Title: Experiences of Women Relocated due to the February 2023 Earthquake in Turkey: A
Qualitative Study
Version: 1 Date: 19 Oct 2024
Reviewer:  Mehraban Shahmari
Reviewer's report:
Overall, this is a well-designed and comprehensive qualitative study that provides valuable
insights into the experiences and health concerns of women displaced by the 2023 earthquake in
Turkey. The authors have done an excellent job in capturing the multifaceted challenges faced by
this vulnerable population. Here are some suggestions that could further strengthen the article:
Introduction: Include a more comprehensive literature review in the introduction to provide
context for the study. Discuss previous research on women's health post-disaster to highlight
gaps that this study addresses.
Feedback on Methods Section:
1. Overall Structure and Redundancy:
The Methods section requires significant revisions due to redundancy and repetitive content.
Ensure clarity and conciseness throughout the section.
2. Headings and Subsections:
The section should be organized with clear headings: Study Design, Setting, Participants, Data
Collection, Analysis, Ethical Considerations, and Rigor. Each subsection should be elaborated
to give a comprehensive overview.
In the access section, it mentions contacting contributors via email. Please clarify whether all
contributors had access to email. If not, specify how accessibility was ensured for all participants
involved in the study.
3. Data Collection:
The mention of face-to-face interviews appears multiple times. This should be consolidated to
avoid repetition. Provide just one clear description in the Data Collection subsection.
It would be sufficient to include only the maximum, minimum, and average durations of the
interviews to streamline the information.
4. Data Analysis:
The analysis section raises questions about the sufficiency of the data. Discuss the implications
of having 72 pages of raw interview data for 32 participants and 482 codes. Is this quantity
adequate for a robust qualitative analysis?
In the analysis section, it is stated that the steps outlined by Graneheim and Lundman were
followed. However, there is also a reference to Brown and Clark in the rigor section. Please
clarify which framework was utilized for the analysis. If both were used, provide a brief
explanation of how each was applied in the study.
Clearly outline the steps of Graneheim and Lundman that were employed in this study. Specify
which steps were implemented and how they were applied to your data analysis.
Lincoln and Guba's criteria for qualitative research, detail the specific steps taken to meet their
four standards of rigor: credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.
This is related to strengths and limitations please put it after discussion in the  strengths and
limitations section:
“The use of purposive sampling and in-depth interviews enhanced the transferability of research
findings. Furthermore, maximum diversity in the sample was employed to provide more
comprehensive and complete information.
Unlike many other studies, this qualitative analysis examines the health issues and experiences
of women who relocated after the earthquake. The study aims to provide valuable information for
developing interventions that can address the problems faced by these women. Some researchers
work in institutions where participants receive services, allowing them to observe and establish
close relationships with the participants, which provides an advantage in obtaining complete
and accurate information.”
Results and Discussion
Integration of Quotes: While quotes from participants are valuable, ensure they are integrated
smoothly into the text. Provide context for each quote to enhance understanding.
Improve the Organization and Flow: Consider reorganizing the presentation of the findings
to enhance the flow and coherence of the narrative. For example, the authors could group
the subcategories under broader thematic headings to provide a more structured and logical
presentation of the results.
Enhance the Presentation of Quotes: The inclusion of participant quotes is a strength of the
study, but the presentation could be improved by integrating the quotes more seamlessly into
the narrative and providing more context and analysis around them.
Expand the Discussion: The discussion section could be further strengthened by drawing more
explicit connections between the study findings and the existing literature. This would help to
situate the study's contributions within the broader context of research on women's experiences
in disaster situations. Additionally, the authors could delve deeper into the implications of the
findings for policy, practice, and future research.
Strengthen the Conclusion: The conclusion could be expanded to provide more concrete
recommendations for addressing the identified challenges and meeting the needs of women in
the aftermath of natural disasters. This could include specific suggestions for policymakers,
healthcare providers, and disaster response organizations.
Broader Implications: Discuss the broader implications of the findings for policy and practice.
Suggest specific interventions or policy changes that could address the identified needs of
women post-disaster.
Address Limitations: The authors could acknowledge the limitations of the study, such as the
potential for selection bias in the sampling or the challenges of conducting research in a post-
disaster setting, and discuss how these limitations may have influenced the findings.
Overall, this is a well-executed study that makes a valuable contribution to the understanding
of women's experiences and health concerns in the aftermath of natural disasters. With the
suggested improvements, the article could be further strengthened and serve as a valuable
resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working in this important field.
Feedback on Language and Writing Quality:
The entire article requires a thorough review and correction in terms of English writing.
Particular attention should be given to the discussion section, as it contains several areas that
could benefit from improved clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy. A comprehensive
editing process will enhance the overall readability and professionalism of the manuscript.
For example, wife or husband?
Help is coming, but we haven't seen it. They usually reach the entrance of the city or an area
near the center. We realized this situation much later. We cannot leave the rubble, my wife is
under the rubble and my children are with me, but we needed a lot (P26).