Critique of the Validity of the Study - Research Proposal Example

Introduction and Purpose “BACKGROUND: In general, schools are an important setting to implement current recommendations for obesity prevention in children because the vast majority of children attend school. This study investigated the opinions of different school stakeholders on the feasibility and acceptability of current obesity prevention strategies that could be implemented in Swiss schools.” The purpose of the study was very clear and well stated. Authors of the study found, based on the research conducted in previous studies that school is the best place for implementing programs for reducing adolescent obesity (Sophie, Christina and Joan 2010). Based on this research it was concluded that all programs for adolescence obesity are targeted at schools because school invades substantial amount of time in the life of this population and schools have the necessary mechanisms to implement the programs. As one of the most important factors for low effectiveness and implementation of these programs two actors are stated: the tight school schedule and differences in the opinions of the different stakeholders (teachers, parents, adolescents etc.) which is actually the subject of research in this study. However it is not stated and there is no reference to find if the main question analyzed in the study is formulated based on a previous research or based on a personal perception of the authors of the study. Authors state that the question they analyze in the study is “at least” one of the two factors that are barriers for implementing the current recommendations for reducing adolescent obesity, but nevertheless we don’t have information’s about the importance of this question based on a previous research. Review of the Literature Nevertheless the literature listed as reference to the text is relevant and we have access to previous research and studies that were done on the subject of adolescent obesity specifically in Switzerland (Zimmermann et al. 2004). The problem with adolescent obesity is supported by well designed and relevant studies. Also the method of qualitative approach is stated as appropriate for the type of the research conducted in this study. This statement is also referenced with relevant publications which elaborate why this approach is most suited for this study (Krueger 1994) (Kitzinger 1995). Nevertheless we can’t understand the importance of the question analyzed in this study (different views and perceptions of all the stakeholders) based on the references stated in the study, but only as personal view of the researcher that this question is one of the most important in understanding the problem. There are studies however that imply the importance of integrated approach of all stakeholders in implementing programs for reducing adolescent obesity (Lynne et al. 2010). Medical educators and nurses working in the schools have important function in identifying the problem of adolescent obesity and implementing the programs and recommendations for reducing the incidence of adolescent obesity. Nurses were included in the study and their opinions were compared and analyzed along with other stakeholders mentioned in the study. This is important because the view of medical professionals is confronted and compared with the other stakeholders that have influence on the obese adolescents. Study Design The study is designed as qualitative research of grounded theory type. The study is classified in this type because the conclusions were acquired inductively on the basis of data that is acquired from the participant or observer on the basis of the opinions gathered from the focus groups. This design of the study enables the researchers to draw inductive conclusions based on the data of different focus groups. This way the researcher is able to compare opinions and facts from different groups of stakeholders that are all affected by the problem of adolescent obesity and all of them are motivated to find a solution. The fact that the opinions come from different groups is a positive aspect to the researchers because they can observe the opinions of all involved stakeholders and develop more coherent conclusion. The researcher is familiar with the problem of ineffectiveness of available programs for reducing adolescent obesity and identifies that the different views and perceptions of all stakeholders have significance in ineffective implementation of programs and recommendations for this problem. However we can’t see a relevant research data that will show us that this difference of opinions between the stakeholders is important factor. Judging by logical conclusion collaboration of all stakeholders (that are motivated and involved in implementation of these programs) is essential for coherent functioning of any program or protocol for reducing adolescent obesity. Coherent collaboration of teachers, nurses, medical consultants, parents and adolescents themselves is essential for effective implementation of any program. On the basis of this we can conclude that the researchers have deep understanding of the problem they are researching. From the data acquired in the study the researchers conclude there is no difference between the current recommendations for obesity prevention in schools and the opinions they acquired from the study. The problem is that the researchers fail to produce effective conclusion from the study other that all of the stakeholders should be involved in the process, We must imply that this in essence what the reason for the study, in order to find a better correlation and more coherent opinion and recommendations for prevention of adolescent obesity. The researchers fail to draw a conclusion from the study and present concise and well understood opinion. Nevertheless we can draw our own conclusions and conclude that all stakeholders are very motivated in resolving the problem and future cooperation and one integrated approach that will include all stakeholders is imperative. Methods The study is designed as focus groups qualitative study. Focus groups are a form of qualitative research where the participants are managed into groups and are asked about a specific subject. Focus groups let the participants communicate between each other and enable more natural environment of communication and research. It is a form of research where the participants can share the opinion about a subject and communicate between each other building a more relevant opinion about a subject which is described in natural language. Sampling The cohort sample was carefully selected from different groups of people: teachers, medical educators, nurses, parents, adolescents etc. This is in concordance with the goals of the study to obtain opinions and different views from different stakeholders. All of the participants were willingly participating in the discussions within the groups and were motivated to influence the problem. Data Collection In the study we can identify different levels of bias that is not mentioned by the researchers. The observer that was taking the notes from the discussion may be one source of bias, recording some discussion rather than other. Also there is a chance that some of the participants in the group were able to change the opinion and influence on the others. Also some of the participants were suggested by other participants (teachers were suggested by the directors). This means that there was no randomization of the cohort group and this is another source of eventual bias. Data Analysis The analysis of the data was done using the inductive method, where based on the opinions and views of different participants a general conclusion was made. In this study there is a large possibility of different levels of bias because the researchers were evaluating opinions and personal views of particular topic. But the data are well organized and the results can be clearly understood in the result chapter. Every conclusion is supported with an example statement from one of the participants that generally reflect the conclusion of that question. Based on the process of data analyzes we can conclude that the conclusion is objective and is designed to reflect the general opinion that was common for all groups. But we must note that there is no data characteristic for different focus groups: what is the general opinion of the parents, teachers, and adolescents as a group and then try to analyze the differences. This is a flow of the study because this is important data in order to better understand the differences in opinions between different stakeholders. Conclusions The conclusion is the weakest part of the study. The researcher was unable to draw a general conclusion from the study other than that there is a need for cooperation. This is a problem because there are more data that are available from the study and can be more precisely presented in conclusion part. References: Sophie Bucher Della Torre, Swiss RD, Christina Akr’e, MA, Joan-Carles Suris, MD, PhD (2010), Obesity Prevention Opinions of School Stakeholders: A Qualitative Study, Journal of school health - American School Health Association, May 2010, Vol. 80, No. 5 Zimmermann MB, Gubeli C, Puntener C, Molinari L. Overweight and obesity in 6-12 year old children in Switzerland. Swiss Med Wkly. 2004;134(35-36):523-528. Krueger R. Focus Groups: A Practical Guide for Applied Research. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications; 1994. Kitzinger J. Qualitative research. Introducing focus groups. BMJ. 1995;311(7000):299-302. Lynne M MacLean, Kathryn Clinton, Nancy Edwards, Michael Garrard, Lisa Ashley, Patti Hansen-Ketchum, and Audrey Walsh (2010), Unpacking vertical and horizontal integration: childhood overweight/obesity programs and planning, a Canadian perspective, MacLean et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd., Implement Sci. 2010; 5: 36, Published online 2010 May 17. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-5-36. PMCID: PMC2883960 Read More