Conclusion of the Research Process to Problems in Health Care - Report Example

Applying the Results and Conclusion of the Research Process to Problems in Health Care of In what way are the datacollection procedures appropriate for this study? The research took a sample of 287 students from two-university high schools. Sixteen pregnant teenagers from a local physician’s were also asked to join the survey. Age, gender, race, and religion demographics were recorded. The instrument used to measure the data was the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. The study aimed to measure the self-esteem of the participants through a questionnaire which asked them to categorize statements and choose from the phrases “unlike me” or “like me” to refer to the enumerated statements. Reliability scores were also taken using the Rosenberg Scale of Self-Esteem, but open-ended questions were also given using the Roy’s assessment of self-concept. The questions were appropriate in acquiring data about teenage pregnancy. The students were asked to participate in the study, with permission from parents and teachers ensuring them of confidentiality. 2. In what way were appropriate steps taken to protect the rights of subjects? Students filled out the surveys inside the classroom and those who did not want to participate were free to return the blank questionnaire. Their names and personal information remained unknown to the researchers. The pregnant teens returned the surveys by emails. 3. In what way is the data collection tool used to support the reliability and validity of the study? Only two choices were allowed, “unlike me” or “like me” which would describe their various personality traits. So it was easy to categorize their responses with respect to the different statements in the questionnaire. The Rosenberg Scale of Self-Esteem showed a reliability coefficient of alpha, which is .7974. There were added questions pertaining to goals, appearance, and personal characteristics, and questions about sexual activity and other demographic characteristics. The hypothesis that sexually active males would report higher levels of self than would nonsexually active males was tested via a t-test, which showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups of males. The same t-test was conducted to prove the second hypothesis. For the third hypothesis, a two-tailed t-test was conducted whether virgin females would have higher levels of self-esteem than would nonvirgin females, which found no significant differences between the two groups. The two-tailed t-test also found no difference between virgin males and nonvirgin males. 4. Data analysis procedures a. In what ways are the data analysis procedures appropriate for the data collected? First ANOVA was conducted to test the hypothesis. The level of self-esteem in relationship to race and gender was conducted. This was also conducted to t-test the level of self esteem in relationship to male and female adolescents’ response to sexual intercourse within the last six months. Multiple regression was performed using self-esteem as the dependent variable, and the independent variables were sexually active, virgin, gender, age, and pregnancy/fathers. This was an appropriate data collection method for this study. b. In what ways are the data analysis procedures appropriate for answering the research question or questions, for testing the study hypothesis or hypotheses, or both? Data analysis used ANOVA (analysis of variance) in showing that there were no significant differences in levels of self-esteem in relation to race or gender. This is shown in a table, providing the mean, standard deviation and standard error on the four kinds of races. ANOVA was used on the four hypotheses and the results were provided in a table. ANOVA provided the results of a trend to significant difference in self-esteem between males who had fathered a child and those who had not, with results stating that the fathers had lower levels of self-esteem than nonfathers. c. Key distinctions between qualitative and quantitative data In qualitative data, results of the survey are provided in words, pictures and explanations about the questions, whereas in quantitative data the results are in numbers. The natural setting is the direct source of data and the researcher is the key instrument in qualitative research. In this study, the researchers conducted research in the particular setting of interest, the university where the participants studied and university-affiliated high schools. Qualitative researchers look for processes, how things occur, and they also analyze data. 5. Conclusion Summary The study focused on teenage pregnancy and the topics in the survey involved self-esteem of male and female adolescents, in the contexts of sexually-active teens, virgin males and females, pregnant teens, and male teens who had fathered a child. The introduction provided a background on the reality of teenage pregnancy in the United States, due primarily to increased sexual activity among the teen population, suggesting that teenage pregnancy will remain a major problem in American society today. A study revealed that sex education, a supply of contraceptives, and community support might be able to prevent or slow down teen pregnancy. Teens are in a period where developing positive behavior is a challenge to family and society. There are researches that suggest a relation ‘among poor self-concept, sexual activity, and pregnancy’ (Kissman, 1990 as cited in Robinson & Frank, 1994, p. 28). Teenage boys want to prove their masculinity through sexual activity and being a father, but studies about this are still inconclusive. Four hypotheses regarding sexual activity, pregnancy, and self-esteem were tested. Culturally-diverse teens (287 students and 16 pregnant teens) were asked to answer the questionnaires. Confidentiality was assured and those who wished not to participate were free to go but their identity remained confidential. ANOVA was conducted to test the hypotheses. The survey found negative results for the four hypotheses; meaning, that there was no difference between sexually active and nonsexually active male and female teens; that there was no difference between virgin females and nonvirgin females, and virgin males and nonvirgin males; that there was no difference between pregnant teens and nonpregnant teens with respect to presence of self-esteem; and that there was no difference between males who had fathered and those who had not fathered. Multiple regression found no single variable to be statistically significant in predicting adolescent self-esteem. This is in contrast to other researches where researchers found differences in the levels of self-esteem based on race, gender, virginity, sexual activity, or pregnancy. Strengths of the scientific merit of this study The procedures were conducted in a scientific manner, and reliability was determined to provide integrity for the study. All necessary guidelines for a scientific study were observed. ANOVA, multiple regression analysis, and t-tests provided reliability for the study. Weaknesses There was no generalizability of the results because the sample was not randomly selected. Limitations of the study and its weakness The sample was not randomly selected. They were students from different high schools, who ranged from different socioeconomic backgrounds, race, and family configurations. The pregnant sample was small, who came from the rural areas and were in the last periods of pregnancy and were already given prenatal care. Explain if the findings support the hypotheses Reference Robinson, R. & Frank, D. (1994). The relation between self-esteem, sexual activity, and pregnancy. Adolescence, 29(113), 27-35. Read More