Critical Appraisal of Study Concepts - Essay Example

Knowledge and attitude are the independent variables while practice to fertility preservations was the dependable variable. This is attributed to how the knowledge and attitude of oncologists affected fertility preservation in cancer treatment. This forms a foundation of the research question used in the study. In addition, the age and sex of the physicians were incorporated as independent variables to evaluate if they affected the oncologists’ knowledge and attitude toward fertility preservation. This would identify the need for further education among oncologists about fertility preservation.

The analysis of this study reveals that it tests a prior hypothesis made before the commencement of the measurement phase. That is, there is a general conclusion and predictions about cancer and the oncologist's current know-how, attitude, perception, practices, and barriers to the preservation of fertility among the childbearing age populace in the UK. This course satisfies its design as confirmatory with oncologists' perception of fertility as a women's issue as another extraneous variable. This was however well controlled by re-accounting the study thesis.

The study’s design was influenced by the pilot findings (Adams, et al., 2013). The pilot entailed an online survey of a few doctors via MedeConnect Company. The main adjustment done in the final study is an increment of the allocated finance due to the pilots’ insight that the prior allocated one would not last the project to completion.
The inclusion/exclusion or eligibility criterion for the study was that the oncologist doctors had to be registered members of the GMC doctor’s corporation and had a link to MedeConnect Company. The method used is probability sampling and mainly cluster sampling. The survey had to be carried out throughout the UK in eternity which was the study’s sampling frame. Due to insufficient resources, only a few online oncologists had been chosen (Adams, et al., 2013). The sample size was 100 online oncologists. The informed consent process involved an account of the study’s associated benefits and risks to its participants. Approval by the IRB was established and sent to the prospective oncologists for signing.

Oncologists’ knowledge of Fertility preservation (FP) was the study's main variable. One measure was a 35-item survey laid on prior research’s foundation conducted in the United States using the same items where relevant, occasionally with adjustment for a British environment. To determine participants' FP knowledge, they were asked to designate their knowledge of six different FP alternatives and the current practice behaviors appraised using six statements (Adams, Hill, & Watson, 2013).

Data collection was qualitative through questionnaires that were electronically distributed via MedeConnect Company. Data collection was also collected electronically via the questionnaires to search for data that would be used in data analysis. After the participants received them, they filled and sent them back as feedback. The questionnaires were then collected, data analyzed and results generated. The findings were critical in determining how the discussion and conclusion would look like. Questionnaires enhanced data collection because it is quick to complete, inexpensive, and easy to analyze. However, this method limits the depth of response therefore information obtained is incomplete.

The level of measurement used in this research study was ordinal taking into consideration the measurement of levels of agreements using knowledge and attitude as variables. The ordinal level also suggests an ordering of variables. The Likert scale was the type of measurement strategy it utilizes questionnaire responses over a scale and is designed to measure attitudes and opinions. The statistical analysis was expressive. Sizes and frequencies were recapped for demographic individualities and each survey item (Adams et. al 2013). There were independent sample t-tests that were used to survey disparities in means, and the 2-tests of autonomy that were used to assess relations between definite variables. In case of unequal distributions of answers, some items were med into dichotomous items. The answer alternatives rarely, usually, never, and always were turned into two categories by integration of usually' and always' and never' and rarely’ as variables. Analysis of variance was used to check for differences in dependence variables about the independent variables.

The results indicate that a large percentage of oncologists were knowledgeable about sperm cryopreservation as opposed to testicular cryopreservation and ovarian cryopreservation. Most oncologists admitted to a lack of information regarding fertility preservation, the majority were comfortable considered it a priority, and discussed it with their patients. A substantial number of oncologists did not provide information to their patients. It would be concluded that it is important to provide further education and information about current reproductive methods. The potential impact of prejudices that may prevent equal access to resources can be identified by understanding the personal attitudes of oncologists (Adams, Hill, & Watson, 2013). Read More