Basic Concepts of Quantitative Reasoning - Essay Example

"Basic Concepts of Quantitative Reasoning" is a great example of a paper on the disorder. 
The study was evaluating online-based early intervention through the combination of electronic peer to peer support and cognitive behavioral therapy (Van et al., 2012). The objective was mental health promotion and well being of combat veterans.

Participants

Participants were recruited through advertisement and online registration which required three-stage screening. Those who managed to complete the screening and signed the electronic consent forms were asked to verify their veteran status after which they were consented and urged to book orientation telephone calls which confirmed their commencement of online study. Participants were compensated $150 each after the completion of the study (Van et al., 2012).

Type of study

This study used both qualitative and quantitative methods. This is because it contains both numerical and descriptive data.

Hypotheses

The first hypothesis was that half of the participants will go through the process and portray favorable socio-cultural ratings. The second hypothesis was that favorable changes were likely to be seen in PTSD and depressive disorder symptoms, the third hypothesis was the functional status and the third-fourth hypothesis was the attitude directed towards seeking mental health care.

Procedure

The type of study was generally a single-group with pre and post comparisons.

Statistical tests

For categorical measures, the study used the McNemar test and for the comparison of continuous measures, the study used t-tests.

Results and findings

The participants who completed the screening and met the earlier eligibility screening were 65% while 35% did not. This means that there was a strong demonstration of adhering to the intervention by the participants.

Conclusions

According to the findings, internet interventions borrowed from practices of standard psychotherapy can be modified to contain some service s for people going through depression and PSTD conditions. Internet-based models are in a position to prevent and give early treatment to the conditions through primary care or taking programs on mental health care.

Critique

The first criticism of this article is the lack of knowledge. For example, we are not told whether some participants were treated during the study and if that was the case whether the changes observed were as a result of the treatment. The authors of the study were not keen on the need for the control group. Without the control group, we cannot know the extent of changes reflected to relate to natural history (Hoge et al., 2004). The sample size was too small to give any reliable information. The follow-up term was so short and there were no after study interviews for readers to comprehend what the participants’ experience was like.

The online recruitment design was not the best for the study as there could be potential participants who are computer illiterate (Cuijpers et al., 2009). In addition, online recruitment is unclear on the sum of the net effect of the methods used to recruit. It was improper for the researchers of the study to compensate the participants (Garber, 2006). Participants should willingly participate without being compelled through compensations. Otherwise, some people may do everything possible to get the money even if they do not qualify to participate in the research (Trochim, 2006).