Physical Activity by Older Adults - Research Paper Example

Critiquing Qualitative Research Introduction This critique seeks to analyze the article cited below by checking into all the details available in the study conducted and comparing it with the expected standards of an updated qualitative research Qualitative research means the review of the nature and standard of the study presented and the clear descriptions of research methods applied to tabulate results and recommendations from the study: Jonine, M., Ann, C., Peter, H., Bruce, M. and Andy, H. (2009) Perceptions of physical activity by older adults: A qualitative study. Health Education Journal 68: 196 It is important to carry out qualitative research because through this kind of analysis one establish the relevance, strengths and weaknesses of an article to enable one read the article with the knowledge of expected results This study is interesting because it encompasses an area of research under the healthcare platform that has been under-researched over the years (physical health for the ole people in the society) thereby facilitating the need to have a study done and results tabulated The framework below has been filled to correspond to the results gotten from reading the article and filling up the consequent outcome of each section as stipulated by this framework. A FRAMEWORK FOR CRITIQUING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Snow (2012) modified from CASP [CRITICAL APPRAISAL SKILLS PROGRAMME ’10 QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MAKE SENSE OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH’] Jonine, M., Ann, C., Peter, H., Bruce, M. and Andy, H. (2009) Perceptions of physical activity by older adults: A qualitative study. Health Education Journal 68: 196 SCREENING QUESTIONS 1. TITLE Is the aim of the study clear? Are the main issues of interest and sample population indicated? Is the study design or research approach clear from the title? The aim of the study is clear as stated in the objective of the study, the variables of interest has been indicated in the method and this incorporated the interview of old adults The design study is clear enough from the title stating the reason for the study 2. ABSTRACT Does this summarize the whole study? Is information provided regarding background, literature, aim/ aim & objectives, methods, sample size, data collection tools, data analysis strategies, results, conclusions and recommendations included? Does it make you want to read the rest of the paper? The abstract summarizes what is to be expected in the whole study as it talks about the method used, the design, the setting and the conclusion of the study. The information provided in the abstract is relevant because the objectives documented have discussed issues affecting the old people in the society The conclusion, however, would not ignite much readership interest for individuals who have no special interest on the healthcare system of the elderly 3. LITERATURE REVIEW/BACKGROUND What is the background to the study? Is it easily found and justified in the introduction of the article? Can you easily locate the literature review? Is there a critical review of previous literature? Are articles compared and contrasted? Are most of the references from the last 5 years? Are gaps in the literature identified indicating the need for this study? Does the review discuss literature directly relevant to the aims of the research? The background of the study is in Australia whereby a number of old people were interviewed in regards to their feelings about physical activity at their age. The literature review is not easy to locate in the article though Critical review of similar research and literature has not been featured in the literature review thereby showing that no contrast or comparison has been done to previous literature. All the references listed are not from the last 5 years and some even go beyond the last 17 years (1997) and beyond. The gaps in the literature have been identified and have been documented in form of data analysis from conducted interviews 4. AIMS OF THE RESEARCH Is there a clear statement of the aims/ Aim and objectives? What were they trying to find out, ie issues under study? Yes! There is a clear statement of the objectives of the study To identify issues and perceptions concerning physical Activities in older adults. 5. IS A QUALITATIVE METHODOLOGY APPROPRIATE? Is this Phenomenology? Grounded theory? Ethnography? Case study? or is it described as something else? i.e. descriptive qualitative study If design indicated is this an acceptable and appropriate ‘version’ of the stated design, ie are the key features expected included? Is it appropriate to answer the research question? If the design is not indicated can you identify what it appears to be? If the design is neither indicated nor apparent what design(s) would you consider appropriate to answer the research question? This is a descriptive qualitative study This is an acceptable version of the stated design because the results are descriptive enough as expected of this design, the results are appropriate in answering the research question The design is indicated as a qualitative study DETAILED QUESTIONS 6. SAMPLING STRATEGY Is it clear: a) From where the sample was selected and Why? b) Who was selected and why? c) How they were selected, ie sample Strategy, and why? d) Was the size of the sample justified? ie. Consider saturation of data re Grounded Theory e) Is it stated whether some participants Chose not to take part? f)Was the sampling strategy appropriate to address the research question? it is clear was selected but not why it was chosen it is clear who was selected and the reasons why they were selected are based on their socio-economic backgrounds it is not clear how they were selected though the study says they were selected purposefully to represent different backgrounds the size of the sample was not justified in the study it is not clearly stated whether some participants chose not to participate in the interviews the sampling strategy was appropriate because the selected respondents were to have reached a minimum level of physical activity to participate in the interview 7. DATA COLLECTION is it clear: a) Where the setting of the data collection was and why that setting was chosen? b) How the data were collected and why? ie. interviews, observation c) Length of data collection period? ie. interviews and, observation duration periods d) How the data were recorded and why? ie. tape recorded, field notes etc e) If the methods were modified during the Process and why? ie Grounded theory constant comparison f) Was the data collected in a way that addresses the research question ie Content validity evident? Yes! It is clear where the setting of data collection was and this is named as Australia though it is not very clear why the location was chosen. The data was collected through interviews so as to get oral evidence for each of the participants’ ideas about physical activity. Length of the data collection period has not been documented though the specific amount of time allocated for interviewing each respondent has been stated to range between 60 to 90 minutes. It is not clear if the methods were modified during the interview process. It is not clear how the data was recorded. Content validity was evident in the form of the questions that the respondents were asked as it related to the topic of study. 