reliability and agreement. Sociological Methods & Research, 42(3), 294-320.
Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2014). Thematic analysis. In Encyclopedia of critical psychology (pp. 1947-1952). Springer New York.
Corbin, J., Strauss, A., & Strauss, A. L. (2014). Basics of qualitative research. Sage.
Low, J. (2013). Unstructured and semi-structured interviews in health research. Researching health: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, 87-105.
Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2014). Designing qualitative research. Sage publications.
McIntosh, M. J., & Morse, J. M. (2015). Situating and constructing diversity in semi-structured interviews. Global qualitative nursing research, 2, 2333393615597674.
Vaismoradi, M., Turunen, H., & Bondas, T. (2013). Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study. Nursing & health sciences, 15(3), 398-405.