8. DATA ANALYSIS AND RIGOUR is it clear: a) How the analysis was done i.e. is the framework for analysis identified? b) Is there adequate description of how the categories and themes were derived from the data? c) Have other steps been taken to test the Rigour of the findings? i.e.:- -is there evidence of some measures being taken to establish rigour such as; -feeding results back to respondents - repeating or checking the analysis by more than one researcher d) Did the researcher critically examine their own role, potential bias and influence? ie do they talk about ‘reflexivity ’or bracketing in examining their preconceptions Yes! The framework for the analysis has been identified and has been identified through the breaking down of the data derived from the respondents into smaller units It is clear how the themes and categories were derived from the data gotten from the respondents There are no further measures conducted to determine the rigour of the results and no results were fed back to the respondents It is not clear if the analysis was checked by more than one researcher It is not clear if the researchers examined their own role critically because of the lack of evidence in the study to support this claim. 9. RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP RELATIONS/ ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS Does the research consider: a) informed consent ie. how was the research explained to the participants? Were information sheets and consent forms used? b) Anonymity and confidentiality ie how were these established? c) potential harm and potential benefit to participants d) Is Ethics Committee approval indicated? Potential respondents were contacted on the phone prior to the interview so as to establish their legibility and to get their consent Anonymity and confidentiality were not discussed by the respondents, or if it was indeed discussed then it has not been documented in this study. The table has however shown fictitious names to represent the respondents which shows that anonymity and confidentiality were somehow considered in the tabulation of the results No approval from the ethics committee has been indicated to have been acquired during the course of the study. 10. FINDINGS a) Is there a clear statement of the findings? ie.is there adequate discussion of the evidence both for and against the researchers’ arguments? b) Were the findings explicit, ie themes identified? c) Were the findings easy to understand? The findings are clearly stated in the results section and are detailed with adequate discussions of researchers arguments Different themes were identified in the findings thereby qualifying them as explicit Yes! The findings are easy to understand 11. JUSTIFICATION OF DATA INTERPRETATION a) Is there sufficient data presented to support the findings, ie inclusion of direct quotations from the sample participants? b)Is it explained how the data presented in the article were selected from the original sample? ie why was this particular quote used? Are there quotes from a wide range of respondents? c) Do the researchers indicate links between the data presented and their own findings on what the data contain? d) Is past and new literature included to support discussion of the findings? Yes! There is sufficient data gotten from the interview to support the findings especially through the inclusion of direct quotations from the participants sampled The selected quotations are explained and the particular quotes have been used to reinforce the findings under the discussion of the results from the study. There are other quotes from other respondents under different themes of findings Yes! The researchers have shown links between their findings and the data presented from the interviews No! The findings have not been supported by discussions of past findings from different literature 12. TRANSFERABILITY a) Can the findings of this research be ‘transferred’ to your own practice? ie. is the context and setting described in sufficient detail to determine differences and similarities to your own practice area of interest b) Are the findings of this study transferable to a wider target Population? c) Does it suggest future research? Yes! The results are transferrable but this may not be to a desired extent because the number of participants in this study was smaller than should be expected to represent a larger population. These findings can be transferred to wider populations though selectively because the selection of the respondents was not gender sensitive: more females than males thereby creating difficulty in transferability to the whole population. Future research is not majorly suggested. 14. Summary of strengths & weaknesses of the study What do you consider the strengths? What do you consider the weaknesses? The strengths of the study include the fact that results are documented and tabulated well according to different themes derived from the study. The discussion part of the study documents the benefits of the results gotten from the study and also tabulates the recommendations to bring change in levels of physical activities of the sampled population The weaknesses of the study include the stated fact that the selection of candidates for sampling was not adequately done as the number of female respondents is supposed to have a similar range as that of male respondents The study does not document relevant and related literatures that would have helped expand the knowledge on the topic of the study. The fact that the respondents were given $20 incentives before the interview could prove that some of the respondents did not release reliable information as the incentives were all that did matter to them. Conclusion: The critique of qualitative research is intended to produce an in-depth analysis of an article by checking the details documented in the study and this one is no exception. The recommended sub topics for reviewing the critique of a qualitative research have been utilized in the critique of the article presented. The strengths and weaknesses have also been documented in the analysis so as to show the level of success achieved by the article and the authors in achieving their main goal which is to gather information and to avail it for the consumption of the public. References Allender S, Cowburn G, Foster C. (2006) Understanding participation in sport and Physical activity among children and adults: A review of qualitative studies. Health Education Research: 21(6): 826–835. Bandura, A. (1997) Self Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. New York: Freeman. Bauman, A. (2004) Updating the evidence that physical activity is good for health: An Epidemiological review 2000–2003. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, : 7(1suppl): 6–19. Cyarto E, Moorhead G, Brown W. (2004) Updating the evidence relating to physical Activity intervention studies in older people. 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